Georgia Tech’s Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), in collaboration with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, conducted a workshop on the use of non-forest or alternative-sourced fibers for fiber-based products. Entitled "Opportunities and Challenges in the Utilization of Alternative Fibers: A Sourcing, Environmental, Economic and Policy Discussion," the workshop brought together experts from government, universities, representatives of environmental non-governmental agencies and the public sector to explore the implications of large-scale use of alternative fibers. The workshop sessions reviewed alternative fiber sourcing and conversion technology, environmental and economic impacts from non-forest fiber generation and use, and the policy and regulatory issues of alternative fibers.

A common theme throughout the conference was the opportunity to leverage for the paper and tissue markets the investment and development being made in energy crops for biofuel production. The fiber from these non-wood agricultural crops, which was designed for conversion to biofuels such as ethanol, would be available in large quantities for the production of paper products. The Workshop participants agreed that synergy could exist among paper and energy markets. Life-cycle analysis of the impact on water and carbon cycles, including GHGs, was agreed to be an important contribution toward assessing environmental impact and policy debate.

Led by Dr. Valerie Thomas of ISyE and Dr. Norman Marsolan of IPST, the workshop took place Aug. 28, 2012, in Atlanta. Twenty-four representatives from four companies, two NGOs, three Federal and State organizations, and four universities discussed the challenges and opportunities of sourcing paper and tissue from non-forest fiber. Georgia Tech’s core industry research center of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology hosted this gathering of thought leaders to provide new and valuable insights for those involved in the production of alternative fiber-based products.

The workshop supports IPST’s mission of providing world class research and knowledge to the fiber-based industry. Kimberly-Clark supported and participated in the workshop to further its understanding of alternative-fiber sustainability as part of a commitment to achieve a 50% reduction in its use of wood fiber from natural forests by the year 2025 (http://investor.kimberly-clark.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=683471).

For more details on Workshop outcomes, see “Opportunities and Challenges in the Utilization of Alternative Fibers:
A Sourcing, Environmental, Economic and Policy Discussion” at www.ipst.gatech.edu/kcc.