Researchers at Penn State University will receive a $1 million grant to fund the development of the Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Engine, officials said Thursday.
According to the university, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Penn State received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines Development Award to fund the engine, which will support the manufacture and deployment of bio-based products to be used in construction, packaging, fabrics, renewable energy and land remediation. Funding is aimed at creating a sustainable supply chain of industrial hemp to meet increased demand for renewable plant-based and recyclable products, the university said.
“The launch of the Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Engine reflects Penn State’s commitment to groundbreaking research and to fostering economic development that enriches and empowers our commonwealth, both of which are at the core of our mission as a 21st-century land-grant university,” Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said. “This is an effort undertaken in partnership with business, agriculture, government and fellow institutions of higher education — demonstrating the transformative power of public-private partnership and collaboration across industries and disciplines. I am grateful for the support of the National Science Foundation, and for the many partners who are helping make this important work possible.”
Launched by NSF’s new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the Engine Development award works to create economic, societal and technological opportunities. The Industrial Hemp Engine is one of 44 projects funded nationally in the inaugural round of awards for the program.
To create the Industrial Hemp Engine, Penn State said it will partner with Vytal Plant Science Research (VPSR), a Hazleton, Penn.-based nonprofit biotechnology corporation; as well as with Emory University; Wharton School of Business; Ben Franklin Technology Partners; the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; and several farms and private industries throughout the state.
“We are excited at Penn State Harrisburg to be able to leverage our long-term investment in plant genetics and biofuels research, development of public-private partnerships, and increased collaborations across Penn State to engage in this transdisciplinary research in response to NSF’s Engines program,” said Vahid Motevalli, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at Penn State Harrisburg.
The goal, officials said, is to develop a supply chain of industrial hemp that will meet global demand for renewable hemp-based recyclable products, while identifying research, market and supply chain development strategies; finding funding incentives; and reducing greenhouse gases through the use of carbon capture strategies.