InventWood Set to Revolutionize Construction with Superwood: Stronger Than Steel

Imagine a world where wood is stronger than steel. It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to InventWood, a startup born from a University of Maryland lab, this vision is becoming a reality. In 2018, materials scientist Liangbing Hu discovered a groundbreaking method to transform ordinary wood into a super-material, now known as Superwood.

Initially, the discovery seemed destined to remain within the confines of academia. As Alex Lau, CEO of InventWood, explains, “All these people came to him… He’s like, OK, this is amazing, but I’m a university professor. I don’t know quite what to do about it.”

However, Hu persevered, dedicating the following years to refining the production process, slashing the manufacturing time from over a week to just a few hours. With the technology ready for commercialization, InventWood licensed it and is now preparing to produce its first batches of Superwood this summer.

The initial focus will be on “skin applications,” according to Lau. “Eventually we want to get to the bones of the building. Ninety percent of the carbon impact from buildings is concrete and steel in the construction of the building.” This ambitious goal reflects Superwood’s potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry.

To facilitate this groundbreaking production, InventWood has secured $15 million in the first close of a Series A funding round. The investment was spearheaded by the Grantham Foundation, with participation from Baruch Future Ventures, Builders VC, and Muus Climate Partners. This funding will enable the construction of InventWood’s first commercial plant.

Superwood’s creation process begins with regular timber, primarily composed of cellulose and lignin. The innovation lies in fortifying the existing cellulose within the wood. As Lau notes, “The cellulose nanocrystal is actually stronger than a carbon fiber.”

InventWood employs “food industry” chemicals to modify the lignin, followed by compression to enhance the hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules. This process can densify the material by four times, resulting in a tenfold increase in strength due to the formation of additional bonds.

The resulting Superwood boasts 50% greater tensile strength than steel, coupled with a strength-to-weight ratio that surpasses steel by a factor of ten. Furthermore, it achieves a Class A fire rating, demonstrating high flame resistance, and exhibits resistance to rot and pests. With polymer impregnation, Superwood can also be stabilized for outdoor applications, including siding, decking, and roofing. InventWood’s initial product line will feature facade materials tailored for commercial and high-end residential buildings.

The compression process also intensifies the wood’s natural colors, yielding a material that resembles rich, tropical hardwoods.

Looking ahead, InventWood plans to utilize wood chips to manufacture structural beams of varying dimensions, eliminating the need for finishing. Lau envisions I-beams that are “beautiful, like walnut, ipe… These are the natural colors. We haven’t stained any of this.”