LP Building Solutions announced the grand opening of the LP Innovation Center. The facility, located at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth, marks a significant milestone in LP's commitment to growth, innovation and sustainability, emphasizing its focus on driving future growth through new product development. In this unique industry-university collaboration, the LP Innovation Center seeks to advance the use of sustainable technology in engineered wood products and applications to move the building materials industry forward.

The facility provides a controlled environment for rigorous evaluation and testing in partnership with NRRI's building science and engineering teams, enabling LP to achieve its ambitious roadmap of future LP(R) SmartSide(R) Trim & Siding and LP Structural Solutions products slated for release within the next five to 10 years. The center features a full-scale mock house, display wall, and small-scale fabrication shop, allowing LP to evaluate and optimize installation and application methods for engineered wood home-building products. Additionally, the center is designed to be a collaborative environment for LP's team, NRRI scientists and engineers, and key customers to develop new products.

By establishing the LP Innovation Center at NRRI, LP can leverage the scientific and engineering expertise of NRRI's professionals. Additionally, the center benefits from the local knowledge of the LP team, given its proximity to LP's SmartSide siding mill in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The LP Innovation Center opened its doors on June 21 at a grand opening event featuring LP Vice President of Siding Operations Tony Hamill, University of Minnesota Duluth Interim Chancellor David McMillan, NRRI Executive Director Rolf Weberg and others.