LP opens 'Innovation Center' in Minnesota
LP Building Solutions has officially opened its new LP Innovation Center.
The facility is located at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
According to the building products manufacturer and solutions provider, the center marks a significant milestone in LP's commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainability, emphasizing its focus on driving future growth through new product development.
Through collaboration with the university, the LP Innovation Center’s mission is to advance the use of sustainable technology in engineered wood products and applications to move the building materials industry forward.
LP said the facility provides a controlled environment for rigorous evaluation and testing in partnership with NRRI's building science and engineering teams.
The setting provides a roadmap for the future of LP SmartSide Trim and Siding and LP Structural Solutions products slated for release within the next five to 10 years, the Nashville, Tennessee-based company said.
"We firmly believe that our products, coupled with responsible forest management, have the power to enhance carbon storage and contribute to the shift towards a lower carbon economy," said LP Executive Vice President and General Manager of Siding Jason Ringblom. "Equally important to us is cultivating strong relationships with the communities in which we reside and operate, which includes the team at NRRI. Together, we can build a sustainable future and positively impact both the environment and the communities we serve."
The center features a full-scale mock house, display wall, and small-scale fabrication shop, allowing LP to evaluate and optimize installation and application methods for engineered wood home-building products. Additionally, the center is designed to be a collaborative environment for LP's team, NRRI scientists and engineers, and key customers to develop new products.
"NRRI and LP have been working together over the last few years on individual projects, so it's very exciting to take this next step in the relationship," said NRRI Director of Partnership Development Tim White. "As an applied research institute focused on commercializing technologies to improve Minnesota's economy, NRRI believes this Innovation Center is the perfect opportunity to work collaboratively with LP to continue to innovate."
The center will also benefit from regional knowledge, given its proximity to LP's SmartSide siding mill in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
"The LP Innovation Center provides a distinct platform to demonstrate how our cutting-edge LP Structural Solutions and SmartSide products can be combined to protect homes in new and innovative ways," said LP Executive Vice President and General Manager of OSB Jimmy Mason. "By leveraging the collaborative space, we can conduct research, develop solutions-driven products, and showcase the exceptional performance that our portfolio delivers to the market."
The LP Innovation Center hosted a grand opening ceremony on June 21.