Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub

Big news for Maine!

The Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub, led by the Maine Technology Institute, has been awarded $22 million by the Biden-Harris Administration to further its mission of becoming a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing.

This initiative is transforming Maine’s abundant forest resources into innovative, climate-forward products that can displace plastics, sequester carbon, replace toxic chemicals, and strengthen U.S. supply chain resilience. By utilizing Maine’s renewable resources and manufacturing sustainable products, the Tech Hub aims to position Maine as the region of choice for developing and deploying these groundbreaking solutions.

Maine Venture Fund is proud to support this initiative as part of a consortium of over 70 partners, including state government, higher education institutions, industry leaders, and workforce development organizations. Together, we are creating a pipeline of innovations and bridging the gap between technological advancements and global commercialization opportunities.

Nina Scheepers, MVF Principal leading MVF’s support for this effort, shared:

“The Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub represents an opportunity for Maine to lead the charge in sustainable innovation. By combining cutting-edge technology, advanced manufacturing, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, this initiative will build on Maine’s heritage in the  forest products industry and create opportunities for Maine entrepreneurs and businesses.”

Dr. Brien Walton, Chair of the MVF Board, added:

“This $22 million investment underscores the incredible potential of Maine’s natural resources and the ingenuity of its people. The Maine Venture Fund is honored to support entrepreneurs who are driving this vision forward and helping position Maine as a global leader in forest bioproducts innovation. We’re grateful to Governor Mills, the Maine Technology Institute, and the Biden-Harris Administration for their leadership and investment in this transformational initiative.”

MVF is excited to see the forest bioproduct innovation that this funding will bring and eager to continue to play a role in supporting entrepreneurs and driving economic growth here in Maine.