The U.S. Forest Service just released a report about bringing more nanocellulose to market. Cellulosic nanomaterials (or nanocellulose) are tiny structural building blocks derived from woody biomass (like trees). They have great potential for conversion to many new products. Increased nanocellulose production could lead to job growth and help restore some American forests.

The report, Cellulose Nanomaterials – A Path Towards Commercialization Workshop Report, is the product of a May 2014 workshop co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service National Nanotechnology Initiative. Michael Bilodeau, Director of the Process Development Center at the University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute, attended this workshop and presented “Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing.”

According to Mr. Bilodeau, “cellulose nanomaterials represent an emerging class of materials that have a broad range of high value applications.  Maine is well positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for these biobased, renewable materials due to its well established forest products industry, forestland infrastructure, and trained workforce.   Cellulose Nanomaterials may well grow to be one the highest value products produced in the State of Maine.”

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