The Neenah Technical Center (NTC) is the hub of innovation at Georgia-Pacific—where more than 200 scientists, engineers, and researchers drive advancements across our consumer products and professional business solutions. I come to the office five days a week because this R&D powerhouse is so invigorating. I have a PhD in Chemistry yet learn something new every day from the diverse technical experts here.

I literally wear my passion for science on my sleeve—often sporting chemistry-related outfits. My favorite sweater has serotonin molecules on it, but I get the best reaction from my periodic table boots! Like Ms. Frizzle, I love to inspire young people, especially girls, to enjoy hands-on scientific exploration and envision themselves as future scientists.

Research and development require constant creativity, messy experimentation and learning from failure. Behind every successful formulation is a long process of finding what does—and does not—work through extensive lab work to push the boundaries of what is possible.

GP PRO’s holistic view of the formulation-dispenser equation is a major competitive differentiator. Our healthcare solutions are based on a “hygiene ready” concept to elevate a facility’s readiness in preventing the spread of infection—from touchless dispensing and advanced, clinically-tested soap and sanitizer formulations to sealed, hygienic refills that ensure product integrity.

We focus on specific use cases to build our own soaps and sanitizers, leading to dozens of formulations, including gentle and effective foam soaps for everyday handwashing, moisturizing hand sanitizer for frequent use, as well as antimicrobial soaps and sanitizers with germ-killing properties.
Enhanced formulas for healthcare and foodservice feature the antimicrobial agent, BZK, which is tested against 25 microorganisms and kills 99.99% of many common harmful germs that may cause illness. Our antimicrobial soaps are often E2-rated to clean and sanitize hands effectively in food processing and handling, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Research helps us better anticipate customer needs. Based on GP PRO surveys, we know that nurses wash and sanitize their hands up to 100 times daily, which takes a toll on skin health. We have great empathy for anyone forced to work with red, chapped, and cracked skin caused by excessive hand washing and sanitizing.
Research informs lab work, enabling us to find ideal ingredient combinations that safeguard and moisturize skin. FDA protocols are followed to ensure efficacy, followed by clinical studies, customer focus groups, and direct user feedback, as needed.

We consider how each skin layer functions and the potential impact of various ingredients on the entire skin structure. Skin has a certain pH value that measures how acidic or basic a substance is, so we design our formulations to work with the skin’s natural pH level. We also evaluate Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which is the natural evaporation of water from the skin’s outermost layer. This is a vital indicator of skin barrier health, which is critical for retaining moisture and protecting the body from bacteria, viruses, and irritants.

Our enhanced formulations for antimicrobial soap include green tea and acai to combat oxidative stress and environmental damage while the soothing properties of oat extract moisturize and increase skin-barrier support.
GP PRO’s advanced dermatologist-tested hand sanitizer contains aloe and vitamin B5, along with a botanical blend of more than six moisturizing ingredients, including bisabolol, an oil derived from chamomile. This formula is clinically proven to improve skin hydration in just two days, while killing 99.99% of common harmful germs that may cause illness.

We share a commitment to APIC’s mission: “To advance the science and practice of infection control.” Our brand promise is built around creating safer, healthier environments for everyone.
This promise extends to how we design products and skin care solutions, ensuring reliability and maintenance simplicity. Opportunities to reduce waste, conserve resources and operate sustainably also are at the core of everything we do at NTC and across Georgia-Pacific.