February 20, 2025
Partnership with Airable Research Lab to Create Innovation Ecosystem at Shawnee State
Airable Research Lab, founded by SSU alumnus Barry McGraw, is locating a second site at Shawnee State University and is investing $1 million toward the renovation and expansion of the SSU Advanced Manufacturing Center. This Center will bring new capabilities in plastics, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. The renovated facility will be complete in Fall 2026.
“This partnership presents incredible opportunities for students in our College of Business & Engineering Technology programs – particularly plastics engineering technology — and increases capacity and impact of Airable Research Lab on research and development of sustainable polymers made from soybeans,” President Eric Braun said.
Airable is a business line of the Ohio Soybean Council and focuses on research and development of soybean products including environmentally friendly oils, fuel, adhesives, solvents, and plastics.
“Our board consists of 18 members who are all farmers,” McGraw, who serves as Chief Laboratory Officer at Airable, told a crowd of Airable and SSU leaders who attended the SSU Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, February 14. “Our primary focus is to develop soy-based materials and products for industrial and consumer companies – increasing the demand for soybeans.”
Soybeans are Ohio’s #1 acreage crop and #1 export crop. Soybeans generate over $6 billion in annual revenue in Ohio and almost $8 billion in economic impact, supporting thousands of Ohio jobs.
“This partnership is good for Shawnee State, Airable, and soybean farmers,” Braun said. “Right here in South Central Ohio, our regional farmers produce nearly 14% of Ohio's total soybean production. That's over 38 million bushes — or roughly 2.2 billion pounds of soybeans — produced by farms big and small throughout our local communities.”
Braun added that the partnership between SSU and Airable will create an Innovation Ecosystem at Shawnee State that will give its students experiences unlike any other in Ohio, putting them at the forefront of development of sustainable polymers.
“Shawnee is committed to aligning programs with the needs of business and industry in Ohio and creating hands-on experiences for students,” he said. “I'm proud of this strategic partnership — and others in development — that demonstrates the impact that our educational programs have on the success of our students, regional industries, and all who live, work, and learn in Ohio.”
Shawnee State is The Regional Public University for South Central Ohio. Braun said the university is doing its part in strengthening the communities it serves.
