ICFPA Announces Winners of International Forest Sector Innovation Awards Program
New York – The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024-2025 Blue Sky Young Awards program, a global initiative that helps recognize and promote young researchers and professionals who are driving innovation and advancing positive change in the field of forestry, harvested wood products, forest products innovation and manufacturing or other innovations throughout the forest sector value chain.
The awards program, in its 5th edition, features 2 categories:
- Young Researchers Innovation Award, recognizing outstanding students and researchers age 30 and younger;
- And Young Professionals Innovation Award, recognizing outstanding projects from professionals and academics age 35 and younger.
This year, ICFPA members nominated 15 candidates from around the world to compete internationally. Following careful consideration by a jury composed of leaders with connections to industry, academia, and public policy across the globe, the three winners in each category were selected to receive recognition for their exceptional contributions to the forest products industry:
Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award
- First Place: Penghui Zhu – Canada
Nominated by: Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
Research subject: Stretchable Yet Mechanically Strong All-Cellulose Film: A Sustainable Alternative to Plastics
- Second Place: Titta Kiiskinen – Finland
Nominated by: Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi)
Research subject: Air Filtering – With Sustainable Materials
- Third Place: Sandro Zier – United States
Nominated by: American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)
Research subject: Vacuum assisted coating of cellulose nanofibers onto paper to replace single-use plastic food packaging
Blue Sky Young Professionals Innovation Award
- First Place: Aysan Najd Mazhar – United States
Nominated by: American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)
Research subject: Sustainable Molded-Pulp Packaging from Hot-Water Extracted Restoration Wood
- Second Place: François Bru – France
Nominated by: Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi)
Research subject: All cellulose barrier material for the development of recyclable and biodegradable food packaging solution
- Third Place: Brendon de Raad – Netherlands
Nominated by: Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi)
Research subject: Towards a Sustainable Dutch Paper Industry: The Application of Heat Pumps
“We are deeply inspired by the exceptional quality of submissions received for this year’s Blue Sky Awards program,” said Heidi Brock, ICFPA President and President of the American Forest & Paper Association. “The innovators behind these projects are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of forest products, sustainable manufacturing and the forest bioeconomy. These visionary researchers and emerging professionals are redefining possibilities, proving that forest-based materials offer remarkable alternatives for a more resilient and sustainable world. We are proud to recognize and champion their trailblazing efforts.”
Winners will receive a cash prize and presented their research projects to an international group of forestry and forest products business leaders at ICFPA’s Global CEO Roundtable event, recently held in New York City in May.
To learn more about the Blue Sky Awards for the Global Forest Products Sector, visit our website.
The ICFPA serves as a forum of global dialogue, coordination and co-operation. Currently, the ICFPA represents 16 pulp, paper, wood and fibre-based associations that encompass 27 countries, including many of the top pulp, paper and wood producers around the world.
For more information, contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker, VP Communications
Communications Secretariat for ICFPA
t : 613-563-1441 ext. 314
