Process Development Center mentioned in MaineToday article on beer coasters
The University of Maine’s Process Development Center was mentioned in a MaineToday Magazine article about a Maine-based company looking to develop beer coasters. After entrepreneur Kai Smith found the vast majority of the world’s coasters come from one town in Germany, he learned the raw materials used to make them are similar to what is available locally, which could create an opportunity for Maine’s foresters. The new company, Maine Beer Coasters, is prototyping locally made coasters with help from the Process Development Center and using funds awarded by the Maine Technology Institute, according to the article. The Process Development Center will help determine if there are any differences in composition between the Maine spruce pulp and the German pulp and how to make the best product possible using local materials, the article states. Typical coasters are made from a layered “web” of wood fibers, made of spruce and softwood pulp and 20 to 40 percent recycled newsprint. Smith said he hopes to replace the newsprint portion with spent grain. “I’ve discovered, and been told by the University of Maine, that the fibrous nature of the grain will act as a good substitute and may even be a smoother finish for printing purposes,” he said. Woodworking Network also published an article on the project.