David Peterson, MBA

Biorefinery, Biomaterials, Pulp and Paper, Biomass Management, Forest Products, Technology Commercialization / Start-Up, Scale-Up

David has 40+ years of diverse bio-economy experience evaluating and deploying creative technical solutions. He was the founder and CEO of a company that produced bioactive chemicals from sustainable biomaterials. As CTO, he led the scale-up of a novel pyrolysis/syngas-based technology and as an owner’s representative, he analyzed pilot plant and engineering designs for a Second-Generation cellulosic ethanol biorefinery. David was the site Co-Developer for a wood-to-fuel plant and facility executive for a pulp and paper biorefinery.

With leadership roles working for Potlatch Corporation, an international leader in high-quality coated printing papers, David has in-depth operational experience in papermaking, coating technology, pulping (kraft sulfate), wood handling/forestry, bleaching, industrial landfill, and wastewater treatment. With wide-ranging experience in complex, multi-product biorefinery operations, he understands how to develop successful bio/circular/green technologies. His experience also includes active pharmaceutical ingredients, pellet plant operations, natural product extraction/derivatization, artificial skin R&D, skincare products, nutraceuticals, and agricultural chemicals/bioactives. To complement these achievements, David has IP strategy, trade secret, and patent (17+ issued) portfolio management experience.

He led a multi-organizational legal team to negotiate joint development and license agreements and has negotiated agreements for industrial property purchase/leasehold, contract services/research, foreign contract manufacturing & technology licensing. David has reviewed/executed environmental permits and EPC contracts. He completed detailed engineering (FEL1-FEL3) and R&D projects, established QC/QA/training programs, and led a myriad of multi-stakeholder product and process development projects. David authored a study on the sustainability of Northeastern Minnesota’s bioeconomy and was selected for a Canadian-USA International Joint Commission committee where he was the co-chair of a biorefinery subcommittee. David has an MBA from Purdue University (Krannert School of Management) and a BS in Forest Products, Pulp & Paper Engineering, from the University of Minnesota. Contact David.