Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has launched a new national initiative to modernise the US pulp, paper and packaging industry through advanced technologies, research and collaborative innovation.
The initiative, known as the Center for Research and Advancement of Forest Product Technologies (CRAFT), brings together national laboratories, universities and more than 50 industry partners to develop and commercialise innovative forest-based products and manufacturing technologies.
According to CRAFT National Director Dan Coughlin, the initiative aims to strengthen the economic contribution of the paper industry, particularly in rural communities that depend on pulp and paper mills for employment and business activity. He highlighted East Tennessee as an ideal location for the initiative, given its abundant forest resources, advanced research capabilities and established manufacturing ecosystem.
CRAFT will focus on introducing new technologies, strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating employment opportunities across multiple sectors. The initiative also aims to support struggling paper mills and improve the global competitiveness of US manufacturers.
Through collaborations with industry leaders, including Amazon, CRAFT is working to commercialise next-generation paper-based packaging solutions that are more cost-effective and sustainable. These innovations are expected to provide alternatives to conventional packaging materials while supporting the growth of domestic production.
Despite the increasing adoption of digital technologies, paper-based products continue to play an important role in everyday applications, including e-commerce packaging, paper towels, egg cartons and emerging construction materials such as 3D-printed bio-based homes. Growing demand for recyclable materials is also creating new opportunities for the paper industry.
East Tennessee offers a strong foundation for the initiative through the research capabilities of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee and access to extensive forest resources across the Southeast.
Through research, industry partnerships and technology commercialisation, CRAFT aims to strengthen the US forest products sector, support rural economies and help reverse the decline in pulp and paper mill operations across the region.