The missions of AC-PABE are to provide undergraduate, graduate and continuing education in science and engineering relevant to the needs of the pulp, paper and bio-resource industries, to conduct fundamental and applied research in line with the industry’s research agenda, to develop and transfer technology to the industry consistent with the industry’s technology vision and to provide timely technical information to the operating sector of the industry.

The overarching theme of AC-PABE's multidisciplinary research program is the realization of the highest possible sustainable value from our nation’s forest-based biomass. The emphasis is on advanced materials development, energy efficiency enhancement, environmental engineering, fiber recycling, alternative fiber resources, process simulation and control, and product quality improvement. The objective is to give US industry information and technology that will ensure its international competitiveness while providing a maximum return to society.

Auburn engineers are studying paper's mechanical properties, such as tensile and compressive strength, that determine the quality of many paper grades. Their research on lignin, a major component of the papermaking raw material, is leading to more efficient use of wood as they learn how to improve the selectivity of pulping reactions. On the environmental front,    AC-PABE is developing new recycling technology and gaining new understanding that will lead to an increase in paper products' recycled fiber content and strength. Auburn engineers also are investigating removal of potentially harmful chemicals and noxious odors from pulp mill wastewater. These engineers are applying mass exchange networks to develop pulp and paper mills that meet new environmental standards and that increase productivity while also lowering operating costs. An ongoing AC-PABE project that focuses on the kraft process - the dominant pulping process in the world - combines real-time liquor analysis (a first) and inferential techniques to control the kraft digester. The major issue related to the environmental impact of pulp and paper manufacture also concerns the kraft process and involves the possible toxicity of kraft bleach plant effluent. With conventional means, the industry has significantly reduced certain classes of potential toxins, particularly chlorinated organics. To provide even more dramatic reductions, Auburn's research is leading the way toward implementing new technology based on fungal detoxification and dechlorination. Other technologies, such as supercritical fluid pulping, and membrane separation, are also under study. Work is also proceeding on developing high yield, high quality fibrous raw materials to augment existing wood fiber resources. Auburn engineers are also merging paper and materials sciences to develop powerful composite electrodes, batteries and fuel cells that may make electric automobiles practical and to manufacture bio-filters for anti-terrorism applications.

Auburn University's AC-PABE is the nation's only pulp, paper & bio-resource research and education center that offers undergraduate curricula with pulp, paper & bio-resource specializations for chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering students, and a multidisciplinary research environment for engineering graduate students and faculty. When these highly skilled men and women enter the workforce, they contribute advanced technologies that enable the U.S. pulp, paper & bio-resource industry to find economical ways to compete successfully in the world marketplace, to achieve full compliance with demanding environmental regulations, to increase productivity and to increase the quantity of recycled fiber.

WISE is a collaborative research venture, led by Auburn University and the US Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), linking the 10 PPERA universities to the FPL.  The purpose of WISE is to conduct a cooperative research program to produce valuable products including fiber-based materials, chemicals, liquid fuels and hydrogen, from presently underutilized forest residuals.

To learn more about WISE click here.

AC-PABE is in partnership with the U.S. pulp and paper industry through the Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation (APPF), a 55 company organization. The APPF advises and assists in recruiting students, placing graduates, designing curricula, performing research and transferring technology.

The Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation also offers a designated number of undergraduate academic scholarships for students attending Auburn University and specializing in one of the pulp, paper & bio-resource options. These scholarships are offered to the best and brightest students who are seriously interested in a career in the pulp, paper & bio-resource industry. To find out more about requirements click on the appropriate selection below.

The center has a complete, controlled-conditioned, wet-test laboratory for chemically and physically evaluating pulp and paper. State-of-the-art laboratory equipment includes a single vessel digester with an automatic sampling and analysis system, a two-vessel digester for simulating continuous operation, and a range of analytical instruments. Pilot equipment includes a chipper, a digester and an experimental paper machine.

Auburn’s pilot paper machine is capable of manufacturing a wide range of grades from lightweight tissue to heavy board. The untrimmed sheet width is 13.25", and the machine speeds are in the 25-50 feet/minute range, depending on basis weight. The machine has an atmospheric headbox with a standard Fourdrinier forming section, three wet presses, a Yankee dryer, two dryer sections (steam heated, 3 cans, 4 cans), a size press and a calender stack. Operation is controlled by a state-of-the-art Yokogawa DCS system.

The paper machine is utilized for a range of applications. The primary function is the manufacture of specialty paper-based intermediate materials containing embedded metal fibers. These sheets are subsequently converted into microfibrous metal fiber-based products. The machine is also available for product development trials for the benefit of member companies of the Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation. Research applications include determination of the papermaking characteristics of alternative fiber resources. The machine is also utilized for educational purposes in the areas of papermaking and process control.

Auburn University's Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering has established a Sensor Technology Unit to facilitate the transfer of breakthrough technology resulting from an intense DOE - funded research effort focused on control of the kraft digester. The first commercial demonstrations of our unique expertise in spectral data analysis have been achieved employing near infrared (NIR) sensors to provide complete, reliable chemical analysis of pulping liquors in real time in demanding mill environments.

This technology opens up tremendous opportunities for the pulp and paper industry to achieve new levels of advanced process control resulting in significant competitive advantage in terms of process efficiencies, product quality, minimization of environmental impacts and reduced costs. The Sensor Technology Unit is now working with sensor manufacturers and process control companies to achieve effective technology transfer for the benefit of the U.S. pulp and paper industry.

AC-PABE is in partnership with the Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing Center for the purpose of producing biofiltration devices and systems for deployment in the war on terrorism. A venture capital company, Intramicron, has been formed to manufacture and market these products. AC-PABE’s pilot paper machine is a central component of the manufacturing process producing the key microfibrous materials.

To guide the AC-PABE into the 21st century, a new strategic plan is now in place focusing on key strategic outcomes related to our missions of education, research, technology transfer and extension. The plan identifies specific metrics of success and outlines a number of strategic actions to be implemented in the time frame, 2000-2005.