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V O L . X X I I N O. X V I J U LY 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 16 e foam binder is made from polylactic acid, or PLA, a type of bioplastic derived from corn, switch grass, tapioca and other renewable plant resources. e PLA-based foam binder is cost competi- tive, he says. When it's mixed with peat, it becomes a spongy substance that's moldable into plugs of diff erent shapes and sizes that can be inserted into propagation trays. Its higher capacity for retaining water and superior aeration qualities make it an ideal medium for seed germination and faster rooting of the developing plant. It's also biodegradable, which Chittum says is a strong selling point for growers who want to minimize their environmental impact. He cites users of growing systems like green- houses, hydroponics and aquaponics as key markets. "Food-growing applications are the fastest- growing segment of our business," he says. " e local food movement and controlled environment agriculture are all drivers of growth for us." And from Orono ... Nadir Yildirim, a graduate of University of Maine's Innovation Engineering Program who is slated to receive his doctorate in August, is program leader and president of Revolution Research Inc., an Orono-based startup founded in 2014. e company focuses on the development and commercialization of eco-friendly products for the construction and packaging industries. An early prototype taps the unique qualities of nanocellulose — derived from cellulose, the main component of plant cells — to make a 100% recyclable foam insulation board. e company also is researching bio-based suspended ceiling tiles and thermal insulation foam. "We are using raw materials from the Maine forest," says Yildirim. e beauty of using nanocellulose fi ber, he says, is its adaptability: It can be made either fl exible or rigid, is both fi reproof and waterproof and has excellent thermal insulation properties. It does not contain petrochemicals, making it an eco-friendly product in the thermal insulation market, which is expected to grow to $27 billion globally by 2020, according to a recent Markets & Markets analysis. "It can be used in any kind of construction," Yildirim says of the prototype. "We're looking for industrial manufacturing partners to scale up our technology." Early funding support from Maine Technology Institute's Kickstarter grant program enabled Revolution Research to land a $225,000 National Science Foundation grant. It won the UMaine Business Challenge in 2015, took fi rst place in a competition in the Maine Top Gun Accelerated program and was a fi nalist in the Greenlight Maine Challenge competition held this June. "It's important for us to fi nd the right and correct partner," he says, noting that he's hopeful Revolution Research will compete successfully for $750,000 in additional NSF funding to scale up and commercialize his product by 2017 to 2020. " is technology is very compatible with paper- making," Yildirim says. "Maine is a great location for this purpose. is is a really critical innovation." JameS MCCarTHY, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at JmCCarTHY @ mainebiz.biz and @ JameSMainebiz

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