News From Maine’s Forests

New UMaine equipment will turn twigs and tree bark into jet fuel and heating oil

With help from federal funding, two forest bioproducts processing plants at the University of Maine will upgrade their equipment to expand their research into finding renewable energy uses for wood byproducts, such as jet fuel or home heating oil.

$4.8M will upgrade Forest Bioproducts Research Institute facilities, bolster bioproduct research

The University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) will upgrade its Technology Research Center (TRC) in Old Town and Process Development Center (PDC) in Jenness Hall to bolster ongoing efforts to create new bioproducts, increase production and find uses for woody biomass materials typically considered waste.

The University of Maine continues renewable fuel research

To meet the increasing need for sustainable and efficient fuel resources, Defense Logistics Agency Energy is teaming with the University of Maine to transform forest residues, sawmill residues, municipal solid waste, and construction wood wastes into a hydrocarbon fuel oil.

Building Bone and Beyond

“Biomaterials that address existing and emerging challenges in human health are in high demand, and this is another area in which nanocellulose shows real promise.” Nanocellulose can be used in many applications, but new nanocellulose composite material developed at UMaine is engineered to contain a similar structure to bone which could lead to health care […]

Company plans biorefinery for zero-emission heating oil in Maine

Biofine Developments Northeast Inc. of Bangor has formed a partnership with Sprague Resources LP to produce a patented biofuel made from forest product waste. A research and development company that has spent nearly 20 years honing new ways to turn woody waste into commercially viable energy and chemicals says it is close to building a […]

Thumbnail from video title screen on Maine's Forests

“Maine’s Forests” – Age of Nature Presentation

This Age of Nature lecture presentation is organized by Maine Public. Age of Nature is an upcoming TV series on PBS and will air locally on Maine Public Television. Maine Public has partnered with The Nature Conservancy in Maine, as well as the Maine Education Association and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, to put together a series […]

Small homes made of Maine materials could boost economy, aid climate, council says

From WashingtonExaminer The Maine Climate Council has suggested a strategy that draws on the potential for constructing fuel efficient, modestly priced homes with locally sourced wood to help address the state’s affordable housing shortage while boosting the economy. Sustainably harvested wood – particularly when transport is minimal – is more sensible when compared with steel […]

Wood waste converted into jet fuel, it’s happening in Maine

From NewsCenter Maine Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development says it is starting to partner with companies as the commercialization biofuels progress in Maine. “It’s really about diversification of our heritage industries,” says Commissioner Heather Johnson. “We have a bunch of wood residuals… to support long term reductions in greenhouse gases and additives to […]

photo of a 3D boat printed at the university of maine

$5M Navy Contract Goes to UMaine and Navatek to Advance Maritime 3D Printing

From 3DPrint.com What’s particularly interesting is the approach with materials that is being taken for large-scale additive manufacturing in boat building. While typical molds are expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, this 3D printed is focused on producing large-scale structures using thermoplastics combined with bio-based (cellulose nanofibers (CNF), or wood cellulose) materials. These materials would provide comparable […]

photo of particle board created using an environmentally friendly binding agent

UMaine’s new patent leverages the state’s forest products industry

From Mainebiz The University of Maine has received a patent for a process that creates construction materials using an environmentally friendly binding agent. The process developed by UMaine researchers eliminates the use of formaldehyde as a binding agent for construction materials such as particleboard, and replaces it with a slurry of cellulose nanofibrils, according to […]