Their IFPR (Integrated Forest Products Refinery) work focuses on the production of polymers and biofuels from hemicelluloses extracted from wood chips before they are used for pulp production. The rational for the IFPR is twofold. First, the US pulp and paper industry needs new income to remain viable with the emergence of very large and technologically advanced mills in tropical countries which also have advantages in terms of wood and labor cost. Since US mills already have environmental permits and the infrastructure to handle forest biomass material, the integrated production of high value-added biofuels and new biomaterials from waste streams would lead to competitive synergies, new markets and increased product flexibility. Secondly, fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions and foreign fossil fuel dependence must be reduced. Managed forests have enormous untapped potential as a carbon neutral resource for renewable and biodegradable materials.

FBRI Interview 07/18/07

http://efolio.umeedu.maine.edu/~tvassiliev/FBRI/Investigators/SaraWalton.m4a