Natural Resources Research Institute

NRRI is back to full operations, but due to some substantial construction projects, many of our staff continue to work remotely through the remainder of the 2021. Please reach out to employees via email, phone or video conference as required. Thank you.

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Materials and Bioeconomy

Man standing by cart of lumber with small sample pieces of processed lumber.

The goal of this strategic initiative is to increase the economic return from Minnesota's forest harvest by developing value-added products.

Expertise & Capabilities

  • Building science and systems research
  • Modified wood technologies
  • Composite panel research
  • Outreach and industrial services
  • Natural products extraction and separation
  • Chemical analysis
  • Chemical modification of natural compounds
  • Carbohydrate analysis
  • Lignin analysis
  • Fermentation
  • Recycling, waste utilization and value-added repurposing of materials
  • Extrusion, spheronization and particle agglomeration
  • Composite material development
  • Biomass modification for chemical and energy products

Initiative Director: Eric Singsaas, esingsaa@d.umn.edu, (218) 788-2648

For more information on this initiative, please navigate to a specific research area.