The construction industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation with the unveiling of "Superwood," a revolutionary engineered timber developed by US-based biotech startup InventWood. This groundbreaking material, announced on May 13, not only retains the natural warmth, texture, and aesthetic appeal of wood but also boasts exceptional strength and durability, outperforming even high-grade steel in key metrics.

InventWood, headquartered in Maryland, has achieved this feat through a molecular-level transformation process that enhances natural wood, making the resulting "Superwood" up to a dozen times stronger and ten times tougher than its original form. The company recently secured $15 million in Series A funding, paving the way for commercial shipments from their Frederick production facility, slated to commence between July and September 2025.

The innovative technology behind "Superwood" stems from research led by Dr. Liangbing Hu, a distinguished materials scientist and professor at the University of Maryland. Dr. Hu and his team developed a process that selectively removes specific components of the wood's cellular structure and compresses it under precise conditions. This unique approach results in a biogenic composite that preserves the desirable characteristics of wood while significantly enhancing its performance capabilities.

According to InventWood, the material exhibits a strength-to-weight ratio nearly ten times greater than that of steel. Furthermore, "Superwood" is engineered to resist fire, water, rot, pests, humidity, and extreme weather conditions, addressing many of the traditional limitations of natural wood in construction.

Alex Lau, CEO of InventWood, expressed his enthusiasm for the new material, stating, "Superwood demonstrates what’s possible when we combine nature’s most highly evolved structure with revolutionary science." He added that the recent funding will be crucial in scaling up the production of this game-changing material.

The potential impact of "Superwood" has garnered significant attention, with prominent figures like American environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken hailing it as "an extraordinary breakthrough that exalts the genius of the natural world." Hawken envisions "Superwood" playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the construction industry globally.

InventWood's total raised capital now exceeds $50 million, with substantial contributions from both public and private entities, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, Grantham Foundation, Builders Vision, JLL Foundation, and Baruch Future Ventures. This financial backing will support the establishment of their first commercial-scale manufacturing operation, focused on producing "Superwood" for a wide range of residential and commercial applications.