Wood Utilization + Design Institute

I’m still processing the energy of these past few days in Greenville. A packed room. Two days of incredibly candid conversations. And, most importantly, a community beginning to form around a shared mission.

We brought together private-sector leaders, entrepreneurs, NGOs, research institutions, universities, economic-development organizations, landowners, conservation groups, and state and federal agencies representing seven states across the Southeast.

Different perspectives. Different parts of the value chain. But one fundamental challenge: How do we create stronger markets for our forests and turn innovation into economic opportunity across the South?

What started as an idea is quickly becoming something much bigger. The Forest Products Innovation Corridor (FPIC) is taking shape as a regional effort built around a simple premise: healthy forests need healthy markets and innovation ultimately needs a pathway to commercialization and scale.

A very special thank you to Antti Asikainen -Exec. VP for Research at the Finnish National Institute of Natural Resources, LUKE- who made the incredibly generous commitment to travel from Finland and spend five days with us. Antti shared not only what Finland has accomplished in transforming its forest bioeconomy over the past 20+ years, but also the lessons learned along the way. After spending this time together, one thing is very clear: we have a strong mutual commitment to strategically partner with LUKE and translate those lessons into action here in the Southeast. There is much more to come from this collaboration. 🇫🇮🌲🇺🇸A huge thank you as well to Orlando Rojas -Canada Excellence Research Chair in Bioproducts & Scientific Director, Bioproducts Institute, University of British Columbia; incoming Governor’s Chair, University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Melinda Lehman -Vice President, Innovations, Britt, Peters & Associates- for their wonderful keynotes, and to every moderator, panelist, company innovator and participant who brought their expertise, experience and importantly their candor to the room. The strength of this meeting came from having people representing the entire ecosystem willing to talk openly about both the tremendous opportunities ahead and the hard realities facing Southern Forest markets today.

I am also deeply grateful to Sam Konduros and to our elected officials, Mayor Knox White of Greenville and Mayor Jay Doyle of Georgetown, for their engagement, partnership and incredible support of this initiative. And to Mayor White and the Greenville community, thank you for making all of us feel so welcome in your gorgeous city. Greenville was an extraordinary place to launch this journey.

And, of course, none of this happens alone. I’m incredibly grateful to our founding university partners at Clemson University, the University of Georgia and NC State, and to the many organizations and individuals from across the region who believed enough in this idea to show up, engage and help us build it.

Perhaps the most important message coming out of Greenville is this:

We are not leaving Greenville to disappear for a year and write a plan. The work starts now. “Resource → Innovation → Demonstration → Market → Capital → Scale”

Over the coming weeks, as we recover from an incredible meeting, we’ll be sharing much more the conversations, individual sessions, key insights, people and ideas that made these two days so special.

Stay tuned. We’re just getting started.

Moving fiercely forward! 🌲🏡🚀

Duber Garces
Grad Research Assistant
Social media & Communications, WU+D

Clemson University

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Researchers and industry professionals from around the world gathered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, for the 24th International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium.

First held in 1963, the symposium rotates between locations in the United States and abroad and has become one of the leading venues for sharing research and practical applications of a wide range of nondestructive testing technologies for evaluating wood and wood-based materials—from the assessment of standing trees to in place structures.

This year’s event was held May 19–22 at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDCWERX) facility and co-organized by Mississippi State University, USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO) Division 5, and the ERDCWERX. The symposium brought together about 40 participants representing 15 countries across five continents. The event highlighted the latest research findings in nondestructive testing and evaluation technologies across five technical sessions: NDT for Log and Timber Grading, Urban Tree Inspection and Risk Assessment, NDT for Mass Timber and Engineered Wood Products, NDT for Heritage and Historic Wood Structures, and Wood Quality Assessment in Forestry.

Beyond the technical presentations, the meeting also provided participants with a hands-on workshop focused on nondestructive testing methods and condition assessment of wood structures, featuring case studies from Brazil and China. Attendees also toured the historic USS Cairo at Vicksburg National Military Park and observed live demonstrations of NDT tools.

Clemson University and WU+D played active roles throughout the event. Dr. Brunela Pollastrelli Rodrigues, Assistant Professor of Wood Utilization and Biomaterials in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation and also a faculty member of the WU+D, has been actively involved with the NDTE of Wood Symposium series for the past three years, serving as a member of the International Organizing Committee for the NDTE of Wood Symposium series. During the event, Dr. Rodrigues presented two topics and moderated two sessions, while her graduate student, Anjila Lamichhane, presented a topic about her PhD project.

In addition, Dr. Brandon Ross, Cottingham Professor of Civil Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering and faculty member of the WU+D, and his student Matthew Gutow presented findings from their ongoing research project, highlighting advances in the assessment and performance evaluation of timber pile structures.

The symposium also recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to the field and to the symposium. Clemson University’s Brunela Pollastrelli Rodrigues received a Special Recognition Award in appreciation of her work supporting the event. This award was also received by Dr. Laurice Correa, Dr. Keving Ragon, and Amy Ragon of Mississippi State University. Dr. Rubin Shmulsky of Mississippi State University received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his leadership in the field and significant contributions to nondestructive evaluation of wood.

Another milestone celebrated during the symposium was the publication of International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium Series: 60 Years of Research, a compendium documenting six decades of symposium proceedings and research contributions.

As a sponsor of the symposium, WU+D was proud to support an event that advances innovation, strengthens international partnerships, and promotes the continued growth of wood science and engineering worldwide.

Banquet and Recognitions

Duber Garces
Grad Research Assistant
Social media & Communications, WU+D

Clemson University

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The Forest Resources Association’s (FRA) 92nd Annual Meeting, held May 18–20 in Charleston, South Carolina, brought together over 150 members and industry partners for three days of networking, education, committee work, and the governance decisions that will guide the Association through the coming year. Meeting presentations and discussions highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, including evolving timber markets, sustainable building products, workforce development, transportation and safety issues, and the growing role of AI, automation, and advanced technologies in forestry operations.

WU+DI’s Patricia Layton, Professor Emerita of Forestry and Strategic Advisor, delivered a presentation titled “Sustainable Buildings and Innovative Wood Products to Strengthen Forest Markets,” focusing on how sustainable buildings, mass timber construction, and innovative wood products can strengthen forest markets. Layton’s presentation highlighted the growing use of mass timber due to its benefits, including lower embodied carbon, improved construction efficiency, sustainability, and support for forest health, while also addressing misconceptions about cost, fire safety, and building codes. She emphasized the importance of integrated wood supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and traceability from forest to finished building products, alongside emerging research and partnerships led by Clemson University and regional collaborators. The presentation also explored broader market transitions affecting the forest sector.

Duber Garces
Grad Research Assistant
Social media & Communications, WU+D

Clemson University

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Excited to represent the Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+DI) at the Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin this week, Organized by the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities — joining leaders from across industry, government, research, conservation, and investment to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the forest sector: creating sustainable markets for low-value wood fiber, including small-diameter timber and industry residues.

A particularly meaningful moment of the convening was seeing South Carolina highlighted as a national success story during the panel discussion “Success at the State Level – What We Can Learn from Where It Has Worked.” I had the privilege of sharing the stage in a dynamic conversation with Scott Phillips -SC State Forestry Commissioner- and Guy Sabin – Resource Development Section Chief at the South Carolina Forestry Commission- to discuss how coordinated partnerships across government, industry, academia, and landowners are helping position South Carolina as a leader in forest-based innovation and market transformation.

This conversation is about much more than biomass. It is about restoring market pathways that support healthy forests, rural economies, wildfire resilience, carbon-smart materials, renewable energy, and the next generation of forest-based innovation.

At WU+DI, we believe the future of forestry depends on connecting working forests to advanced manufacturing, circular bioeconomy systems, construction materials, packaging, chemicals, energy, and emerging technologies — while ensuring value flows back to landowners and communities.

Grateful to the organizers and partners bringing together this important national dialogue. The future of forest-based innovation will depend on coordinated action across sectors — and conversations like this are how that work begins.

Duber Garces
Grad Research Assistant
Social media & Communications, WU+D

Clemson University

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JUNE 9-11, 2026

Clemson University’s Glenn Department of Civil Engineering and the Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute are partnering with Think Wood to host a 2.5-day, hands-on workshop for engineering faculty. The workshop will cover wood engineering and design, and strategies for incorporating this subject matter into your teaching, research and outreach. It will include presentations from guest speakers, tours of Clemson’s mass timber facilities and active dialogue among participants to equip you with effective strategies for integrating wood engineering into your work and classroom. This workshop will cover topics relevant to both light-frame and mass timber constructions. 

The workshop is all-inclusive for participants. Travel expenses, lodging and meals are funded through a generous sponsorship from Think Wood. This opportunity is only for faculty in US universities. Preference will be given to junior faculty.

Visit the Link to register.

Apply Now
Applications must be received by April 20

Sponsored by:

Presented by:

Pat Layton
WU+D Strategic Advisor

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The Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) was proud to be invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mosaic Color & Additives’ new Sapphire Dispersions facility in Greenville, South Carolina.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette joined Mosaic leadership and regional partners to celebrate the opening of this new facility, which is focused on bringing coating production back from overseas, developing sustainable products using life-cycle analysis and greenhouse gas best practices, and advancing graphene-infused technologies.

This moment represents more than a facility opening — it reflects a shared commitment to:

• Onshoring advanced manufacturing
• Building high-value, technology-driven product platforms
• Strengthening South Carolina’s sustainable industrial base
• Creating long-term economic growth through innovation

Sapphire Dispersions was formed to bring production back to the U.S., reduce emissions, and advance next-generation materials -— a vision closely aligned with WU+D’s mission to expand markets for sustainable, bio-based and advanced materials across the state. The planned development of a Graphene Center of Excellence on the company’s campus further signals South Carolina’s growing role in high-performance materials and sustainable manufacturing innovation.

At WU+D, we believe that strengthening domestic manufacturing and developing sustainable materials solutions go hand-in-hand with rural resilience, forest sector innovation, and economic growth across South Carolina.

We look forward to continued collaboration with industry partners who are committed to building the next generation of advanced, sustainable manufacturing in our state.

Duber Garces
Grad Research Assistant
Social media & Communications, WU+D

Clemson University

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The future of forest markets will not be built in isolation from forests on one side and manufacturing on the other. It will be built where stewardship, science, innovation, and markets meet.

That is why the Wood Utilization + Design (WU+D) Institute is proud to announce the launch of a strategic partnership with the Clemson University Forest a collaboration designed to tightly integrate conservation, forest management, advanced materials research, and economic development.

Where Conservation Meets Market Leadership

For generations, the Clemson University Forest has served as a living laboratory supporting research, teaching, sustainable forest management, recreation, and long-term ecological stewardship. It represents the land-grant mission at its best: balancing productivity with responsibility.

At WU+D, our mission is to translate forest resources into high-value products, resilient supply chains, and skilled workforce pathways. We connect forestry, engineering, materials science, architecture, design, and industry partners to accelerate innovation across the forest-based bioeconomy.

By bringing these two strengths together, we are creating something uniquely powerful: Instead of thinking of forests simply as timber supply, this partnership positions the forest as the starting point of a modern innovation ecosystem.

Conservation Is Not Separate from Competitiveness

The global marketplace is changing. Demand is growing for mass timber buildings and hybrid structural systems, bio-based polymers and advanced composites, circular manufacturing models, carbon-accountable materials and domestic, resilient supply chains.

At the same time, forest landowners face market pressures on traditional products, and policymakers seek climate-smart solutions that strengthen rural economies. The answer is not to separate conservation from utilization but to integrate them.

Through this partnership, the Clemson University Forest becomes a proving ground for sustainable harvesting strategies, carbon-smart management approaches, and expanded markets for low-value wood, thinning materials, and restoration residues. Healthy forests generate long-term economic value. Strong markets incentivize responsible stewardship.

“When conservation and commercialization move forward together, both win. This is more than a partnership. It is a signal of where South Carolina is headed.” Peresin, the “Pat” Layton Endowed Director of the Wood Design + Design Institute said.

“Rooted in the history of American land conservation, the CU Forest is an ideal system in which to develop and test a new forest economy” said Rob Baldwin, Clemson University Forest executive director and Lloyd Endowed Chair

Building South Carolina’s Forest Products Innovation Corridor

WU+D is leading the charge to develop a Forest Products Innovation Corridor one that connects working forests, research infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and industry partners across the state.

Anchored by the Clemson University Forest, this corridor strengthens South Carolina’s position to:

• De-risk innovation for manufacturers
• Attract federal and private investment
• Expand new value streams beyond legacy products
• Strengthen rural economic resilience
• Lead the Southeast in forest-based economic development

South Carolina already has a strong forestry sector. But leadership in the next generation of forest markets will require integration across conservation science, materials innovation, data analytics, and commercialization pathways.

This partnership accelerates that integration.

A Living Laboratory for the Next Generation

Perhaps most importantly, this collaboration transforms education. Students will not just learn about forests they will learn how forests create value.

They will see how silviculture connects to structural performance. How carbon accounting connects to market premiums. How fiber morphology influences product design. How innovation can strengthen both ecosystems and economies. Within Clemson’s own landscape, students can now experience the full lifecycle of forest-based innovation from standing trees to scalable products.

That experience is rare. And it is exactly what the future workforce demands.

Rooted in Purpose. Designed for Impact. WU+D is not a building. It is a community.

And with this partnership, that community is now deeply rooted in one of South Carolina’s most important forest assets.

By aligning conservation, applied research, product development, and commercialization, WU+D is helping define what leadership in the forest sector looks like for the next decade. South Carolina is not simply participating in the future of forest markets. With forests, innovation, and stewardship working together we are building it.

M. Soledad Peresin
WU+D director

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Clemson University’s Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) was founded during a period of economic disruption, when sharply declining wood prices forced many small sawmills and wood-processing facilities to close. In response, the Institute focused its early work on expanding wood-based construction markets—particularly in the commercial, non-residential sector. A central emphasis was southern yellow pine cross-laminated timber (CLT), with research addressing adhesives, fire resistance, structural performance, manufacturing standards, connections, vibration, and acceptance by engineers and architects.

Market acceptance quickly emerged as a critical challenge. Early research examined what types of buildings were likely to be constructed in the South and nationwide, and the potential scale of those markets. With one of the first grants awarded through the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Innovation funding program, WU+D developed a series of workshops and educational programs to share findings with building owners, developers, architects, and engineers. Decision-makers for public buildings within South Carolina were the primary audience.

Another group soon drew attention: the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The Lendlease Hotel project in Huntsville, Alabama, helped catalyze this interest, prompting a series of performance tests demonstrating that mass timber buildings could meet rigorous safety and durability standards. These tests and the research they inspired continue today.

As industry-governmental affairs groups advanced the concept of mass timber construction on military bases, Clemson recognized both the opportunity and the complexity of implementing it. Based on experience securing approval for Clemson’s first mass timber campus building, the Institute knew sustained coordination would be required. Clemson partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) to propose a comprehensive plan. The Endowment accepted and found funding from the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovation program

A $370,000 grant from the Endowment supported Clemson University’s School of Architecture, the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, and the Wood Utilization + Design Institute in advancing mass timber design and education through a multi-year, multi-university consortium. The project brought together architecture and engineering faculty and students, mass timber manufacturers, design and construction firms, and representatives from the Department of Defense. The goal was to promote the use of mass timber a sustainable and resilient building technology across the DOD’s more than 800 installations worldwide.

Over two years, collaborative design studios and research seminars were held across four universities: Clemson University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Oregon, and the Tallwood Design Institute at Oregon State University. A total of 104 upper-level architecture students participated in five design studios, developing mass timber proposals for military installations. Faculty and students worked directly with four DOD sites and client groups to create preliminary designs for “archetypal” mass timber buildings aligned with planned DOD projects. Participating installations included Tyndall Air Force Base (Florida); U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area (Charleston, South Carolina); Little Rock Air Force Base (Arkansas); and Mountain Home Air Force Base (Idaho).

The Department of Defense was selected as a partner because of its unparalleled scale and influence. With more than 600,000 buildings across thousands of locations, the DOD maintains the nation’s largest real estate portfolio and is a significant driver of sustainable and resilient construction practices. Its demanding project constraints tight schedules, complex logistics, and diverse building types—create conditions that can accelerate innovation. The DOD’s reliance on local materials and labor also supports rural economies surrounding military installations. Mass timber, with advantages in constructability, deconstructability, and integrated design, offers compelling solutions to these challenges.

At the conclusion of the design studios, students and faculty presented their work to representatives from participating installations and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. By 2026, the long-term impact of this work is visible in real-world projects that reflect years of research, testing, policy progress, and growing institutional commitment to sustainable construction within the Department of Defense.

On January 6, 2026, a new state-of-the-art mass timber Child Development Center broke ground at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story in Virginia Beach. The project designed by Gensler and constructed by Layton Construction in partnership with the U.S. Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit will serve Navy and Coast Guard families across the Hampton Roads region.

Similarly, on December 12, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground at Joint Base Lewis–McChord in Washington on a five-story, 105,000-square-foot mass timber barracks designed to house 200 soldiers. The project represents a significant shift toward construction materials long used in the private sector but newly adopted by the Department of War (formerly Defense).

Collaborations formed over the past 15 years have been instrumental in advancing mass timber in the United States. While challenges remain, many of the issues first examined by WU+DI in 2010 market volatility, small-diameter wood utilization, and forest health are more urgent today, as facility closures continue and wildfire and pest risks increase.

Clemson University’s Wood Utilization + Design Institute is expanding beyond its original focus to address new products and markets for wood of all types and sizes. The guiding principle remains clear: Healthy Forest Markets = Healthy Forests. We invite partners and stakeholders to explore how collaboration continues to turn ambitious ideas into measurable impact.

Pat Layton
WU+D Strategic Advisor

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WU+D and the Clemson Packaging Science Student Club have officially partnered to re-activate a Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) Student Chapter at Clemson University strengthening pathways between students, industry, and the future forest-based workforce.

Clemson Univ. Packaging Science instructor and club advisor Lisi Campbell, along with student leaders from the Packaging Science Student Club -Hannah Dickson, Ava Beasley, Hailey Wiethoff, and Cynthia Vangelas, recently represented Clemson at the TAPPI Student Summit in Birmingham, connecting with peers and industry professionals from across the country.

This new chapter reflects WU+D’s commitment to experiential learning, industry engagement, and workforce development empowering students with leadership opportunities and real-world exposure across pulp, paper, packaging, and bio-based materials.

We are looking to support this initiative and eager to contribute to the next generation of workforce for the pulp, paper and sustainable packaging industry. Clemson TAPPI Student Chapter will be open to all Clemson students. More information on how to engage with this group coming soon!

WU+D Director actively serves in several roles with TAPPI. She is currently the Associate Editor for the TAPPI Journal, upcoming Chair for the Advanced Renewable Materials -ARM (former NANO) Technical Division and member of the TAPPI Board of Directors.

#WU+D Institute #Clemson University #TAPPI

M. Soledad Peresin
WU+D director

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WU+D members -faculty members and students- were proud to participate in the 2026 APSAF Meeting in Greenville, SC, engaging with colleagues from across the region to discuss the future of forestry, wood utilization, and circular economy initiatives.

From research and innovation to workforce development and industry collaboration, these conversations play a critical role in advancing resilient forest-based solutions for the Southeast and beyond.

Our Strategic Advisor and former Director, Pat Layton became Golden member of APSAF and got celebrated at the meeting as well, along with other influencing personalities of the forest industry such as Gene Kodama.

We thank the organizers and partners for fostering such a dynamic and impactful forum, and for creating meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate. Special thanks to @Scott Phillips and Guy Sabin with the South Carolina Forestry Commission for your continuous support and engagement with the Institute initiatives.

M. Soledad Peresin
WU+D director

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