![Pile of salvaged building materials in front of home being demolished.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2021-08/building-materials.jpg?itok=WgWjMEhO)
Program Overview
Our staff have been serving wood products companies across the region for more than 30 years. We collaborate closely with industrial and entrepreneurial partners and associations to develop and evaluate new products and processes, demonstrate added-value reuse and repurposing of wood-based products, and assist clients with material and product testing.
Program Goals
As a leader in building materials research, development and deployment, our goal is to develop know-how with tangible, real-world applications. We achieve this by leading innovation with research to develop new manufacturing processes and products, and by providing both market research and market development services. Our expertise is in the following areas:
- Market-Oriented Technology Development
- Adaptive Material Reuse
- Material and Product Testing
Capabilities and Expertise
- Evaluating structural, mechanical, and physical properties of wood and natural fiber-based materials, as well as a range of composites
- New product and material ideation and prototyping
- Wood-to-wood connection technology
- Evaluating structural, mechanical, and physical properties of wood and natural fiber-based materials, as well as a range of composites
- New product and material ideation and prototyping
- Value-added reuse of deconstructed building materials
Recent Projects and Partners
- Better Futures Building Reuse
- Scrimber
- High-performing building envelopes
- Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
- Maple Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association
Staff
Featured Research Projects
Related News
![Two men at a wood shop workbench focused on tabletop project.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2024-04/krause-johnson_shop_3-2024.jpg?itok=6BJJjwFO)
National conference and partnerships divert usable materials from landfills.
![A man stands by large wood panel in factory setting.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2024-02/img_6708.jpg?itok=Hg5Rq6hT)
New materials meet extreme conditions to bring wood innovations into new markets.
![Ten men stand in row in front of demo house holding ribbon while one man cuts ribbon.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-06/img_5063.jpg?itok=sdxmcRPk)
Partnership with Natural Resources Research Institute at University of Minnesota Duluth signals commitment to innovation and sustainability and fuels product pipeline.
![Ten men stand in row in front of demo house holding ribbon while one man cuts ribbon.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-06/img_5063.jpg?itok=sdxmcRPk)
Partnership with Natural Resources Research Institute at University of Minnesota Duluth signals commitment to innovation and sustainability and fuels product pipeline
![household items for resale Compilation of four images showing household items for resale.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2022-11/bfm_nov._sale_page_1_0.jpg?itok=JFGXOMPg)
NRRI expands waste diversion efforts into comprehensive program, continues expanded partnership with Better Futures Minnesota.
Media Coverage
- – These Housing Industry Partnerships Pave A Path To Innovation – Forbes
- – UMD research institute 'housing a house' for Two Harbors company – Duluth News Tribune
- – Louisiana-Pacific, NRRI create a new way to partner – Business North
- – NRRI, Louisiana Pacific create onsite showroom/innovation center – Business North
- – Innovation Center Provides New Opportunities For LP Building Solutions – Fox 21 Local News
- – LP Building Solutions Announces Grand Opening of LP Innovation Center – PR Newswire
- – LP Innovation Center inside UMD’s NRRI will focus on the future of building materials – WDIO