FPL to Open Nanocellulose Pilot Plant to Produce Wood-derived Renewable Materials

MADISON, Wis. -- The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is poised to become one of the countrys leading producer of forest-based nanomaterials with the opening of a $1.7 million nanocellulose pilot plant. The facility will support an emerging market for new wood-derived renewable materials that will create jobs and contribute an estimated $600 billion to the economy by 2020.

The United States and other nations will see numerous benefits from the commercialization of wood-derived cellulosic nanomaterials, as they have many desirable characteristics. They can be stronger than Kevlar fiber and provide high strength with low weight. These attributes have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass, as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical device industries.

As new lightweight, high-performance products are developed and commercialized, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, manufacturing in rural areas will increase, and many new high-paying jobs will be created. FPLs new facility will aid in the commercialization of these materials by providing researchers and early adopters of the technology with working quantities of forest-based nanomaterials.

For over 100 years, FPLs work with academia, industry, and other government agencies has led to ground-breaking discoveries with great benefit to the public.

About FPL

For almost 100 years, FPLs mission has been to use the Nations wood resources wisely and efficiently, while at the same time keeping forests healthy. Their research began with preserving railroad ties, and now they are venturing into nanotechnology and finding ways that their research can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The FPL research staff has the experience and expertise needed to make them world renowned among forest products research organizations and an unbiased source of information. FPL researchers have longevity, with an average of 20 years of experience in their related fields.