E2Tech Forum: The Future of the Forestry Industry & Biobased Maine

Tuesday May 19

Holiday Inn By The Bay, Casco Bay Hall, 88 Spring Street, Portland

7:15 am to 11:30 am

Please join us for this special two panel event! This event will focus on two topics: 

  • The Future of the Forestry Industry and
  • Biobased Maine

REGISTER HERE

Agenda:
7:15 – 8:00 am: networking breakfast
8:00 – 9:30 am: The Future of the Forestry Industry Panel
9:30 – 10:00 am: networking break
10:00 – 11:30 am: Biobased Maine Panel
 
The Future of the Forestry Industry
 
Maine’s environmental, energy, and clean technology sector is intricately linked to Maine’s forestry industry. When compared to the other technology-based sectors in the State, the 12,212 direct jobs in the clean technology sector rank second only to forest products and agriculture with 38,043 jobs (2010). On energy, woody biomass is used for the generation of electricity and heat for industrial applications, especially forest product companies, and in co-generation plants for utility scale electricity production. On the environment, states and localities are developing adaptation plans to manage the expected impacts from climate change, including changing agricultural and forestry yields, and spruce budworm infestation. On the economy, $1 out of every $16 in Maine’s gross state product and 1 out of every 20 jobs is associated with the forest products sector. The total economic impact is about $8 billion! (source: Maine Forest Products Council) The environmental, energy, and economic impacts of this sector are immense!
 
Following up on E2Tech’s 2014 forum on reinventing Maine’s pulp, paper, and forest products industry, E2Tech welcomes Maine’s forestry leaders and their prognosis on a future of opportunities – wood pellets, sustainable forestry – and challenges – spruce budworm, competition for the wood basket supply.
 
Biobased Maine
 
E2Tech is pleased to host Biobased Maine and its Board of Directors for a special forum designed to introduce attendees to a business alliance that promotes the sustainable use of renewable biomass from forests, farms, and sea to manufacture the next generation of biobased chemicals, materials, and fuels. Global demand for biobased products is growing and Maine has the potential to supply products through its abundant biomass (trees), dedicated workforce, world-class research and development capabilities, and existing industrial infrastructure. Come learn about some of these innovative companies and their biobased manufacturing in Maine.
  • Grow-Tech – James Chittum, Director of Business Development: Grow-Tech and how they make advanced growth media for greenhouse and other horticultural applications using a variety of bio-based materials, including polylactic acid (PLA), which is made from corn starch.
  • Cerealus – Tony Jabar, Founder & CEO: Bio-based polymers and other products that are used in the pulp and paper industry to improve performance and cut costs.
  • University of Maine Process Development Center – Michael Bilodeau, Director: Exciting applications for nano cellulose, which is a very hot topic these days and a specific area of focus for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Colgate-Palmolive – Mark Dobrovolny, Director, Strategic Supplier Innovation Alliances: Tom’s of Maine is a leading natural care company that sells high-quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap, and body wash products and uses sustainable packaging throughout its product line.

Thank you to our Sponsors

  

 


 

  

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