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Maryland-based startup InventWood is set to mass-produce the first batches of Superwood Facade, a new material made of modified timber that reportedly has up to 50% greater tensile strength than steel, pest and rot resistant, has minimal expansion and contraction, and boasts a Class A fire rating.
According to InventWood, the launch of its 90,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Frederick, MD., is poised to drive the product’s next phase of growth this summer.
Superwood offers strength superior to steel, providing the performance required for the most challenging building conditions. Its lightweight nature makes it easier to handle and transport, and reducing costs and construction challenges. On a performance basis, making Superwood generates 90% lower carbon emissions than steel, plus it locks carbon away for long term storage. Superwood can be made from underutilized, or even waste wood.
University of Maryland materials scientist Liangbing Hu first developed Superwood in 2018 using a “densification process.” Since then, he has refined the method to allow for large-scale production in just hours—rather than weeks—and has since licensed the technology.
Superwood’s impressive strength comes from a two-step process engineered by Hu’s team. First, wood samples are boiled in a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose. Next, the material is hot-pressed, collapsing the cell walls and aligning cellulose nanofibers to create a fully densified structure significantly stronger than natural wood.
The process can be applied to a wide range of wood species and is scalable for mass production. Early in the process, the wood remains pliable, allowing it to be bent and formed into specific shapes before it hardens into its final ultra-strong form.
For more information about Superwood Facade and soon-to-come Superwood Beams, visit www.inventwood.com.
