Scientists create ‘Superwood’ that’s 10 times stronger than steel

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🗞️ Driving the news: Maryland-based startup InventWood has launched Superwood, an engineered material up to 20 times stronger than regular wood and with a strength-to-weight ratio surpassing that of steel
• Created through a patented process that chemically alters and compresses natural wood fibers, Superwood is lightweight, fire-resistant, insect-proof, and dent-resistant — with potential applications in everything from furniture to structural building components

🔭 The context: InventWood was co-founded by material scientist Liangbing Hu, who began re-engineering wood over a decade ago at the University of Maryland
• After filing over 140 patents, the company is now manufacturing Superwood commercially in Frederick, Maryland
• While engineered timber has existed for years, Superwood differs by altering wood at the molecular level, rather than just bonding or laminating it
• Early applications will target decking and cladding, with expansion into furniture and interiors planned for next year

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Construction is responsible for an estimated 7% of global CO₂ emissions, largely due to concrete and steel
• Superwood offers a 90% lower carbon footprint than steel and can serve as long-term carbon storage, making it a promising alternative for low-carbon construction
• Its strength and durability could also reduce reliance on metal fasteners and non-renewable materials
• However, current production still has a higher carbon cost than traditional wood, and industry inertia remains a major barrier to widespread timber adoption

⏭️ What's next: Scaling production remains InventWood’s immediate challenge, but CEO Alex Lau projects full buildings made of Superwood could be viable in the future
• Broader uptake depends on regulatory updates, pilot projects, and industry willingness to adopt new materials
• If successful, Superwood could help catalyze a shift toward sustainable, wood-based construction in a sector dominated by concrete and steel

💬 One quote: “From a chemical and a practical standpoint, it’s wood… except it’s much stronger and better in pretty much every aspect that we’ve tested,” said InventWood CEO Alex Lau

📈 One stat: Superwood emits 90% less carbon in production than steel, according to the company — offering a promising pathway for decarbonizing materials in construction

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of innovative materials firms: InventWood, CarbonCure, and Stora Enso

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