Launceston will be soon home to a new national products innovation hub, Resources Minister Guy Barnett says. The announcement on the National Institute of Forest Products Innovation was made during the last day of government business enterprise hearings on Friday. The federal and state governments will pitch in $2 million each to create the centre with additional support expected to come from the industry. The project has been developed over 12 months and will be housed within the University of Tasmania’s Inveresk development. Mr Barnett said a board of key forestry representatives would oversee the institute which will focus on research on hardwood products. …“This (project) is consistent with the government’s policy to double the value of wood and wood fibre by 2036,” Mr Barnett said. He said industry would be expected to match funds for particular projects.