Exploring Sustainability in Action: Sustainable Materials and Technology Students Tour Arauco’s Moncure Plant

Students in the Sustainable Composites and Biopolymers (SMT 444) course recently visited Arauco’s manufacturing plant in Moncure, NC—one of the world’s leading producers of wood panels. This immersive field experience provided valuable insights into how sustainable practices are applied in the manufacturing of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is widely used in furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.

Arauco, the second-largest wood panel producer globally, is known for its commitment to sustainability, a key focus of the course. Dr. Frederik Laleicke, who teaches the course, emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences to bridge the gap between theory and practice. “It’s one of the few opportunities to show students how the concepts we teach are implemented in industry,” he explains. “It’s also a great way to showcase how alumni, like Nathan Honeycutt, have built careers using the knowledge gained from the SMT program.” Nathan, a 2018 graduate of Sustainable Materials and Technology, has been with Arauco since graduation and currently serves as the Continuous Improvement Manager.

For many students, the tour highlighted the range of career possibilities in sustainable materials. Senior Luna Shaffer remarked, “Getting to see real-world scenarios of what the industry is like, rather than just sitting in the classroom, is an excellent way to understand what we could be doing in our future.”

The tour provided students with the opportunity to ask questions and observe Arauco’s large-scale operations firsthand, offering a comprehensive look at the manufacturing process. While some students, like junior Jack Zimmerman, felt that plant work might not align with their career aspirations, he appreciated the experience for helping students clarify their interests within the industry. “Internships and tours like this help us figure out where we fit in the industry. SMT offers a range of career paths, not just manufacturing,” said Jack, who is pursuing an internship this upcoming summer in sustainable building.

Senior Zac Merrill, who is currently interning at Arauco’s Moncure plant, shared his perspective on the experience. “I’ve worked at Arauco for the past two summers and really enjoyed the experience. It’s definitely an option I will look at post-graduation.”

Overall, the tour sparked meaningful discussions about sustainable materials and career opportunities in the field of sustainable materials and technology, offering students an invaluable glimpse into the future of the industry. Thank you to Nathan and the rest of the Arauco team for this opportunity!

-Written by Jack Zimmerman