Plant-based technologies that reduce carbon intensity of consumer products
AUTOMOTIVE
CONSTRUCTION
PACKAGING
Imagine a future where locally grown grasses are converted into useful products. It is a future where plant-based technologies can help reduce the carbon intensity of manufacturing and product use. It is a future where products don’t end up in landfills.
Our use-inspired research, development, and commercialization work is helping make this future vision a reality today! By building an interactive ecosystem of research organizations, industry partners, and community stakeholders, Greening the Southeast is the go-to resource for use-inspired research and technology commercialization. Our goal is to facilitate a faster path for commercializing new plant-based technologies in the region and to build a diverse agriscience workforce that can help revive our rural economies.
WHAT IS THE INNOVATION ENGINE?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines program seeks to support multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not seen significant impacts of recent technology booms. The program supports up to 10 years and $160 million in funding for awarded Engines.
The program seeks to boost innovation capacity within the region of service of each Engine, create sustainable innovation ecosystems, and demonstrate inclusive economic growth with new technologies and systems.
Our Goal is to create a green, circular bioeconomy for the construction materials, automotive and packaging industries in the Southeast. Our core region of service includes Tennessee and Alabama, with extended impacts in Georgia and North Carolina. Our partners and activities extend well beyond across the entire southeastern region.
Our mission is to engage growers, communities, academia, government, nonprofits and business leaders to generate a concentration of research, training, and supply that attracts and grows sustainable material industries to the South. Our aim is to reduce the carbon intensity of everyday products and eliminate industry reliance on petroleum-based plastics through the use of sustainable agricultural fibers.
The southeastern United States is positioned to make this project a success because of our significant resources in underutilized farm- able land, research in plant genomics and breeding, multiple groups engineering novel sustainable biomaterials, startup incubators, a mission to revitalize rural economies, and educational partners to train and inspire the future workforce.
OUTCOMES AND BROADER IMPACTS
The GSE Engine’s blueprint is designed to harness the collective power of regional resources, invigorate local economies, and address global environmental concerns. By fostering a robust bioeconomy in Alabama (AL) and Tennessee (TN), GSE will achieve the following goals:
- Strengthen our region by diversifying farmers’ income sources through the cultivation of perennial grass crops (miscanthus and switchgrass) that will be customized for industry needs
- Provide industries with renewable materials that meet modern sustainability standards without compromising on performance or affordability, satisfying an ever-growing consumer base that prioritizes eco-friendly products with reduced carbon footprints
- Develop, expand, and support robust commercialization pathways for biobased products, including entrepreneurial opportunities
- Implement educational initiatives to enhance workforce skills in sustainable manufacturing processes within our Region of Service
- Diversify educational, scientific, and entrepreneurial training activities across theEngine to support a more inclusive workforce
“I'm hoping to see a truly integrated system and circular economy where we can provide funding and economic benefit to rural economies and actually bring educational opportunities and economic opportunities to people who otherwise might not have access to them. I come from a rural background, so that's why I got into this work.”
David Harper, PhD
Professor at the University of Tennessee in the Center for Renewable Carbon
"I'm thrilled about the opportunity to bring together all the stakeholders involved in this project. When we work together, we can achieve great things. The benefits of our success will be far-reaching."
Kelly Tiller
Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Genera
"Bio-based materials are essential for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. I'm excited to see the progress we're making in this area."
Larissa Fenn
Director for New Products Research and Development at Rayonier Advanced Materials
"I've been involved in biomass research for over two decades. It's incredibly rewarding to see our work finally come to fruition and create opportunities for workforce development and economic growth in rural areas in the Southeast."
Oladiran Fasina, P.Eng.
Department Head Auburn University Department of Biosystems Engineering
“While it's a long-term goal, I believe we can significantly improve the economic conditions in this area. By creating new job opportunities and supporting local businesses, we can boost the livelihoods of farmers and industry workers.”
Nick Bambert
Chairman of Bamert Seed Company
The success of our Engine will generate significant positive impacts to the region, including:
