Raising costs, increasing environmental concerns and dwindling supplies of petroleum resources are driving an inevitable move to a bio-based economy that uses sustainable biomass for production of materials, chemicals and energy. One day soon, biorefineries will replace petroleum processes and serve as our primary sources of fuels, materials and vital chemicals. Making biorefineries into a reality will require the development of efficient ways to sustain and harvest forest resources, and the development of new ways to convert biomass into biofuels, biomaterials and chemicals. Scientist and engineers, working with foresters and biotechnologists, are developing technologies for the sustainable production and conversion of forest biomass into valuable products.

WPS is playing its part in this movement by taking the lead in encouraging interdisciplinary research efforts toward commercially viable bioproducts and biofuels. We are also developing our educational programs in biomass, bioenergy and bioproducts. This includes major research initiatives, and new biomass and bioproduct-related courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. We also offer research and internship opportunities for students who want to help produce the next generation of renewable sources of materials, chemicals and energy.

Related Links

• Forest Biomaterial and Bioenergy
• USDA Article "Trees: A Popular Source for Biofuels"

Key Contacts