This program advances renewable packaging systems that reduce reliance on plastics, supporting the future of sustainable packaging for food, consumer goods, and logistics sectors:
Bio-based polymers- and paper-based packaging innovations
Active, and functional packaging
Barrier coatings and polymer formulations
Recyclable, compostable, and food-safe materials
Materials for Environmental Remediation & Water Quality Protection
WU+D engineers bio-based materials that address urgent environmental and public health needs by mitigating pollution and protecting human ecological health, including:
Bio-based-derived sorbents for emerging contaminants such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, dyes, etc.
Aerogels, membranes, nonwovens, and filtration media
Antimicrobial and photocatalytic coatings
Scalable systems for field implementation
Valorization of Sidestreams and Agri-Forest Biomass Residuals
This area converts underutilized side streams from forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing into high-value materials, promoting resource efficiency, circularity, and new revenue streams for industry:
Lignin, hemicellulose, extractives, bio-oil and thermally modified wood condensates
Bark, fines, sawdust, and process residuals
Novel chemicals, fillers, additives, and bioproducts
Bio-Based Adhesives, Binders, Resins & Coatings
WU+D develops safer, renewable alternatives to fossil-derived bonding systems used across multiple sectors, supporting healthier and more sustainable material systems, including:
Lignin-, protein-, and carbohydrate-derived adhesives
Moisture, UV, and abrasion-resistant coatings
Low-VOC and formaldehyde-free formulations
Advanced chemistries for construction, packaging, and textiles
This program innovates renewable fibers and textile technologies for apparel, healthcare, and industrial applications, integrating materials science, textile engineering, and advanced manufacturing:
Technical fabrics, nonwovens, and filtration media
Structural textiles
Circular Bioeconomy Analytics: LCA, TEA & Sustainability Systems
WU+D provides data-driven frameworks to guide sustainable design, commercialization, and policy development through:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify carbon, environmental impacts, and circularity benefits across wood and bio-based supply chains
Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) to evaluate cost, scalability, and market potential for emerging materials and technologies
Forest carbon accounting and MRV systems, including work aligned with state-specific forest carbon exchanges to measure sequestration, harvested wood product impacts, and carbon-market opportunities
Circularity and resource-efficiency metrics that support industry adoption of low-carbon, renewable materials
Decision-support tools for companies, agencies, and policymakers to advance a resilient and competitive circular bioeconomy.
