This award is given for outstanding accomplishments or contributions which have advanced the technology of the paper and related industries in the field of research and development and will be presented at PaperCon 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“During his career Dr. Zhu’s research and development work have focused on areas such as studies in biomass utilization, mill pulping and fiber processing technology and processes. His work has made a significant contribution to the industry’s fundamental understanding of these areas as well as our ability to use materials commercially,” notes Larry N. Montague, president and CEO of TAPPI.

Dr. Zhu’s work includes extensive research on wood fiber and biomass utilization using laboratory as well as mill studies. It includes work developing the Kraft pulping process and air emission controls, novel flotation deinking technologies, test methods for pulp and paper analysis, upgrading and pretreatment of forest residues for biofuel production and novel methods for the production of cellulose nanomaterials. It has also included research on understanding the fundamentals of cellulase enzyme interactions with lignocelluloses for woody biomass bioconversion.