Agenda 2020 conducts second open forum to develop breakthrough technology opportunities

Experts consider research pathways at Agenda 2020 Open Forum

Agenda 2020 conducts second open forum to develop breakthrough technology opportunities

The pulp and paper industry has the potential to use advanced technologies to help mills become more efficient and sustainable. In fact, there are many examples of such technologies in use in today's mills.

The Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, began in June to "map" the development of advanced technologies in promising areas related to sustainable manufacturing of pulp, paper, and forest bioproducts. The grant was awarded through the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech) program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

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.

The AMTech program uses open forum sessions to collect input from stakeholders about R&D topics that should be considered for roadmaps, and the reasons why. The first of these forums took place in Atlanta on November 18, 2014. On December 10, 2014, the second forum was held in Chicago and was attended by more than 40 representatives of universities, companies, government agencies, and associations.

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“Agenda 2020’s vision for 2030 involves radical improvements in energy and water productivity, and in the sustainability of our products and processes,” commented Agenda 2020 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.”

Those who missed the forums can still provide input on the Agenda 2020 website (www.Agenda2020.org).

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 commissioned by the Agenda 2020 Board of Directors. Over the last year and a half, the technical teams have worked to identify pathways toward achieving energy, efficiency, and competitiveness objectives.

As the AMTech project moves forward, Agenda 202 needs broader industry support. Encourage your company to join Agenda 2020 if it is not currently a member, and to get actively involved with its initiatives.

For further information, contact David Turpin, Agenda 2020 executive director at: David_Turpin@Agenda2020.org. The Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance is an industry-led consortium that promotes development of advanced technologies for the pulp and paper industry.

Watch for the article on "Mapping our Future," in the January/February 2015 issue of Paper360° magazine, that describes the progress of this important project.

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