IPST Meeting of Members Focuses on Forest Biomaterials

The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga., USA, held its 2012 Meeting of Members, "Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Advance Forest Biomaterials Business," April 10 - 11 in the Tricentennial Building. Twenty-two member company representatives and four affiliate organizations attended the meeting.

The meeting format reflected the urging from members to provide more interaction with IPST's graduate students. Accordingly, each section of the meeting featured student speakers reporting on their industry research. A total of 24 students presented posters at a reception in the Tricentennial lobby, in which there was significant member and faculty interest.

Sessions on IPST's three strategic thrust areas—biorefining, new products from forest biomaterials, and operational excellence—featured student presentations of their research and faculty experts on developments and opportunities in the fields.

Presentations and abstracts of the posters will be posted on the IPST web site in a few days.

Georgia Tech's EVP for Research, Steve Cross, called IPST a clear example of the kind of industry-centric research that Tech is promoting to drive advancements in industry and manufacturing. IPST has been designated one of 12 strategic research centers on the Georgia Tech campus.

TAPPI
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