Innovation with biobased feedstocks continues to advance across industries, and the fire and safety market is no exception. For decades, firefighters have relied on foam retardants that proved effective in suppressing fires—but often came with unintended environmental and health impacts. A new solution is helping change that narrative.
Enter SoyFoam™ TF 1122, a fluorine free, biobased, biodegradable firefighting foam concentrate manufactured by Georgia-based Cross Plains Solutions. Made from U.S.-grown soy and other agricultural products, SoyFoam™ TF 1122 is engineered to deliver effective fire suppression while prioritizing the safety of firefighters, communities, and surrounding ecosystems.
The product has demonstrated strong vapor suppression across a range of Class B hydrocarbon fuels as well as Class A woodland materials, making it a versatile tool for both structural and wildland firefighting. Designed for seamless adoption, SoyFoam™ TF 1122 requires no special handling and works with traditional foam concentrate dispensing equipment, allowing departments to transition without operational changes.
Momentum behind soy-based firefighting foam is growing nationwide. In 2025, Clinchco Volunteer Fire Department became the first department in Virginia to adopt SoyFoam™ TF 1122. The decision reflects a broader shift away from traditional foams containing harmful PFAS chemicals, while also supporting American farmers. The United Soybean Board and qualified state soybean boards, overseen by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, have funded SoyFoam research and promotion through checkoffs.
Other departments are seeing results as well. The Casselton Fire Department in North Dakota successfully deployed SoyFoam™ during a fast-moving wildfire. “We used SoyFoam both for initial extinguishment in grass and shelter belts and during mop-up of heavy timber and railroad ties scattered along the right-of-way,” said John Hejl, Fire Chief of Casselton, ND. “Its ability to break water’s surface tension helped it soak deeper into dense fuels—and because it’s people- and environmentally friendly, we could use it confidently in our community without worrying about harmful aftereffects.”
In addition to its performance benefits, SoyFoam™ TF 1122 is certified readily biodegradable by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, with a verified biobased content of 84 percent.
Current formulations have the potential to utilize protein from more than 43 million bushels of soybeans annually, highlighting the product’s role in supporting sustainable agriculture alongside public safety.
Originally shared by the USDA BioPreferred Program. Image Credit: United Soybean Board – SoyBiobased.