High-ranking industry, government, and academic officials gathered for the ceremonies, which included tours of the new nanocellulose production facilities and a special nanocellulose symposium. As noted during the events, wood-derived cellulosic nanomaterials can be stronger than Kevlar fiber and provide high strength with low weight. These attributes have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass, as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical device industries.
FPL explained during the ceremonies that as new lightweight, high-performance products are developed and commercialized, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, manufacturing in rural areas will increase, and many new high-paying jobs will be created. The new facility, it noted, will aid in the commercialization of these materials by providing researchers and early adopters of the technology with working quantities of forest-based nanomaterials.
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