About the PDC
The Process Development Center (PDC) offers a broad range of technical services and resources in traditional pulp and paper and in emerging process technologies and materials science. The PDC also is the only publicly accessible facility in the United States that can manufacture cellulose nanofibers (CNF) at a rate of one ton per day. The center is one of the top cellulose nanomaterials suppliers in the world, providing nanomaterials to researchers and application developers at hundreds of businesses, laboratories and educational institutions in more than 40 countries. Thanks to PDC’s leadership in this area, UMaine is at the heart of Nanocellulose Valley.
Learn more about PDC’s Nanocellulose Production
Director: Colleen Walker
Location: 5737 Jenness Hall, University of MaineOrono, ME 04468 Email: umaine.pdc@maine.edu Phone: 207-581-2237
Technical Capabilities & CNF Processing Equipment
The Nanomaterial Pilot Plant at the Process Development Center is a fee-for-service facility that clients can use to advance their own research and development projects. The purpose of the facility and the program is to develop scalable methods to convert wood components into high-performance nano materials and improve methods to isolate and characterize the various forms of nanocellulose.
- 100 gal. Black Clawson repulper
- 2000 gal. GL&V repulper
- 13” disc refiner – in line or recirculating; variable speed drive
- 20” disc refiner – in line or recirculating; variable speed drive with anti-clash unit
- Masuko pilot scale and bench top supermass colloider
- GEA spray dryer
- Centrisorter
- Various centricleaner systems
- PFI mill
- 1,000 gal. machine chest
- 1,000 gal. blend chest
- (2) 1,500 gal. stock chests
- (2) 3,000 gal. stock chests