Airable Research Lab expanding to Shawnee State in hopes of more soybean innovation

By Joel Penhorwood, Ohio Ag Net

A major investment in agricultural research is taking shape in southern Ohio. With $1 million dedicated to renovating and expanding Shawnee State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, Airable Research Lab is setting up a new hub aiming to unlock new market opportunities for soybean-based products.

In February, Barry McGraw, founder of Airable Research Lab, joined Ohio farmers, industry leaders, and dignitaries to celebrate the expansion. Airable Research Lab, a business line of the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC), signed a memorandum of understanding with Shawnee State University to expand operations to a second location, on the Shawnee State campus. The collaboration will benefit students, researchers, and Ohio’s agricultural economy with new capabilities in plastics, robotics and advanced manufacturing, all focused on the creation of new markets for soybean-based products.

“Airable Research Lab started in late 2019–2020 with the whole idea of accelerating commercialization of soy biobased products, working directly with industrial and consumer companies to develop what they need versus just doing research.… Continue reading