Building Tomorrow
Advanced Wood Manufacturing, Research Institutions Lead the Path Forward
Fall 2025
By John Casey
Across Georgia, developments in both construction and research are beginning to converge around the state’s forests. Mass timber buildings are rising, demonstrating growing demand for engineered wood systems in modern construction.
At the same time, research institutions are advancing innovative wood-based materials — from lignin-derived battery components to pharmaceutical solvents — that could help bring industrial production back to the United States while relying on an abundant, renewable domestic resource: Southern Yellow Pine.
With a world-leading wood basket, established forest products infrastructure and research institutions focused on moving technologies from laboratory to commercial scale, Georgia is positioned to lead the next generation of forest products markets. For investors evaluating where advanced wood products can scale reliably, the state offers a combination of feedstock, expertise and business climate that few regions can match.
At the same time, research institutions are advancing innovative wood-based materials — from lignin-derived battery components to pharmaceutical solvents — that could help bring industrial production back to the United States while relying on an abundant, renewable domestic resource: Southern Yellow Pine.
With a world-leading wood basket, established forest products infrastructure and research institutions focused on moving technologies from laboratory to commercial scale, Georgia is positioned to lead the next generation of forest products markets. For investors evaluating where advanced wood products can scale reliably, the state offers a combination of feedstock, expertise and business climate that few regions can match.
When you only need eight to ten people to install a five- or six-story building, your labor costs are lower. At the same time, you can go vertical faster and get a return on your investment sooner.”
— Derek Ratchford, CEO, SmartLam
The Economics Behind Mass Timber’s Growth
Derek Ratchford is CEO of SmartLam, a
leading cross-laminated timber manufacturer
that sources fiber from Georgia. He has watched the market for mass timber construction evolve rapidly over the past several years. While sustainability often
dominates the conversation, he says the technology’s economic advantages are driving adoption.
“Everybody talks about the green side of mass timber, which it truly is,” Ratchford said. “But if it’s designed properly, you can cut significant time from construction projects — building 25 to 30% faster, and with significantly less labor.”
In markets where skilled construction labor remains scarce and interest rates magnify the cost of delays, those advantages compound quickly.
“When you only need eight to ten people to install a five- or six-story building, your labor costs are lower,” Ratchford
said. “At the same time, you can go vertical faster and get a return on your investment sooner.”
The market is responding. Ratchford projects that U.S. mass-timber manufacturing capacity will more than double
over the next seven to ten years, with growth concentrated in the Southeast.
“That’s where the population growth is, that’s where the fiber is, and that’s where the demand will be,” he said.
Derek Ratchford is CEO of SmartLam, a
leading cross-laminated timber manufacturer
that sources fiber from Georgia. He has watched the market for mass timber construction evolve rapidly over the past several years. While sustainability often
dominates the conversation, he says the technology’s economic advantages are driving adoption.
“Everybody talks about the green side of mass timber, which it truly is,” Ratchford said. “But if it’s designed properly, you can cut significant time from construction projects — building 25 to 30% faster, and with significantly less labor.”
In markets where skilled construction labor remains scarce and interest rates magnify the cost of delays, those advantages compound quickly.
“When you only need eight to ten people to install a five- or six-story building, your labor costs are lower,” Ratchford
said. “At the same time, you can go vertical faster and get a return on your investment sooner.”
The market is responding. Ratchford projects that U.S. mass-timber manufacturing capacity will more than double
over the next seven to ten years, with growth concentrated in the Southeast.
“That’s where the population growth is, that’s where the fiber is, and that’s where the demand will be,” he said.
Design Advantages and Market Expansion
Pat Shay, principal at GM Shay Architects in Savannah, came to mass timber through decades of work in sustainable design.
His firm’s project on Oglethorpe Square — directly across from the historic Owens- Thomas House — presented unique constraints, including the need to minimize construction impacts on surrounding centuries-old structures.
Mass timber offered a solution. The frame went up in six-and-a-half weeks with minimal disruption to neighboring buildings.
“This is an extremely sensitive place to build,” Shay said. “If we had built it out of steel or concrete, it would have had a
much more disruptive effect on the neighborhood and on the buildings immediately adjacent to it.” The aesthetic outcome reinforced the decision.
“All of that beautiful Georgia Southern Yellow Pine is just mesmerizing,” Shay said. “You just can’t look away from it.”
From a design standpoint, mass timber flips conventional practice. Structural systems that are typically concealed become architectural features, reducing the need for finishes and added materials.
“When I design a steel or concrete building, I go to great lengths to hide the structure because it looks awful,” Shay said. “With mass timber, you show it off.” Shay’s firm is now designing a new public library using mass timber and sees applications across residential, commercial and industrial projects.
“I’m hard-pressed to think of what it wouldn’t be good for,” he said. Ratchford echoes that sentiment, and points to what he views as one of the most promising emerging applications: data centers. SmartLam has completed the first mass-timber data center with Microsoft in Virginia and is exploring additional projects for large technology facilities. Construction speed, energy efficiency and thermal performance are key drivers as data-center demand accelerates
alongside artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Pat Shay, principal at GM Shay Architects in Savannah, came to mass timber through decades of work in sustainable design.
His firm’s project on Oglethorpe Square — directly across from the historic Owens- Thomas House — presented unique constraints, including the need to minimize construction impacts on surrounding centuries-old structures.
Mass timber offered a solution. The frame went up in six-and-a-half weeks with minimal disruption to neighboring buildings.
“This is an extremely sensitive place to build,” Shay said. “If we had built it out of steel or concrete, it would have had a
much more disruptive effect on the neighborhood and on the buildings immediately adjacent to it.” The aesthetic outcome reinforced the decision.
“All of that beautiful Georgia Southern Yellow Pine is just mesmerizing,” Shay said. “You just can’t look away from it.”
From a design standpoint, mass timber flips conventional practice. Structural systems that are typically concealed become architectural features, reducing the need for finishes and added materials.
“When I design a steel or concrete building, I go to great lengths to hide the structure because it looks awful,” Shay said. “With mass timber, you show it off.” Shay’s firm is now designing a new public library using mass timber and sees applications across residential, commercial and industrial projects.
“I’m hard-pressed to think of what it wouldn’t be good for,” he said. Ratchford echoes that sentiment, and points to what he views as one of the most promising emerging applications: data centers. SmartLam has completed the first mass-timber data center with Microsoft in Virginia and is exploring additional projects for large technology facilities. Construction speed, energy efficiency and thermal performance are key drivers as data-center demand accelerates
alongside artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Beyond Construction: Wood-Based Chemicals
While mass timber is gaining near-term traction in construction, Georgia’s research institutions are pursuing an
equally consequential opportunity on a longer horizon: replacing petrochemicals with renewable, wood-based alternatives.
At Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Dr. Andreas Bommarius focuses on what researchers call
xylochemicals — materials derived from the chemical components of wood.
“The U.S. chemical industry has been hollowed out over the last 40 years,” Bommarius said. “Wood provides a domestic
feedstock that could support bringing some of that manufacturing back.”
The potential applications are extensive. Carbon black used in tires and batteries, as well as industrial solvents for
pharmaceuticals and specialty manufacturing, can be produced from wood. These products are already used at scale globally, but are largely manufactured outside the United States.
“Almost none of these products are produced domestically at this point,” Bommarius said. “Especially not functionalized
specialty chemicals.”
Commercialization follows a familiar path. Processes must move from laboratory research to pilot plants before fullscale manufacturing becomes viable — a timeline that often spans a decade.
“That would be true for any new chemical process,” Bommarius said. Georgia’s workforce and business environment are critical advantages for technologies with long development timelines. Wood-based chemical manufacturing
requires workers across skill levels, from Ph.D. chemists to technicians and equipment operators — a need
well aligned with Georgia’s technical college system.
For investors evaluating where to place long-term bets on wood-based chemicals, Georgia presents what Bommarius
described as a unique combination: “The first part is the availability of wood-based resources. The second one is a great business climate. And third, I’d say it’s the innovation potential. Only Georgia has that combination of the three.”
While mass timber is gaining near-term traction in construction, Georgia’s research institutions are pursuing an
equally consequential opportunity on a longer horizon: replacing petrochemicals with renewable, wood-based alternatives.
At Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Dr. Andreas Bommarius focuses on what researchers call
xylochemicals — materials derived from the chemical components of wood.
“The U.S. chemical industry has been hollowed out over the last 40 years,” Bommarius said. “Wood provides a domestic
feedstock that could support bringing some of that manufacturing back.”
The potential applications are extensive. Carbon black used in tires and batteries, as well as industrial solvents for
pharmaceuticals and specialty manufacturing, can be produced from wood. These products are already used at scale globally, but are largely manufactured outside the United States.
“Almost none of these products are produced domestically at this point,” Bommarius said. “Especially not functionalized
specialty chemicals.”
Commercialization follows a familiar path. Processes must move from laboratory research to pilot plants before fullscale manufacturing becomes viable — a timeline that often spans a decade.
“That would be true for any new chemical process,” Bommarius said. Georgia’s workforce and business environment are critical advantages for technologies with long development timelines. Wood-based chemical manufacturing
requires workers across skill levels, from Ph.D. chemists to technicians and equipment operators — a need
well aligned with Georgia’s technical college system.
For investors evaluating where to place long-term bets on wood-based chemicals, Georgia presents what Bommarius
described as a unique combination: “The first part is the availability of wood-based resources. The second one is a great business climate. And third, I’d say it’s the innovation potential. Only Georgia has that combination of the three.”
Georgia Tech serves as a global leading research institution for advanced wood products.
Research Infrastructure and Workforce
At the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Dean Todd Petty points to the state’s academic depth as a key differentiator. Warnell operates three Society of American Foresters-accredited programs and research cooperatives that work with companies actively managing more than 23 million acres of pine forests.
“Two-thirds of our alumni remain in Georgia,” Petty said. “That reflects how vibrant the forest industry is here.”
Recent investments in biomaterials research and work on natural capital economics — including carbon, water and ecosystem services — position the school to support emerging markets as they mature.
Collaboration between Warnell and Georgia Tech further strengthens the state’s research ecosystem. “We have one of the best forestry schools in the world and one of the best engineering schools in the world,” said Bruno Kanieski da Silva, a forest economist at Warnell. “The intellectual capacity is here.”
At the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Dean Todd Petty points to the state’s academic depth as a key differentiator. Warnell operates three Society of American Foresters-accredited programs and research cooperatives that work with companies actively managing more than 23 million acres of pine forests.
“Two-thirds of our alumni remain in Georgia,” Petty said. “That reflects how vibrant the forest industry is here.”
Recent investments in biomaterials research and work on natural capital economics — including carbon, water and ecosystem services — position the school to support emerging markets as they mature.
Collaboration between Warnell and Georgia Tech further strengthens the state’s research ecosystem. “We have one of the best forestry schools in the world and one of the best engineering schools in the world,” said Bruno Kanieski da Silva, a forest economist at Warnell. “The intellectual capacity is here.”
Manufacturing Capacity and Market Development
Atlanta is increasingly serving as a proving ground for mass timber’s commercial viability. SmartLam is quoting multiple projects in the 12- to 18-story range, each adding to market confidence.
“As Atlanta continues to lead in mass timber construction, it draws attention to Georgia more than other Southern states,” Ratchford said.
The infrastructure supporting traditional forest products — interstate access, proximity to the Port of Savannah and established sawmill networks — also supports expansion into mass timber manufacturing.
“Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina are poised for this growth,” Ratchford said. “The fiber basket, sawmill availability and infrastructure are already there.”
Conversations are intensifying about locating additional manufacturing capacity in Georgia.
Following recent discussions focused on forest sector opportunities after mill closures, Shay and others see potential to capture not only construction projects, but production facilities themselves.
“We want to get a mass timber factory in South Georgia,” Shay said. For wood-based chemicals, the path is longer but similar. Pilot facilities prove processes before commercial plants are built. Georgia’s combination of feedstock,
ports, research institutions and business climate positions the state to compete as these technologies mature.
Atlanta is increasingly serving as a proving ground for mass timber’s commercial viability. SmartLam is quoting multiple projects in the 12- to 18-story range, each adding to market confidence.
“As Atlanta continues to lead in mass timber construction, it draws attention to Georgia more than other Southern states,” Ratchford said.
The infrastructure supporting traditional forest products — interstate access, proximity to the Port of Savannah and established sawmill networks — also supports expansion into mass timber manufacturing.
“Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina are poised for this growth,” Ratchford said. “The fiber basket, sawmill availability and infrastructure are already there.”
Conversations are intensifying about locating additional manufacturing capacity in Georgia.
Following recent discussions focused on forest sector opportunities after mill closures, Shay and others see potential to capture not only construction projects, but production facilities themselves.
“We want to get a mass timber factory in South Georgia,” Shay said. For wood-based chemicals, the path is longer but similar. Pilot facilities prove processes before commercial plants are built. Georgia’s combination of feedstock,
ports, research institutions and business climate positions the state to compete as these technologies mature.
The Path Forward
The foundation for growth in advanced wood products is already in place. Mass timber projects across Savannah and
Atlanta demonstrate market demand.
Data centers show the technology’s viability in demanding applications. Georgia Tech’s pilot facilities are advancing
wood-based chemicals. UGA’s research cooperatives are optimizing forest management for evolving markets.
What remains is execution — translating research into manufacturing, and market demand into in-state production.
Timelines differ by technology. Mass timber is scaling now. Wood-based chemicals will follow as processes move from pilot to production.
For companies and investors evaluating advanced wood products, Georgia’s case is straightforward: abundant feedstock, active markets, strong research, a capable workforce, and infrastructure that connects rural forests to global markets.
The question is no longer whether these technologies will scale — but where manufacturing will take root, and which
regions will capture the economic and competitive advantages that follow. ■
John Casey is a strategic communications professional who supports clients through the art of storytelling. In his downtime, John can be found hunting and fishing on his family’s centennial farm in Northwest Georgia.
The foundation for growth in advanced wood products is already in place. Mass timber projects across Savannah and
Atlanta demonstrate market demand.
Data centers show the technology’s viability in demanding applications. Georgia Tech’s pilot facilities are advancing
wood-based chemicals. UGA’s research cooperatives are optimizing forest management for evolving markets.
What remains is execution — translating research into manufacturing, and market demand into in-state production.
Timelines differ by technology. Mass timber is scaling now. Wood-based chemicals will follow as processes move from pilot to production.
For companies and investors evaluating advanced wood products, Georgia’s case is straightforward: abundant feedstock, active markets, strong research, a capable workforce, and infrastructure that connects rural forests to global markets.
The question is no longer whether these technologies will scale — but where manufacturing will take root, and which
regions will capture the economic and competitive advantages that follow. ■
John Casey is a strategic communications professional who supports clients through the art of storytelling. In his downtime, John can be found hunting and fishing on his family’s centennial farm in Northwest Georgia.
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Georgia Forestry Magazine is published by HL Strategy, an integrated marketing and communications firm focused on our nation's biggest challenges and opportunities. Learn more at hlstrategy.com
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