Soy candles

A researcher from Iowa State University has developed a method to produce candle wax from soybeans.

The new soy wax burns without producing black smoke or soot, making it cleaner than traditional waxes made from petroleum paraffin and beeswax.

Soy-based candles have been manufactured for a long time, but until now the wax in those candles had problems.

‘Candle wax made from soy was either too soft and greasy, like cooking shortening, or it was brittle and crumbly,’ said Tong Wang, an associate professor in food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University.

Because of the consistency of the wax, there were limitations on the types of candles that could be made with it.

‘You could only make soy candles in a jar,’ Wang said.