Renewable Bioproducts Institute

Welcome to RBI

Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) champions innovation in converting biomass into value-added products, developing advanced chemical and bio-based refining technologies, and advancing excellence in manufacturing processes. Our three strategic thrusts are circular materials; bioindustrial manufacturing; and paper, packaging, and tissue. The Renewable Bioproducts Institute was formerly named the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.

We serve as a campus conduit for industry-university partnerships and provide a portal to Georgia Tech core laboratories, faculty, and students whose work and expertise is focused on biomass, bioproducts, and circular materials. RBI is one of ten campus interdisciplinary research institutes.

Paper Science & Technology Exhibit Image Contest

The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking at RBI is opening a Paper Science Technology Exhibit in Spring 2023. To showcase how studying bio-based materials, chemistries, and products at the micro- and nano-scales can create large-scale innovation, the Museum is holding an image contest open to all researchers.

Faculty and Students Present Research at Nanotechnology Conference

This summer, a faculty and student group from the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) at Georgia Tech attended TAPPI’s International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials (TAPPI Nano) in Helsinki, Finland.

Professional Master's in Manufacturing Leadership

Transform your career with our Professional Master's in Manufacturing Leadership (Online). You'll learn how to propel your organization forward by working on real-world problems to build your skills in operations and personnel management.

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Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Biorefining

Bioindustrial manufacturing and biorefining is focused on biobased products and chemical bioprocessing. Bioproducts research at RBI builds on decades of experience collaborating with pulp and paper manufacturers – extending today into a broad array of industries interested in creating value from forest and agricultural materials. We are also interested in addressing the fundamental and manufacturing challenges for future high margin/high volume products from biomass, with a traditional focus on forest biomaterials.

Learn more about our Biobased Products and Chemical Bioprocessing research >>

Paper, Packaging and Tissue

We continue to explore the seemingly limitless possibilities of paper. From tree to tissue, or to package, or to stationery, magazine or newspaper or thousands of other products—pulping liberates fibers from woody plants and rearranges them into a consistently formed end products. The science rests in efficient processes that conserve energy and raw materials while producing the desired product.

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Circular Materials

Our “Circular Materials” research focuses on polymer-based materials, including composites, with the ultimate goal of identifying materials and/or processes that can minimize the use of non-sustainable resources (fossil fuels) as feedstocks or energy sources. This is a complex challenge that demands a multidisciplinary approach combining fundamental science and engineering to create the necessary materials and technologies to underpin circular systems but also policy and economics to enable society to make the transition to a circular economy.

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Research Services

The research services team was created to oversee all activities related to research services for both internal and external customers. RBI's Testing Services include chemical analysis; corrosion; microscopy; paper, board and box testing; pulp analysis; and recovery. The multidisciplinary capabilities of the team make it uniquely qualified to address customers' technical needs in the areas of process and product development and quality control.

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Activities and Engagement Report for 2021

RBI's Activities and Engagement Report covering the 2021 calendar year shows impactful research publications, workshops, and supported Ph.D. fellows. There are links in the table of contents to the publications, and title pages of each paper published through RBI.

Activities and Engagement Report PDF

News

Researchers Create Smaller, Cheaper Flow Batteries for Clean Energy

Clean energy is the leading solution for climate change. But solar and wind power are inconsistent at producing enough energy for a reliable power…

Savannah River National Laboratory, Georgia Tech Select Martha Grover for Joint Appointment

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) recently selected Martha Grover, PhD, for a joint…

<p>Adapted illustration from the cover of the National Academy of Sciences report titled "Current Methods for Life Cycle Analyses of Low-Carbon Transportation Fuels in the United States." Credit: NASEM</p>

Thomas Leads National Academy Report on Evaluating Low-Carbon Emissions

Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel — the most commonly used transportation fuels — are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and their…

Events

Saturday

March

11

The 2023 Atlanta Science Festival

Returning March 10–25, 2023, the Atlanta Science Festival is an annual public celebration of local science and technology. Curious people of all ages will explore the science and technology in our…

Monday

May

29

Memorial Day - Campus Closed

Last Monday in May. A day of remembering those who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, observed the last Monday in May. Campus is closed and classes will not meet.