Georgia’s forest industry faces severe challenges, including mill closures, extreme weather, and market instability, affecting landowners and the entire wood products supply chain. The center is committed to accelerating innovation in wood utilization. Leveraging institutional resources, the center aims to support families and businesses that depend on forestry while fostering industry renewal.
The team is actively collaborating with policymakers, industry leaders, and academic partners to develop solutions for woody biomass utilization and biorefining technologies. Recent efforts include meetings with Georgia legislators, participation in forestry conferences, and joint grant applications. The center will be hosting meetings to share advancements in creating high-value chemicals and materials from woody biomass.
Current priorities include scaling technologies, planning pilot plants, and commercializing innovations such as kerogenesis-bypass processes, biochar applications, and sustainable products like pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. These initiatives position the center as a catalyst for transforming Georgia’s forest economy.
- Industry Renewal: the center is driving innovation to address Georgia’s forestry challenges through advanced wood utilization technologies.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic experts are central to the center’s approach.
- Commercialization Focus: Efforts include pilot plant development and sustainable products like biochar-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.