DOE Launches CRAFT Initiative to Transform US Pulp and Paper Industry with AI
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated the Center for Research and Advancement of Forest Product Technologies (CRAFT) to modernize the pulp, paper, and packaging industry. This initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, and advanced materials science to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness in an industry reliant on outdated infrastructure.
CRAFT will collaborate with national laboratories, universities, and industry partners to improve manufacturing processes and reduce production costs. The focus will be on optimizing existing facilities rather than building new mills, utilizing AI-driven improvements and complex modeling to address operational bottlenecks and enhance yields.
CRAFT plans to work directly with manufacturers to identify issues and test pilot-scale technologies before commercial rollout. The initiative will also provide access to advanced automation and data-analysis capabilities, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory research and factory deployment while supporting workforce development in the sector.
Original report
US top lab turns to AI to modernize America’s decades-old paper and pulp industry
InterestingEngineering.com · Muskan BhatiaThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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