Wood is a renewable resource and sustainable material when it is harvested from responsibly managed forests. It is also a fundamental building block of the U.S. economy. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the U.S. forest products industry employs about 950,000 people with a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. The industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, producing nearly $300 billion in products.

Forest Service research advances wood science and applications to drive a circular economy, diversify wood applications and markets, keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S., and contribute to the prosperity of rural communities. Forest Service scientists investigate wood and wood fiber properties, harness cutting-edge technologies to develop renewable polymers and green chemicals from wood, and research ways to make structures safer and more sustainable.

Much of the Forest Service’s forest products research is conducted at the Forest Products Lab in Madison, Wisconsin. Research programs include biorefinery and biomass utilization, nanotechnology, wood science, wood structures, wood and polymeric composites, biotechnology, pulp, paper, wood preservation, and life-cycle assessments. Agency scientists also provide technical support to the public and industries for using wood, wood identification, building code development, and international standards development.