A Maryland-based startup is poised to transform the construction with the commercial launch this summer of an engineered wood product that, according to its inventors, can outperform steel in strength while maintaining the aesthetic appeal and sustainability benefits of natural timber.
InventWood, founded to commercialize breakthrough technology developed at the University of Maryland, will begin producing its first batches of “Superwood” in the coming months. This revolutionary building material promises to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of modern construction.
The technology behind Superwood was initially developed in 2018 by Liangbing Hu, a materials scientist at the University of Maryland, who devised a method to transform ordinary wood into a material stronger than steel. What began as a headline-grabbing laboratory discovery has evolved into a commercially viable product after years of refinement.
Rather than let his discovery remain confined to academic circles, Hu dedicated several years to perfecting the process, dramatically reducing production time from more than a week to just a few hours. This efficiency breakthrough made commercial production feasible, leading to the technology being licensed to InventWood.
The production process begins with regular timber, which primarily consists of cellulose and lignin. The goal is to strengthen the natural cellulose already present in the wood, with InventWood’s CEO Alex Lau noting that cellulose nanocrystals have greater strength than carbon fiber.
The innovative process involves treating wood with food industry chemicals to modify its molecular structure, followed by compression to increase hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules. Lau explains that densifying the material by four times doesn’t just quadruple its strength – it creates approximately ten times more strength due to the additional molecular bonds formed during the process.
The resulting material offers remarkable performance characteristics that could revolutionize sustainable construction:
Superwood boasts 50 percent more tensile strength than steel with a strength-to-weight ratio that’s 10 times better, according to InventWood. It’s also achieved a Class A fire rating, indicating high resistance to flame, and demonstrates superior resistance to rot and pests. When treated with polymer impregnation, it becomes suitable for exterior applications like siding, decking, and roofing.
These properties address several of the historical limitations of mass timber construction. Traditional mass timber faces challenges related to moisture absorption, combustibility, and aesthetic durability. During construction, conventional mass timber can absorb water, causing it to swell, shrink, and potentially warp. Given continuous exposure to moisture, traditional softwood can develop mold and decay.
InventWood is initially focusing on “skin applications” with its first smaller commercial plant, with plans to eventually address structural “bones of the building” applications. The CEO notes that concrete and steel in construction account for 90 percent of a building’s carbon impact, highlighting the significant environmental opportunity.
The company’s vision has attracted several financial backers. To build its production facility, InventWood secured $15 million in the first close of a Series A funding round led by the Grantham Foundation, with participation from Baruch Future Ventures, Builders Vision, and Muus Climate Partners.
Unlike many engineered building materials that sacrifice appearance for strength, Superwood maintains the visual charm of natural wood while enhancing its performance characteristics.
The compression process concentrates the wood’s natural colors, resulting in rich tones similar to tropical hardwoods like walnut or ipe, without requiring staining. This aesthetic quality positions Superwood to compete in high-end architectural applications where appearance is as important as performance.
The construction industry’s environmental impact has come under increasing scrutiny, with traditional materials like concrete and steel accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. Superwood offers a promising alternative by utilizing a renewable resource that actively sequesters carbon.
InventWood aims to reduce the construction sector’s environmental footprint by replacing carbon-intensive materials with engineered wood products. Sustainability consultants note that the industry has been searching for materials that combine structural performance with environmental benefits, and engineered wood products like Superwood represent a significant advancement in addressing these parallel challenges.
InventWood’s market entry comes amid growing interest in innovative wood products across the construction sector. As the design and construction industry shifts toward more eco-conscious building systems, mass timber has become a prominent element in this new direction, with leading architectural firms favoring it and the wood industry actively promoting it.
The timing appears favorable as regulatory frameworks continue to evolve to support sustainable construction materials. Organizations such as WoodWorks, RDH, and Mass Timber Group have provided extensive open-source documentation on technical aspects of designing and constructing with mass timber. Building codes are also being rapidly updated to address mass timber in multiple construction types.
As InventWood prepares for its summer production launch, the construction industry is watching closely to see how this revolutionary material performs in real-world applications. If successful, Superwood could represent the beginning of a significant shift in how we approach building materials, potentially reducing both environmental impact and construction costs while maintaining structural integrity.
Editor’s Note: This article examines emerging technology in sustainable construction materials. Designers and builders should consult local building codes and structural engineers when considering new materials for specific projects.
