Capitol Hill event highlights biobased manufacturing 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 17, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) represented the U.S. paper and wood products manufacturing industry in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry's "Grow It Here, Make It Here" Spotlight on Innovation event, which highlighted new technologies from 35 innovators in 25 states.

Hosted in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the event served as an educational, hands-on complement to a hearing held earlier in the day. "Grow it Here, Make it Here: Creating Jobs through Bio-Based Manufacturing" examined the role that biobased products play in helping to revitalize and re-energize American manufacturing and how that helps grow the economy and create jobs across the country.

"This event allowed us to reach our industry's most important allies in Congress, sending a clear message that our products are not only biobased, but also some of the most innovative among all commodities," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

Featured products provided by member companies included:

• Compostable hot beverage cups (MeadWestvaco)
• Enhanced folding carton, BioPlus-Terra, Meta Tray-8, and EZSense Displays (RockTenn)
• ecotainer^®, Hammermill Great White Paper, Hammermill Tidal Paper, and Hold & Go^® cups (International Paper)
• Xerox FunFlip^®, Xerox^® folding laser board, thermal paper, and popcorn bag (Domtar)