Mercer International Inc. has announced it has established a C$1 million partnership with The University of British Columbia's (UBC) Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and The Pulp and Paper Centre, both in the Faculty of Applied Science, in the creation of an industrial research chair in Advanced Forest Bio-Products Engineering.

"Mercer is very pleased to be partnering with the Department and the Centre, both of which have well respected reputations for strong commitments to education and research excellence," said Jimmy Lee, President and CEO.

"Mercer's five year commitment to support this new research chair at UBC underscores our belief in the future of the forest products industry and the opportunities and resulting value potentially available to the industry in the emerging bio-economy," says Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee also noted that, "Mercer is committed to being a global leader in sustainable forest practices, which includes maximizing the value of our forest resources through sound forestry management and investing in research and development that will generate tomorrow's transformative technologies. Partnering with UBC is a natural extension of our desire to be at the forefront of the industry's transformation."

The chairholder, who will be appointed in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and who will work closely with the Pulp and Paper Centre, will focus specifically on establishing the scientific and engineering breakthroughs needed to create commercially viable opportunities for sustainably converting forest fibre resources into new high-value bio-products.

"Our strategy of continuously striving for world-class performance, and of implementing new and innovative technologies which improve our social, environmental and economic sustainability, is at the core of why Mercer is proud to support this research chair in Advanced Forest Bio-Products Engineering at UBC," said David Gandossi, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.