{"380491":{"#nid":"380491","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New materials research brings pulp and paper rebirth","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter years of downsizing, the pulp, paper and packaging business \u2014 one of Georgia\u2019s largest industries \u2014 is quietly being revitalized. While the Internet and other electronic devices have led to reduced paper use, several Atlanta companies and researchers are developing new uses for paper and wood-based products.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003ETheir efforts likely will have a significant impact on local businesses and give new vitality to an industry that has been a mainstay to the Georgia economy for decades.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe pulp, paper and packaging business in Georgia is valued at $11 billion and employs nearly 19,000 people. Two major corporations that produce these materials \u2014 Georgia-Pacific and RockTenn\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u2014 are headquartered in this state. The revitalization is led by companies and researchers\u0026nbsp;developing new materials from trees to partially replace plastics and metal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EThese new, wood-based materials are lighter and stronger than some metals, which appeals to manufacturers. And because they are made from wood, they are sustainable and can be recycled \u2014 the ultimate win-win scenario.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of the best examples of these entrepreneurial companies is American Process, a privately held firm based in Midtown. It developed a proprietary manufacturing process\u0026nbsp;to make nanocellulose, a renewable material derived from wood fiber. American Process plans to begin operating the nation\u2019s first commercial nanocellulose plant, in Thomaston, by April.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EWorking with several research universities, American Process is developing ultra-strong, lightweight components for automobiles reinforced with nanocellulose. The goal is to replace heavy steel structures, such as seat frames, with nanocellulose composites, which are lighter and cost less than the carbon fibers used now.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech\u2019s Renewable Bioproducts Institute are also on the cutting edge of these changes. Robert Moon, a Tech adjunct professor, is working to increase the strength of cement while reducing the cost to produce it by adding nano-cellulose crystals. Moon\u2019s role\u0026nbsp;is to accelerate research and development of nanocellulose at Tech and throughout the region.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EKyriaki Kalaitzidou, another Tech researcher, is also exploring the use of nanocellulose to reduce vehicle weights. She recently received funding to find out if these materials can make Yahama\u2019s Newnanproduced golf carts and Wave-Runners lighter and stronger.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the hub of these changes is the Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. Headquartered in Peachtree Corner\u2019s Technology Park, TAPPI is the leading technical association for the pulp, paper, tissue, packaging and converting industries. It has more than 7,500 members in 66 countries and has been driving education, professional development and technological advancements in the industry for almost a century.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003ETAPPI is also changing with\u0026nbsp;the times. With the establishment of a new international Nanotechnology Division, TAPPI has begun creating nanocellulose standards and is working with some of the leading experts in this field to shape innovation and set the stage for commercial application and consumer use of these sustainable, green products.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs nanocellulose technology continues to advance, TAPPI is working with some of the largest manufacturers and suppliers to educate the public on \u201crethinking trees\u201d and how this industry will impact the economy, create new employment opportunities and generate growth for Georgia. With new companies and research in metro Atlanta at the forefront of paper technology, TAPPI is well positioned to take advantage of its technical expertise and apply it to the local economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELarry Montague is president of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"After years of downsizing, industry reviving"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor\u2019s Note:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;This article appeared in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on December 30, 2014. The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) owns all rights to its content.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"While the Internet and other electronic devices have led to reduced paper use, several Atlanta companies and researchers are developing new uses for paper and wood-based products."}],"uid":"28159","created_gmt":"2015-02-20 15:04:04","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:02:42","author":"Kelly Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2014-12-30T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2014-12-30T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"380501":{"id":"380501","type":"image","title":"RBI Montague, Larry","body":null,"created":"1449246214","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:23:34","changed":"1475894390","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:39:50","alt":"RBI Montague, Larry","file":{"fid":"75258","name":"rbi_montague_larry.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/rbi_montague_larry.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/rbi_montague_larry.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":83492,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/rbi_montague_larry.jpg?itok=UrLtndvX"}}},"media_ids":["380501"],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4187","name":"packaging"},{"id":"2106","name":"Paper"},{"id":"67581","name":"pulp"},{"id":"119231","name":"renewable bioproducts"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKelly B. Smith, Communications Manager, RBI\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["kelly.smith@rbi.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}