Hanjiang (John) Xu serves as director of the Multiphase Forming Lab at Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI), where he leads efforts to advance more efficient and sustainable approaches to paper formation. 

The Multiphase Forming Lab is the only system of its kind in North America, designed to significantly reduce the amount of water required in the papermaking process. Lowering water usage—by up to 70 percent—the system also reduces the heat and energy needed for drying, one of the most energy-intensive stages in production. This work has direct implications for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices across the industry. 

Xu brings more than 20 years of experience in laboratory and pilot-scale papermaking systems, with expertise spanning fluid mechanics, materials science, instrumentation development, and process design. His work has consistently focused on bridging research and application, supporting both product development and process optimization. 

Xu works with RBI members and industry partners to apply research insights to real-world manufacturing challenges, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and advancing next generation bioproducts.  

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