The University of Maine is set to receive a $20 million federal investment to enhance the state’s forest products industry through the Tech Hub initiative. This funding follows the Forest Opportunity Roadmap initiative (FOR-ME), aimed at revitalizing the industry after the closure of several paper mills.
Researchers have developed innovative technology to repurpose low-value wood—materials that typically can’t be used for furniture—into aviation fuel, construction materials, and plastic-like packaging. This aim is to maximize the utility of trees, especially as fewer mills remain to process these resources.
Officials have set an ambitious goal to double the size of Maine’s forest products industry in ten years and create 2,000 jobs, with aspirations to gain global attention for the state’s initiatives in this sector.
