Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 O C T O B E R 3 , 2 0 1 6 "Virtually any biobased products you can think of — chemicals, bioplastics, advanced biofuels — they have double-digit annual growth. Maine deserves some of that market. We have a workforce with a strong work ethic. We have unique transportation assets, including three deep water ports. We have world-class research and development capabilities at the University of Maine and our other colleges. We have an amazing forest asset with the highest percentage of trees that are sustainably harvested in the United States." Mace's eff orts to make Maine a world leader in biobased manufacturing got a big boost this summer, when the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded a $519,930 grant to Biobased Maine as part of a three-year $856,549 project in partnership with the University of Maine to develop a "road map" to advance biobased manufacturing in Maine. Grant funds also will be used to market Maine's biobased assets to investors in new technolo- gies and processes and provide technical assistance to help Maine forest products manufacturers and users implement new biobased technologies. Mace, who became Biobased Maine's fi rst full- time director in September 2014, already is work- ing with other stakeholders on completing the road map for rebuilding Maine's rural economy by creating opportunities to make more bio-products, biofuel and biomass power within the state. The road map will include: ¡ a biomass cost study ¡ an inventory of industrial infrastructure that might be suitable for biobased manufacturing ¡ assessments of the state's transportation infra- structure and workforce ¡ identifying mills that might be underutilized and could benefi t from new sources of revenue from core biobased materials extracted from wood pulp. Mace expects the completed road map will make a strong business case for Maine as an ideal location for biobased manufacturing. "Once we have the data, we will be marketing it to an industry that is growing," she says. " en we do the matchmaking and bring in the investment partners to complete the deal. at match- making already is beginning to happen." " e Department of Commerce recognizes our project has the potential to grow jobs in rural Maine," she adds, citing the EDA's estimate that 195 or more jobs would be created in Maine if one or more mills begin producing from wood fi ber the cellulosic sugars that are the building block of a host of biobased alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and fuels. " ey don't give out money with- out good reason to believe there will be return on that investment." Mace says a 2014 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the country's biobased industry has an estimated value of $369 billion, with four million workers and a market for bioplastics that is increasing by 20% to 30% per year. A separate study by the Biotechnology Industry Organization estimates that U.S.-based jobs for the renew- able chemicals sector will rise from approximately 40,000 jobs in 2011, which represents 3% to 4% of all chemical sales, to more than 237,000 jobs by 2025 and approximately 20% of total chemical sales. She says there's no reason Maine can't participate in those trajectories of growth. "Maine is in play," she says. "Maine has got to be a player too. My goal is to move the whole sector and get it growing our local economies again, with good-paying jobs, and making products that the whole world wants. Good manufacturing jobs is what will alleviate the stress in rural Maine." James McCarThY, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at JmccarThY @ mainebiZ.biZ and @ JamesMainebiZ Maine Wood Concepts in New Vineyard, Maine is seeking a Plant Manager to lead Plant Manager to lead Plant Manager the Main Plant manufacturing facility. A unique opportunity for an experienced leader unique opportunity for an experienced leader unique opportunity interested in professional growth and leading a successful custom wood manufacturing operation. Generous wage and benefit package. SEEKING PLANT MANAGER LEARN MORE: mainewoodconcepts.com/job_postings.php We'll take care of it. • Order Fulfillment • Customer Engagement • eCommerce Solutions • Drop Shipping • Assembly & Kitting • Assembly & Kitting Full Service Solutions You Can Count On. Every time. Providing services locally and nationally since 2000 Quality and Experience, Delivered to Your Business Every Day. ShipRightSolutions.com Visit Us Biobased Maine 565 Congress St., Portland Founded: Formerly the Sustainable Bioplastics Council of Maine, the nonprofit trade associate rebranded itself as Biobased Maine in 2015 Executive director: Charlotte Mace Description: A trade association that works with businesses, researchers and policy makers to develop and bring to market new products made out of renewable biomass from forests, farms and sea to manufacture the next generation of biobased chemicals, materials and fuels. Members include Tom's of Maine, Cerealus, True Textiles, Environmental Health Strategy Center, Grow-Tech LLC, Oakhurst Dairy, Trout Brook Enterprises, University of Maine and Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. Contact: 207-699-5792 www.biobasedmaine.org

• Cover