Vision, Mission & Objectives

Vision:

Be the leading source for fundamental research and education in wood-based composites.

Mission:

Advance the science and technology of wood-based composite materials.

Objectives:

1. Promote and coordinate wood-based composites research and education at leading universities across North America.
2. Attract students to careers in the wood-based composites and adhesion industries.
3. Provide continuing education to the wood-based composites industry.
4. Provide a forum for intellectual exchange and interaction among professionals and students interested in:

   Manufacture of wood-based composites
   Performance of wood-based composites
   Materials science
   Adhesives and adhesion
   

History of the Center

The Wood-Based Composites Center was established on January 1, 1999. The foundation work for the Center began in 1989, when several faculty members in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Tech met with a group of forest products companies to discuss the composites industry and it's needs as related to the university. As a result of that meeting, seventeen companies supported the building of a wood-based composites research lab through monetary, material, and equipment contributions totaling over $140,000. The laboratory is housed at the Brooks Forest Products Center on the campus of Virginia Tech.

The Wood-Based Composites Program continued to grow after this initial activity in 1989. Faculty members continued to meet with industry representatives on a yearly basis. The informal meetings focused on gathering input from companies on research and education needs within the industry. They also gave faculty members an opportunity to share details on research work being performed by the university in the area of wood-based composites. The first of an ongoing series of newsletters from the program was established in 1991. Throughout the 1990's research funding came mainly from federal grants and contracts.

In 1998, planning meetings were held in Charlotte, North Carolina and Seattle, Washington to discuss the need for, and feasibility of, establishing a Center to serve the wood-based composites industry. A driving force initiating this activity was the recognized, longstanding need for graduates into the industry, a concern that was raised in ten consecutive years of program advisory board meetings. In addition, the desire for research specific to the business remained. The decision to establish the Wood-Based Composites Center was finalized.

Founding Members

The following companies are recognized as Founding Members of the Center:

Supporting

Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.
Huntsman Polyurethanes (formerly ICI Polyurethanes)
National Starch and Chemical
Neste Resins Corporation

Contributing

Champion International
The Dow Chemical Company
J M Huber Corporation
LP Corporation
Trus Joist MacMillan
Weyerhaeuser Company

The Center’s first industry advisory board meeting convened in 1999 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. Richard Rammon, Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc., served as the first Chair of the advisory board. Subsequent chairpersons include Dr. Robert Schmidt of Dynea, and Dr. William Boehner of Trus Joist – A Weyerhaeuser Business. Today, the board is chaired by Dr. Jack Winterowd of Weyerhaeuser Company. The advisory board meets twice yearly, each spring at Virginia Tech, and each fall rotating through the remaining partner universities.

In 2002, the Center was integrated (as an independent unit) into the Sustainable Engineered Materials Institute (SEMI), a federally funded multi-departmental college level research center in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech. Industry support from WBC members was instrumental to the ongoing funding of SEMI through a USDA Special Grant, further strengthening the productivity and breadth of research by Center faculty. This relationship between SEMI and the WBC remains today. Dr. Fred Kamke, the founder of SEMI, and its first director, resigned his role in February 2005, due to his relocation to Oregon State University. Dr. Audrey Zink-Sharp was subsequently appointed SEMI’s second director.

The founder and first Director of the WBC, Dr. Fred Kamke served from 1999 until January 2005. The first Managing Director of the Center, Ms. Linda Caudill, was appointed in August 1999, and continues to serve as Managing Director of SEMI and the WBC. In February 2005, Dr. Charles (Chip) Frazier was appointed Director by the WBC Industry Advisory Board. Also in 2005, to better meet the needs of its industry members, the Center moved from an affiliate relationship with MSU. OSU, and Minnesota, to one of a full partnership.

In 2006, the University of British Columbia and University of Maine were invited to participate as partner universities of the WBC. Mississippi State and Minnesota remain involved in Center meetings and activities as affiliate universities.

How to Reach Us

You can reach the Wood-Based Composites Center by contacting

Linda Caudill
Managing Director
1650 Ramble Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0503

Phone: (540) 231-7092
Fax: (540) 231-8868
Email: lcaudill@vt.edu