The head of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says a new collaboration with Finland will help reinvigorate the state’s forestry industry.

Director Gary McDowell tells Brownfield using lower grade hardwoods for mass timber construction along with wood byproducts for a Styrofoam replacement are just a few examples of biobased products the partnership is researching.

“Right now we have already 80 collaborators between Finland and Michigan,” he says.

Last week the state hosted a delegation of Fins to explore biobased and maritime opportunities.

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