FBRI Tech Center Helps Lead the Way in Bioresources
In March 2006, Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine received a $6.9M NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) award to create the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative (FBRI). This initiative is just completing the three-year NSF EPSCoR RII project, and has already become one of the state’s premier research entities. FBRI has directly supported over 150 researchers, postdocs, graduate, undergraduate, and high school students, and generated over $21.5M in additional funding to sustain its research agenda.
In April 2008 the U.S. Department of Energy selected Red Shield Environmental, in partnership with the FBRI, to receive a $30 million award to design, build and operate a small-scale commercial integrated biorefinery at its pulp mill in Old Town, Maine. The foundation for this project involves the transfer of technology from FBRI labs to private industry, and would create a forest-based cellulosic biofuel value stream for the mill in addition to its normal pulping process. In August 2008 FBRI was also selected to receive $4.8M from the Maine Technology Asset Fund to create a supporting Technology Center on the mill site, which would allow FBRI researchers to work closely with plant technicians in the development of additional technologies, and to provide on-site training.
However, plans were put on hold last November when the mill was forced to close due to poor market conditions for pulp, resulting in major layoffs. The potential of FBRI’s new pre-pulping extraction technology, the DOE biorefinery funding, and the pending FBRI Technology Center provided a strong attraction in obtaining a new owner. The mill has now reopened as Old Town Fuel and Fiber and will undergo renovations to transform the traditional pulp mill into a combined pulp and biofuel plant that will put 170 people back to work. In addition, the new mill owners have offered a rent-free fifteen-year lease for the new FBRI Technology Center. Maine’s Governor John Baldacci proudly noted that “In the midst of a national recession, when daily headlines are focused on downsizing companies, we are announcing the re-opening and re-tooling of a Maine facility in one of our state’s most important industries.”
The re-opening of the mill is significant not only for the jobs being created, but it’s a key example of how cutting-edge technology arising from UMaine’s research labs can contribute to economic viability and sustainability Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative Biorefinery & Technology Center for the state. According to Governor Baldacci, Maine is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing support for renewable energy to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, and FBRI researchers will continue to examine other means of utilizing pulp-processing waste for renewable fuels and green chemicals. By finding creative and more efficient ways to utilize wood-based resources, FBRI can help to transform the state’s traditional forest products industries and significantly contribute to Maine’s environmental and economic sustainability.
For a more complete description of the FBRI project, please visit their website: http://www.forestbioproducts.umaine.edu/
