ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative (GFII), a collaborative effort led by Georgia Tech and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), today announced the selection of The Langdale Company as its industry collaborator for development of a pilot-scale manufacturing facility designed to accelerate commercialization of innovative forest-based products and technologies. 

The pilot facility is expected to support development of technologies that convert underutilized woody biomass, forestry residuals, and mill byproducts into higher-value chemicals, advanced materials, carbon products, fuels, and other forest-derived products. The effort builds upon years of research and commercialization activities underway through Georgia Tech's Renewable Bioproducts Institute and the Center for a Renewables-Based Economy from Wood (ReWOOD.) GFII was established to help accelerate pilot-scale deployment, technology commercialization, and industry relationships that can strengthen Georgia's forest economy and create new manufacturing opportunities across the state.  

The Langdale Company was selected through a competitive Request for Collaboration process that was open Aug. 3 through Aug. 31, 2026. Proposals were evaluated based on site suitability, operational capabilities, industry expertise, partnership commitment, and the ability to support long-term commercialization objectives. The Langdale Company demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing Georgia's forest economy and helping scale technologies with the potential to create new manufacturing opportunities throughout the state. 

The selection follows a public information meeting held July 31, 2026, in Macon, Georgia, where Georgia Tech and the Georgia Forestry Commission outlined the collaboration opportunity and invited participation from forestry companies, sawmills, manufacturers, economic development organizations, and other interested stakeholders. 

 The pilot facility will serve as a critical bridge between laboratory-scale research and commercial deployment, enabling emerging technologies to be tested, optimized, and validated under real-world operating conditions. The initiative aims to create new markets for Georgia's abundant forest resources while supporting economic development, manufacturing growth, and innovation throughout the state. 

"Georgia's forestry sector remains one of the state's most important economic drivers, and innovation will be critical to ensuring its continued success," said Johnny Sabo, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. "This collaboration reflects the power of connecting industry, government, and higher education. Together, we are creating new pathways to add value to Georgia's forest resources, strengthen rural communities, and support future growth across the forestry supply chain." 

"Innovation creates the greatest value when it moves beyond the laboratory and into the marketplace," said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech. “This collaboration establishes the infrastructure needed to transform promising technologies into commercially viable products, from advanced materials and chemicals to fuels and carbon-based products. It’s an investment in the future competitiveness of Georgia's forestry and manufacturing sectors." 

Why This Site and The Langdale Company Were Selected 

The Langdale Company and its Valdosta location offer a unique combination of infrastructure, operational expertise, regional connectivity, and long-term commitment necessary to support pilot-scale operations. The location provides an opportunity to efficiently test and validate emerging forest-based technologies while creating a pathway toward future commercial deployment. The collaboration is expected to strengthen connections among researchers, manufacturers, forest landowners, and industry stakeholders working to create new markets for Georgia's forest resources. 

About The Langdale Company 

The Langdale Company was founded in 1894 by John Wesley Langdale on the western edge of the Okeefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia, USA. Today the fifth generation of Langdales has assumed leadership of the company. Langdale Forest Product Co. was incorporated in 1987 but had been the manufacturing arm of The Langdale Company since 1941. Our Barnesville plant was acquired in 2023. 

One of the cornerstones of Langdale Forest Products’ continued success is the commitment to innovation through research and development in the science of forestry. Widely recognized as true stewards of the forest, Langdale specializes in complete utilization of forest resources. Every year we plant more trees than we harvest, and have since the 1930’s. To date we have planted over 130 million pine seedlings. At a time when companies are divesting themselves of timber holdings, Langdale is dedicated to continued growth of their timber base. 

Langdale Forest Products Co. (sawmills), a domestic profit corporation, is a subsidiary company of The Langdale Company. Any agreements with Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative would be entered by Langdale Forest Products Co. Both The Langdale Company and Langdale Forest Products Co. are located at 1202 Madison Highway Valdosta, GA 31601; with a mailing address of P.O. Box 1088, Valdosta, GA 31603. 

About the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative 

The Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative is an $8.9 million, state-funded effort led jointly by Georgia Tech and the Georgia Forestry Commission. GFII is focused on advancing pilot-scale facilities, accelerating technology commercialization, and supporting new manufacturing opportunities that create value from Georgia's forest resources. The initiative seeks to transform underutilized wood and forest-industry byproducts into higher-value chemicals, materials, fuels, carbon products, and other advanced products while supporting economic development across Georgia.  

Next Steps 

Planning, engineering, permitting, and site-development activities will begin immediately. Additional development, investment discussions, and infrastructure planning will continue through fall 2026, with a goal of initiating construction activities before the end of the year and advancing the facility toward operational readiness in 2027. The pilot facility is expected to become a cornerstone of Georgia's growing forest-based innovation ecosystem and a model for research-to-commercialization collaborations nationwide.