Soy-based foam to replace firefighting forever chemicals

November 3, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

Wooden pallets glowed in the early evening as firefighters gathered near Goodell to trial a new, soy-based firefighting suppressant.

Brent Renner, a Klemme farmer currently serving on the United Soybean Board (USB), looked on, thrilled to find another avenue for soybeans that is safe for his community's firefighters.

"What excites me most is that this product not only provides a safer option for firefighters, but it also helps us put more soybean meal to work instead of just oil," says Renner, who recently retired from service to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. "It's another meaningful way to add value to the soybeans we grow."

Renner brought the product in front of his area firefighting departments, who agreed to demonstrate the foam during a training session.

Traditional firefighting foams have used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for decades.

Often referred to as "forever chemicals" they pose environmental and health risks because they are resistant to breaking down in the environment and are now directly linked to increased health issues, including cancer.

"Our firefighters have a 72 percent increase in cancer rates because of their job description compared to other occupations in the general public," says Dave Garlie, chief technology officer with Cross Plains Solutions. "Why? Because of exposure to volatile toxic organic chemicals derived from toxic synthetic petroleum feedstocks like the aqueous film forming foams made from PFAS."

There's a month — January — devoted to raising awareness of cancer linked to the firefighting occupation.

Change is already underway. Legislation at the federal and state levels is phasing out PFAS-based foams for most applications. But what replacement for this foam is available and effective?

"How do we address it? You get rid of the bad chemistry," Garlie says. "The problem is, for decades, there wasn't a replacement."

Enter: the soybean industry.

Checkoff dollars are being invested in research to develop alternatives like SoyFoam. Using the meal component of the soybean, this soybean-based foam meets performance needs while eliminating the environmental, health, and safety concerns.

SoyFoam is already being used by fire departments across the Midwest. Garlie, whose company produces the fire suppressant, says the company is working to move the product through a series of certifications so it can be used in a wider range of applications, including naval ships, aircraft carriers, oil refineries and forestry operations.

"On a Navy ship, for example, foam has to perform in saltwater, not just freshwater," Garlie says. "In oil and gas, the foam must smother fuel-based fires. Forestry operations need a solution that can be safely applied from airplanes or helicopters. Each of these applications requires its own certification."

Despite the hurdles, Garlie is optimistic about what SoyFoam can offer.

"At the end of the day, firefighters need a tool they're used to using, know how to use and can trust to work," he says. "SoyFoam gives them that without the risks of PFAS or other harmful toxic substances."

According to Garlie, SoyFoam is currently the only GreenScreen Certified GOLD rated firefighting foam in the world, which is a reflective score on its environmental health and safety.

"It's not just about replacing what's been used for decades; it's about protecting the people who protect our communities," says Garlie.

"We want to be transparent with firefighters, first responders and our communities about what's in SoyFoam, so they can trust it is fit-for-use as an alternative fire suppressant and retardant."

Kenny Wieland has served on the Klemme Fire Department for 40 years. For much of that time, he and his crew relied on PFAS foam. Now aware of the risks, the department has restricted its use over the past decade, reserving it only for true emergencies.

Wieland says he is impressed with SoyFoam's performance and hopes to acquire it for use at the Klemme Fire Department.

"I think this is the greatest thing we have heard about in a long time," says Wieland, chief of the Klemme Fire Department. "We have been concerned about the dangers of foam for decades and have been hoping a safer product would come out."

The new foam offers both peace of mind and practical benefits.

"So far, it seems to perform like the foam we've been using — without the cancer risk that's always been in the back of our minds," says Ryan Meyer, chief of the Goodell Fire Department. "That's one less thing to worry about, especially during training. And for a small department like ours with limited water, foam helps every drop go further."

What is SoyFoam?

SoyFoam TF-1122 is a "fluorine-free" biobased, biodegradable, and certifiable direct release to our environment firefighting foam concentrate. This product is made from U.S. soy and other agricultural products. SoyFoam TF-1122 is engineered to be a safe fire combatant while also protecting our firefighters and our communities. There are no special handling requirements, and it is designed to work with traditional foam concentrate dispensing equipment.

Written by Kriss Nelson.

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