Georgia Southern’s Herty Advanced Materials Development Center Marks 75th Anniversary
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Jan. 23, 2013 – The Herty Advanced Materials Development Center, a world-leader in materials research and product development, will mark its 75th year anniversary in 2013 by celebrating its achievements, milestones and growth. Through a host of activities, Herty will honor the legacy of Dr. Charles H. Herty, whose pioneering work in process chemistry helped create the modern pulp and paper industry in the Southeastern United States. The Herty Center will recognize its long-standing achievements and its industrial partners; the impact it has had on economic growth; and present its exciting new initiatives.
Established by the State of Georgia in 1938, the Herty Center was created to provide research and development support to the pulp and paper industry. Early work at the Herty Center focused on chemical pulping and the commercialization potential of southern soft woods, and especially southern pine. This work directly enabled the modern pulp and paper industry to develop in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. This industry has evolved to become a key industry within Georgia, topping $25 billion in output in 2011, providing over 118,000 jobs and generating $15.1 billion in revenues, with the majority of this coming from pulp and paper manufacturing.
Today, the Herty Center specializes in biomass conversion technologies, advanced non-woven materials, fibers, and pulp and paper operations. Herty is a “new product accelerator” for its clients by offering technical, market, manufacturing and development services.
“The Herty Center is recognized as a global leader in technology development,” said Dr. Alexander Koukoulas, President and CEO. “We validate new process and product concepts for industries in a variety of key market sectors including: pulp and paper, chemicals, non-woven materials, and the emerging biomass-to-energy industry. With a solid tradition and recognized reputation in our contract manufacturing capabilities, we also partner with many of our clients to demonstrate new ideas, develop novel products and de-risk the commercialization of new technologies. We have a great track record and look to continue the legacy of quality service, while developing strong partnerships and cooperative agreements that can accelerate new technology development.”
The Herty Center also partners with clients to demonstrate new ideas, develop novel products and de-risk the commercialization of new technologies. Looking ahead, Herty is quickly expanding its scope and capabilities into new markets and industrial products, with a particular focus on “green” processes, biomass and alternative energy solutions. In 2011, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal transferred management of Herty to Georgia Southern University (GSU) to enhance economic and business development in the state of Georgia.
According to Dr. Charles Patterson, GSU’s Vice-President of Research and Economic Development, “Georgia Southern University is extremely proud to share a long history with Dr. Charles H. Herty. Mature pine trees, located on what is now Georgia Southern University, were used by Dr. Herty and his associate, Frank Klarpp, to test their newly developed ‘cup and gutter’ technique of resin collection, forever changing the forestry industry. The alignment of the Herty Center with Georgia Southern University will advance the applied research and development capabilities of both Herty and the University, while also advancing economic development, manufacturing partnerships and workforce development opportunities throughout Georgia.”
Some of the Center’s accomplishments include:
- Development of the acid sulfite process based on southern pine
- Development of cellulose acetate from southern pine
- New processing technologies for recycling fiber
- Novel wet-laid industrial non-woven products
- Creation of processes to add strength to building and paper products
- Development of synthetic fabrics for the medical industry
- Development of advanced composites for the transportation industry