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The University of Maine announced Tuesday that it has been awarded a $6.9 million research grant to conduct forest bioproduct research, which could help the state’s paper mills build the first integrated biorefinery in the country.
“The University of Maine is the economic catalyst for the state,” said Gov. John Baldacci. “With this federal grant, Maine will again propel forward in the critical research and development that will enable us to better compete in the 21st century economy.”
The biorefining process will extract chemicals from wood chips before they are processed into pulp.
The extracted chemicals could be used in place of oil for in-house manufacturing of fuel ethanol, plastics and chemical coatings.
The process is designed to allow the state’s mills to create new revenue streams without effecting traditional production.
“This is truly a significant day for the University of Maine, for the state of Maine, and for the people of Maine,” said UMaine President Robert Kennedy. “UMaine has a responsibility to be the harbinger of scientific discovery and, in many ways, the bellwether of economic prosperity.
“This project enables UMaine to ensure our role in the state’s economy with the creation of new jobs, with the ability to perform research and develop ideas that create and enhance industry and with unique, highly relevant educational opportunities,” said Kennedy.
The grant, which will run until 2009, is from the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The university is investing $3.45 million in the project from its research and development fund, the Maine Economic Improvement Fund.
Approximately 45 jobs will be added, in addition to positions for graduate and undergraduate students, administrative and technical staff. Three new faculty positions and post-doctoral programs will also be created.
A component of the research will focus on how to sustain forest land. It will incorporate specialists in forest-specific research, land owners and researchers in resource economics and policy in an effort to find ways to make forests healthier.
“By taking this ‘holistic’ approach, Maine has the opportunity to build on our current knowledge and history in forest-based industries,” said Hermant Pendse, managing director of the grant and chairman of the department of chemical and biological engineering.
“We have momentum to build a vibrant, globally competitive, brand new industry that’s more efficient, high-valued and also environmentally cleaner.”
