SENTEC will be developed as a research and development (R&D) emphasis area for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. SENTEC will become the lead organization for developing a bio-based industry in Southern Virginia. SENTEC will conduct R&D projects that are directed toward the development and introduction of biomass crops, assessment of conversion technologies, development of co-products from conversion processes and feasibility studies for installing bio-refineries into Southern Virginia.

The SENTEC Enterprise

• 25,000 square foot facility designed to achieve LEED certification
• Will house a series of research and research support laboratories.
• Building design is scalable and lab configuration is flexible
• Management of the enterprise is directed toward technology transfer and associated commercialization
• R&D projects will progress from bench-level testing to plant trials (engaging local farmers) and demonstration projects
• In the long term, SENTEC will provide services for hire and may spin off businesses and/or license technologies developed

Corporate Partners

The Institute is proud to partner with Virdia, Inc. SENTEC's anchor tenant is an emerging firm that converts wood chips into sugars which are used in a wide array of industrial and agricultural applications. Virdia is establishing pilot operations in SENTEC, which can be scaled up for industrial and commercial sized operations elsewhere. The firm has already brought 30 jobs to Southern Virginia and is growing.  Virdia’s US headquarters are in California.

 Academic Partners

SENTEC offers unique opportunities to work with faculty and leverage the SENTEC enterprise as a regional technology development hub.

Construction Completion Date

Completed December 2011, with grand opening in April 2012

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