The 2022 BDC Fall Forum was held in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas and focused on biorenewable commercialization in the industry.  BDC works to connect emerging technologies with industry partners to accelerate deployment and optimize value.  The Forum kicked off with opening remarks from the Secretary of Agriculture for Arkansas, Wes Ward and followed by an award presentation by BDC as it honored Green Bay Packaging with its Outstanding Innovation Award.  Matthew Szymanski, Vice President of Operations, accepted the award on behalf of Green Bay Packaging and also provided the Keynote address on the need for innovation in the industry through partnerships.

The program featured several technologies that are at or near commercial status, including Via Separations, Arbios Biotech, Head Engineering, Origin Materials, Genifuel, MURA Technologies, MDGS, and MetGen.  The Forum also featured presentations from USDA on renewable opportunities and DOE in its clean hydrogen initiative.  The program was spit into panels that discussed:  1.  Energy Savings from Specialized VIA Separations’ Membrane Concentration of Weak Black Liquor (included real-time comments from both Graphics Packaging International and Ahlstrom Munksjö, who both completed mill trials of the Via Separations technology), 2.  Commercial Progress of Biorenewable Projects, 3.  Commercial Progress Regarding Landfill Diversion Technologies, and 4.  Commercial Progress of Renewable Products.  Also featured was an after-dinner presentation by Valmet regarding their LignoBoost commercial progress.