US Senator Angus King and US Rep. Mike Michaud on campus for ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cellulose Nanofiber Pilot Plant

 

Cellulose Nanofiber Pilot Plant Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on April 3, 2013

Mary Butler, a sophomore from Bangor High School who won first place in the National Science Fair competition for her research on cellulose, being recognized by Dr. Pendse
Mary Butler, a sophomore from Bangor High School who won first place in the National Science Fair  competition for her research on cellulose, being recognized by Dr. Pendse
Acting Director Michael Rains, USDA Forest Services
Acting Director Michael Rains, USDA Forest Services

 

The university celebrated the opening of its Cellulose Nanofiber Pilot Plant, which is capable of producing up to a ton of nanofiber per day, making it unique in the United States, according to Hemant Pendse, director of the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. The plant was funded through a $1.5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The keynote speaker of the event was Michael Rains, Acting Director of USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.

University of Maine researchers updated more than 300 forestry and paper industry officials, stakeholders and politicians on what the university’s research could mean for the future during the first day of the 63rd annual Paper Days at UMaine.  UMaine is currently leading in recent research for alternative bioproducts from wood.  Sean Ireland, manager of new technologies and market ventures for Verso Paper Inc  pointed out that Maine’s extensive experience in harvesting, managing and sustaining swaths of forest for the paper industry place it in an ideal position to lead the nation in the nanofiber industry. Other speakers at the event were US Senator Angus King, US Representative Mike Michaud, and UMaine President Dr. Paul Ferguson.

US Senator Angus King
US Senator Angus King
US Representative Mike Michaud
US Representative Mike Michaud

Many local media covered the event.  Following are some of them:

http://mainecampus.com/2013/04/08/paper-days-showcases-new-cellulose-nanofiber-pilot-plant-gives-look-at-maines-future/

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/03/news/bangor/umaines-paper-days-focuses-on-future-of-nanofibers-biofuels-and-industries-that-will-benefit-maine/

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/237983/2/UMaine-home-to-nations-first-Cellulose-Nanofiber-Pilot-Plant

http://www.mainebiz.biz/article/20130429/CURRENTEDITION/304259999/1088

http://www.wabi.tv/news/38995/umaine-shows-off-one-of-a-kind-machinery-at-its-paper-da