There is a great need in the forest products industry and, more specifically, the pulp and paper industry to find bio-based processes that reduce the capital costs of pulp production, can be readily implemented in the mill, and provide an exceptional return for the resources invested. These new technologies would reduce chemical and energy costs, and provide tremendous environmental benefits. These technologies are now technically feasible and within our grasp.

At a recent Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) Biotechnology/Pulping Conference in November, Dr. Ragauskas delivered a paper entitled "The Challenge of Change" which demonstrated that there are unparalleled opportunities for researchers to develop new biotechnology-based processes for these industries. Further, Dr. Ragauskas initiated the idea of creating a web forum to facilitate discussions on biotechnology in the forest products industry and specifically pulp and paper issues on a worldwide basis.

This new web-based forum can be accessed at: http://forums.ipst.edu/cgi-bin/biotech/wwwthreads.pl and participants are welcomed to use this forum to discuss issues of importance in biotechnology and its current and future applications in the forest products and pulp and paper industries. This new biotech forum creates a channel for dialog to advance the use of biotechnology for the benefit of industries that are vitally important to the global economy. The purpose of this new forum is to serve as a common site whereby students, researchers, suppliers, and pulp and paper manufacturers will explore biotechnology issues as well as post upcoming conferences, research, employment opportunities, continuing education needs and opportunities, and related subject matter that advance the field.

Further, there is a road map for the future of biotechnology in these industries that is available at: http://www.ipst.edu/faculty/ragauskas_bio_map.htm . We hope that you will join this forum and participate in these discussions of issues central to the economic, scientific, and environmental success of these globally significant industries.