This program area identifies and develops new products and processes for wood related industries. Please see our links below for more information about two current projects. If you would like more detailed information, please use our contact form.
Overview
Our staff is committed to serving the Minnesota forest products industry and companies across the Midwest region. With
over 43,000 Minnesotans employed in this industry, it is vital to keep companies profitable – we accomplish this by
searching the world for new technology transfer opportunities. Our program is designed for close collaboration with industrial
and entrepreneurial partners to develop new products and processes.
Goal
We are a leader in wood products research and development, and our goal is to develop know-how with tangible, real-world applications. We achieve this goal by leading innovation with high-risk research to develop new manufacturing processes and products, and by providing both market research and market development services.
Areas of Expertise
Engineered composite product and process development
Value-added case-goods, millwork, and fenestration product development
Advanced building systems research
Wood-to-wood connection technology
Resource assessment
Wood products market research and development
Direct contract services
Capabilities
We work with clients in all aspects of composite product development – from fiber preparation to mechanical and physical performance testing of the final products. Our Pilot Production Facility includes a comprehensive and flexible development line for fiber preparation, blending, forming, and hot-pressing panels as large as 4’ x 8’. We also have a complete facility for analyzing the mechanical and physical performance of all types of wood- and agricultural-fiber based products.
Clients
Project partners include Armstrong, Eltomation BV, Ferche Millwork, the FiberClay Council, Georgia-Pacific, Glen Oak Lumber and Milling, Hill Wood Products, Lake States Lumber, Lexington Manufacturing, MR Fence Tech, Northern Contours, Northern Sheer Veneer, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Gypsum, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Woodline Manufacturing.
