Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) is one of ten campus interdisciplinary research institutes. 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.

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 and bioproducts.

The Renewable Bioproducts Institute evolved from the Institute of Paper Chemistry formed in 1929 in Appleton, Wisc. RBI continues the history of forest products research excellence and features a unique multi-million dollar endowment that supports both students and faculty pursuing innovative renewable bioproducts research.

The Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI), formerly the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), was founded in 1929 as the Institute of Paper Chemistry in the state of Wisconsin. The institute was created to provide science, technology and education in support of the pulp and paper industry, a rapidly growing sector of the economy whose executives recognized the need for employees specifically trained in the scientific processes of papermaking.

It was out of that need that an undergraduate program was initially developed to provide technical training to local mill personnel. The curriculum applied a liberal arts philosophy to the teaching of science and technology. Faculty would encourage imagination and creative thinking, grounded in thorough knowledge of fundamental research procedures. This educational philosophy continues today.