LP opens Innovation Center
27 July 2023LP Building Solutions (LP), a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, announced the grand opening of the LP Innovation Center. The facility, located at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth, marks a significant milestone in LP's commitment to growth, innovation and sustainability, emphasising its focus on driving future growth through new product development.
In this unique industry-university collaboration, the LP Innovation Center seeks to advance the use of sustainable technology in engineered wood products and applications to move the building materials industry forward. The facility provides a controlled environment for rigorous evaluation and testing in partnership with NRRI’s building science and engineering teams, enabling LP to achieve its ambitious roadmap of future LP SmartSide Trim & Siding and LP Structural Solutions products slated for release within the next five to 10 years.
"We firmly believe that our products, coupled with responsible forest management, have the power to enhance carbon storage and contribute to the shift towards a lower carbon economy,” said LP executive vice-president and general manager of Siding Jason Ringblom.
“Equally important to us is cultivating strong relationships with the communities in which we reside and operate, which includes the team at NRRI. Together, we can build a sustainable future and positively impact both the environment and the communities we serve."
The centre features a full-scale mock house, display wall, and small-scale fabrication shop, allowing LP to evaluate and optimise installation and application methods for engineered wood home-building products. Additionally, the centre is designed to be a collaborative environment for LP's team, NRRI scientists and engineers, and key customers to develop new products.
“NRRI and LP have been working together over the last few years on individual projects, so it’s very exciting to take this next step in the relationship,” said NRRI director of partnership development Tim White. “As an applied research institute focused on commercialising technologies to improve Minnesota’s economy, NRRI believes this Innovation Center is the perfect opportunity to work collaboratively with LP to continue to innovate.”
By establishing the LP Innovation Center at NRRI, LP can leverage the scientific and engineering expertise of NRRI's professionals. Additionally, the centre benefits from the local knowledge of the LP team, given its proximity to LP's SmartSide siding mill in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
"The LP Innovation Center provides a distinct platform to demonstrate how our cutting-edge LP Structural Solutions and SmartSide products can be combined to protect homes in new and innovative ways,” said LP executive vice-president and general manager of OSB Jimmy Mason. "By leveraging the collaborative space, we can conduct research, develop solutions-driven products, and showcase the exceptional performance that our portfolio delivers to the market."
The LP Innovation Center opened its doors on June 21 at a grand opening event featuring LP vice-president of siding operations Tony Hamill, University of Minnesota Duluth interim chancellor David McMillan, NRRI executive director Rolf Weberg and others.
