InventWood, a Maryland-based company, has commercially launched “Superwood,” a revolutionary engineered wood material that is up to 10 times stronger than steel by weight and six times lighter, offering a sustainable alternative poised to transform construction and manufacturing. This innovation, developed through over a decade of research, enhances wood’s natural properties to achieve unprecedented strength and durability while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.
The development of Superwood stems from the work of material scientist Liangbing Hu, who began experimenting with wood re-engineering at the University of Maryland. Hu’s breakthrough in 2017 involved chemically treating wood to strengthen its cellulose—the main component of plant fibers—and then hot-pressing it to collapse the cellular structure, resulting in a denser, tougher material. This process, detailed in a study published in Nature, produces a strength-to-weight ratio higher than most structural metals and alloys, marking a significant advancement in material science.
Superwood is manufactured by InventWood at its plant in Frederick, Maryland, using a refined process that now takes hours instead of days. The material is made from real wood that undergoes chemical treatment and compression without the use of adhesives, altering it at the molecular level to achieve superior performance. According to InventWood, Superwood is up to 20 times stronger than regular wood and 10 times more resistant to dents, while also being impervious to fungi, insects, and fire, as confirmed by standard resistance tests.
Initial commercial applications focus on external uses such as decking and cladding, with plans to expand to internal elements like wall paneling, flooring, and furniture by next year. InventWood CEO Alex Lau emphasized that Superwood looks and behaves like wood but outperforms it in strength and durability, potentially allowing for buildings that are up to four times lighter. This lightness could enhance earthquake resistance, simplify construction, and reduce foundation loads, making structures easier and faster to build.
The material’s properties enable it to replace metal components in furniture, such as screws, nails, and joints, addressing common issues like sagging and breakdown over time. Lau projected that entire buildings could eventually be constructed from Superwood, though this requires further testing and industry adoption. The company has tested the process on 19 different wood species and bamboo, demonstrating versatility, and holds over 140 patents related to the technology.
Environmentally, Superwood production has a carbon footprint 90% lower than steel manufacturing, aligning with sustainability goals by storing carbon in its woody biomass and reducing emissions compared to traditional materials. While it currently costs more than regular wood, InventWood aims to compete with steel on price as production scales up. The resurgence of timber construction, evidenced by wood skyscrapers in cities like Milwaukee, highlights the growing interest in sustainable building materials.
Experts like Philip Oldfield, an architecture professor at the University of New South Wales, note that stronger timber products like Superwood could allow architects to design larger spans and more durable finishes, fostering greater uptake in construction. However, he pointed out that the industry’s risk-averse nature and slow change necessitate better education, pilot projects, and regulatory frameworks. Superwood’s potential to lock in carbon emissions and its compatibility with various wood species position it as a key player in the future of green building, driving innovation in sustainable design.