Forest Products
Maine’s economic future, like the past, is inextricably linked to our sustainably managed forests.
The forest products industry in Maine is undergoing an exciting re-invention, bridging the old and the new. While pulp and paper manufacturing remain the top contributor to Maine’s forest economy, more mills are shifting production into tissue, label, and packaging grades of paper. Sawmill timber continues to be an important facet of Maine’s forest economy alongside emerging sectors and products including cross-laminated timber (CLT), wood fiber insulation, biofuels, mass timber, biochar, and biomass combined heat & power.
Maine has 89% forest coverage, the highest in the United States
$5.3 billion and over 13,000 jobs contributed to Maine's economy
Over $200 million in foreign exports of forest products annually
Maine research institutions and manufacturers are responsible for groundbreaking work in biofuels, biomaterials, and nanocellulose. Value creation is the key concept – turning sawdust into jet fuel or wood pulp to repair or replace human bones – using residuals to create innovative materials and products offers a future filled with new opportunities in this vital sector.
New Forest Bioproducts Program Critical to $22 Million Tech Hub Investment
Following the recent announcement of an additional $22 million investment to position Maine as a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing, the University of Maine is advancing plans to launch its Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program. A critical component of the Tech Hub, the new program will provide world-class innovation expertise, cutting-edge bioproducts equipment and infrastructure, and intellectual property to build talent pipelines and help private sector companies rapidly accelerate product commercialization.
Maine Designated as a Federal Tech Hub for Forest Bioproducts
Maine’s Federally designated Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Global Technology Hub embodies the rich legacy of talent, innovation, and infrastructure, poised to drive US leadership in the 21st-century clean technology economy. Through active collaboration among over 70 public and private sector entities, this initiative seeks to propel the development and commercialization of bioproduct technologies, fostering economic growth, job creation, and rural revitalization.
Testing and Manufacturing New, Innovative, and Sustainable Forest Products
The Advanced Structures & Composites Center at the University of Maine is at the forefront of testing and manufacturing new, innovative, and sustainable forest products to revitalize and diversify Maine’s forest-based economy.
Sustainable Packaging Manufacturer Gears Up for Growth
Tanbark Molded Fiber Products is a rapidly growing designer and maker of high-end sustainable packaging made from Maine pulp and paper. The company aims to offer a compostable alternative to single-use plastic starting with clients in the food and beverage industry. The company’s products are free of toxic per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Clients include Luke’s Lobster and grocery retailer Hannaford.
Industry Support
Trade association working to expand biobased product manufacturing in Maine through applied research, technical assistance, and information sharing that supports new product development, process engineering, and market assessment
Cross-sector collaboration between industry, communities, government, education, and nonprofits, which have come together to ensure that Maine strategically adapts and capitalizes on changing markets to maintain our leading role in the global forest economy and support prosperity in our state
Provide a supportive economic and public policy climate for the forest products community and promote a healthier, more vital forestry sector
Offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy
Unique, open-access research experience where scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders work collaboratively to develop new pulp- and paper-based products and manufacturing processes
In Good Company
International Investors
We’d love to hear from you to discuss your interest in this sector and Maine’s advantages.