AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF)
has finalized a licensing agreement for a novel soy-based wax
process with SoyaWax International, a Cedar Rapids
company.
Soy-based candles have been manufactured for a long time, but
until now, the wax in those candles was either too soft or
brittle and crumbly, according to Tong Wang, associate
professor in food science and human nutrition at Iowa State
University and inventor of the new wax technology.
Wang found a way to make a better soy-based wax by changing the
internal structure of this soy material. This new technology
may have significant economic and environmental benefits that
led to a patent application filed and owned by ISURF.
Licensing of intellectual property by ISURF to qualified
Iowa-based companies contributes to economic development in the
state.
"ISURF is constantly working to get ISU-developed
technology to the market," said Renate Hippen of Iowa
State University's Office of Intellectual Property and
Technology Transfer. "And when we work with an Iowa
company, it has the potential to contribute to economic
development of the state."
Michael Richards, founder and president of SoyaWax
International, who initiated soy wax development in 1993,
thinks the new soy-based wax will be in great demand for
candles and packaging applications.
"The wax industry uses about 10 billion pounds each
year," said Richards. "Fifty percent of that is used
for candles and another 30 percent on coating for corrugated
boxes and other packaging materials."
Richards says the new soy-based wax can be an earth-friendly
substitute in both of those industries.
ISURF's mission is to establish mutually beneficial
agreements and relationships with Iowa-based companies that are
capable of development and commercialization of university
technologies that will benefit both the university and the
public. The ISURF office serves as the university's primary
source of knowledge on intellectual property.