A statewide consortium of public and private partners was awarded $20 million in federal funding to accelerate commercialization of advanced forest bioproducts and fuels.
Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub will receive the money from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The consortium is led by the University of Maine and includes the state of Maine and the Maine Technology Institute.
“Low-value wood is an abundant domestic resource with untapped potential to reshore manufacturing and reduce America’s dependence on volatile foreign supply chains,” said Renee Kelly, acting regional innovation officer for the hub and University of Maine’s associate vice president for strategic partnerships, innovation, resources and engagement.
16M acres of forest
Maine has 16 million acres of trees, a forest products research and development network and established infrastructure to harvest and process wood products, Kelly noted.
Maine won the forest bioproducts tech hub designation in 2023 and received $500,000 in federal funding to create the hub. The federal government created the tech hubs program in 2022.
Ready-to-scale
From shipbuilding to infrastructure, trees have fueled the forestry industry for centuries. Shifting markets mean loggers no longer profit from the whole tree, said Kelly.
But low-value wood such as branches and bark has untapped potential, particularly for three ready-to-scale products — aviation fuels, advanced construction systems and packaging, she said.
The national market for alternative aviation fuel is projected to reach $41 billion by 2032, up from $1.7 billion in 2024, according to UMaine.
The advanced construction system sector, such as 3D-printed construction, is showing rapid expansion. Advanced, PFAS-free food packaging materials could rise to $85 billion by 2034, up from $48 billion in 2024.
But moving the products from pilots to full-scale manufacturing “requires massive investment, technology maturation and highly skilled workers,” Kelly noted. “The hub will overcome these barriers with commercial-scale processing, testing and advanced manufacturing,” she said. “We’ll reduce upfront costs through shared equipment and expertise, and train skilled workers through apprenticeships.”
Advanced manufacturing
The focus of the $20 million will be on supporting companies that are converting low-value wood into high-value products in three areas: advanced construction systems, advanced packaging materials and alternative aviation fuels, according to a news release.
Goals include expanding commercial-scale production of new forest products, strengthening manufacturing infrastructure and developing a skilled workforce for the industry.
The hub is structured to help companies overcome common challenges in scaling production of new technologies and to assist them in finding a clear path to market.
UMaine will oversee the hub project area focused on technology development — helping companies develop, test and pilot new products — and coordinate the hub’s governance structure.
Maine Technology Institute will focus on market development for new products by providing vouchers and grants, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding export assistance and attracting investment.
“Market development is often the missing link between a promising technology and a durable business,” said Brian Whitney, MTI’s president.
“MTI is taking on that early risk so our forest bioproducts partners can move faster toward commercialization, strengthen domestic supply chains and create jobs here in Maine.”
The Maine Department of Labor will lead workforce development by creating and scaling registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships aligned with advanced manufacturing and construction needs through the Bioproducts Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program.
