FPIC At Louisiana Tech Receives Donation

Martin Sustainable Resources LLC of Alexandria, La. has donated $1 million to Louisiana Tech as a leadership gift toward construction of the University’s new Forest Products Innovation Center (FPIC), with the assurance of another $1 million to be presented by this June.

The Center will be on South Campus and provide space for a transdisciplinary approach to solving the challenges associated with the timber industry. Groundbreaking is set for late spring.

“As the Chairman, CEO, and CFO of RoyOMartin, a subsidiary of Martin Sustainable Resources, I am excited to be the lead investor in Louisiana Tech University’s Forest Products Innovation Center,” Roy O. Martin III says. “The Center will play a key role in driving research and identifying sustainable solutions for wood products. I look forward to collaborating and working together in the new state-of-the-art center, where transformational discoveries will become innovative solutions, successfully increasing forest productivity in the region.”

The new building will provide space for research collaborations, not only within the forestry industry, but also with other state and national industry partners. Academic programs in forestry, agriculture, biology, engineering, science and other disciplines will all contribute to the learning, research and service created by the FPIC.

“I look forward to the successful opportunities that the Louisiana Tech University’s Forest Products Innovation Center will offer by serving as an essential link between University research and the needs for adopting new practices, technologies, and products for the forest and timber industry,” Scott Poole, President and Chief Operating Officer, RoyOMartin adds. “Innovation is the key component to the Center’s success, and Louisiana Tech University exemplifies an innovative-driven culture for learning and research.”

Although the interdisciplinary FPIC will be driven by Forestry, there will be a valuable Engineering and Science collaboration. The FPIC will house wood processing and testing labs as well as chemical engineering labs where industry can work with research faculty and students.

In addition, a U.S. Forest Researcher will be housed in the FPIC to bring another research perspective and identity to the Center that will provide more opportunities for enhancing the sustainability of forests and forest-related industries.

The University welcomes industry and private contributions to help secure funding needed to achieve the goal of developing the FPIC.