Imagine a world where steel is matched by wood, not only in sustainability, but in sheer power and longevity. That world is rapidly approaching, thanks to Superwood, an innovative material crafted by InventWood that’s about to disrupt the building sector.
The Rise of Superwood
It started at the University of Maryland, where Dr. Liangbing Hu and his team of researchers asked the question: Can wood be engineered on a molecular level to outperform common building materials? Years of trial and error later, they discovered the answer—yes.
Dr. Hu, by 2018, had developed a method of turning regular lumber into a material 12 times stronger and 10 times more durable than natural wood. Instead of limiting the innovation to academia, he assisted in bringing it out into the world by starting InventWood, which has since commercialized the tech.
What Makes Superwood Different
Superwood begins life just like any ordinary piece of lumber—but not for long. With food-grade chemicals, the production process strips much of the lignin and hemicellulose from the wood, leaving behind a densely packed matrix of cellulose fibers. When pressed, these fibers create solid hydrogen bonds, producing a material that is much denser and stronger than raw wood.
As InventWood CEO Alex Lau explains, these cellulose nanocrystals are stronger than carbon fiber. The outcome? A wood material that’s 10 times stronger than steel by weight, and half the weight. Even better, it can be fabricated from a range of wood species, including reclaimed or waste wood, and molded before it hardens completely, meaning it’s perfect for innovative or unexpected architectural designs.
Performance Meets Sustainability
Strength is not the only attribute that Superwood has to offer. It’s fire-resistant (Class A fire rating), pest- and moisture-repellent by nature, and resists rot—features which make it a top contender for wildfire or wet climate use.
Ecologically, Superwood is a giant step in the right direction. Its manufacture releases 90% less carbon than steel, and as it is wood-based, it sequesters carbon, not releasing it into the atmosphere. It is therefore a potent replacement for carbon-emitting materials like steel and concrete, two of the largest emitters in the built environment.
From Lab to Market
InventWood has already moved out of the laboratory and into production at full commercial scale. In its 90,000-square-foot factory in Frederick, Maryland, the company is fabricating Superwood for commercial markets, primarily architectural facades on commercial buildings and high-end homes. It plans to move into structural applications such as beams and columns in the future.
The substance’s promise has not been ignored. Superwood was listed among Fast Company’s 2025 “World Changing Ideas” and has secured more than $50 million in investment. That includes a $20 million SCALEUP grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to speed its development and use. InventWood is also establishing important partnerships to fuel its growth throughout North America.
A Turning Point for Construction
As increasing pressure is being put on the construction sector to minimize its ecological footprint, Superwood provides an attractive way forward. It integrates the strength and durability of industrial materials with the renewability and beauty of natural wood.
By reengineering wood at a microscopic level, InventWood has developed a substance that’s not merely tougher and more durable, but also more environmentally friendly. As Superwood goes into broader application, it might revolutionize the way we design buildings—and how we think about the materials that define our world.
