The forest product industry’s Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance conducted the second of two open forums December 10 in Chicago, Ill., USA, seeking input on priority technology breakthroughs to increase the industry’s resource efficiency and competitiveness. More than 40 representatives of universities, companies, government agencies, and associations participated.

 

"Agenda 2020’s vision for 2030 involves radical improvements in energy and water productivity, and in the sustainability of our products and processes," said executive director David Turpin. "We appreciate the perspectives of the experts who joined these forums to focus our vision and identify opportunities to achieve those goals." 

 

The forums were conducted with support from a grant from the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The AMTech program supports basic and applied research on long-term, pre-competitive, and enabling technology development, aimed at strengthening the capacity of U.S. industry and the nation to compete in global markets.

 

In January, Agenda 2020 will select six areas for in-depth investigation under the grant based on input from the two open forums and on research roadmaps developed by technical teams over the last year and a half. Earlier in the week, Agenda 2020 received reports from these teams, which had been commissioned by the Agenda 2020 board of directors to identify pathways toward achieving its energy, efficiency, and competitiveness objectives. 

 

Those who missed the forums can still provide input on the Agenda 2020 website. For further information, please contact David Turpin, Agenda 2020 executive director.