Is the paper industry missing the nanotechnology boat?

by John O'Brien, Managing Editor

The paper industry is constantly looking for ways to improve its products, while refining the pulp and papermaking process to be more efficient, thus cost-effective. But in this search, our industry seems to be glossing-over a science that offers exciting possibilities for advancements in the manufacturing process, along with the development of new and/or improved products.

The science is nanotechnology. Before you roll your eyes and pass this off as too futuristic, science fiction, or whatever, you've got to put aside the 'what can it do for me in the next quarter' mindset. You have to believe that the paper industry will be here for many years to come and what you don't want to have happen is find ourselves looking back ten to fifteen years from now and be applying hindsight to the fact that the industry missed a technological opportunity because it didn't fit the conventional wisdom of 2007.

I'm not going to try and pass myself off as an expert on nanotechnology because I'm not. So I tracked down someone who does know his nano-stuff; Phil Jones, director - Technical Marketing & New Ventures at Imerys. He stressed that the industry needs to get involved with the science “or it is likely to miss out on the re-invention of wood-based materials, especially its staple product, paper, along with wood composites, sustainable packaging, etc.”

Jones also pointed out that the leaders in the paper industry need to support nanotechnology big-time and be actively lobbying for money to be spent in our industry's direction, instead of semiconductors and biotech. He added, “Forest materials are the materials of the 21st Century, not plastics and other oil based materials.”

There is a federal R&D program called National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) (www.nano.gov), which was established to coordinate the multi-agency efforts in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. NNI is made up of 13 Federal agencies, among them: the Dept. of Energy (DOE), Dept. of Agriculture, and the USDA Forest Service. Research by these agencies could directly benefit our industry.

However, the paper industry must get engaged. According to NNI, the 2008 budget for the agencies participating in NNI is nearly $1.5 billion, more than triple the estimated $464 million spent in 2001. In addition, the National Science Foundation (NSF) predicts that within a decade nanotechnology will provide a $1 trillion market, while Federal research funding will average well over $1 billion a year over the next four years-one of the largest infusions for industrial R&D since the early days of the space program.

NNI says, “...this growth in nanotechnology research and development (R&D) investments across the Federal government reflects the consistent, strong support of this Administration and of Congress for this program, based on its potential to expand our fundamental knowledge and to make important contributions to national priorities such as economic competitiveness.”

The science of things very small is a big opportunity that shouldn't be overlooked. Currently, large industry supports about half of the R&D in nanotechnology in the U.S.—about $2 billion per year. The other half comes from small business and investors, as well as Federal, state and local governments.

The paper industry needs to be one of the leaders on the list of “large industry” supporting R&D in nanotechnology and apply pressure on the Hill for funding to be directed our way. Watching from the sidelines just won't cut it.

John O'Brien can be reached at: jobrien@paperage.com

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