Revolutionary “Superwood” Poised โto Disrupt Construction Industry, Offering Steel-Like Strength with a Sustainableโข Footprint
Frederick, maryland – A newโฃ wood-basedโค material, dubbed โ”Superwood,” isโข entering commercial production, promising to redefineโ building standards with it’s unprecedented strength, lightweight properties, and substantially reduced carbon footprint compared to steel. developed by InventWood after over 140 patents and years of research,Superwood โคutilizes a novel chemical treatment โand high heat pressure โprocess to strengthen โขcellulose and alter the cellular โstructure of wood.
The breakthrough, first โrealized in 2017, results in a material that boasts a strength-to-weight ratio exceeding most structural metals and alloys, according to a study published in the journal Nature. InventWoodโ CEO Alex Lau โคdescribes Superwood as a material that “behaves like wood, but โฃis much stronger and lighter,” capable of reducing building weight by up toโค four times and increasing earthquake resistance.
Currently focused on outdoor applications like decks and exterior siding, InventWood plansโค to expand Superwood’s use to building โinteriors – including wall panels, floors, and furniture – in the coming year.โค โThe material’s exceptional durability also allows it to potentially replace customary metal fasteners like screws, nails,โฃ and joints. Reports indicateโ superwood is 20 times stronger than ordinary wood, 10 times more impact-resistant, and impervious to mold and insects, while also demonstratingโ strong fire โขresistance.
While the production process carries a larger โcarbon footprint than traditional wood processing, InventWood emphasizes that emissions are 90% lower than thoseโ associated with steel production. the companyโข aimsโ to position Superwood as a direct competitor to steel, rather than simply โa โlower-cost wood alternative.
Unlike โconventional engineered woods that rely on adhesives, Superwood’s modification occurs at โขthe molecular level, enhancing its strength and versatility. The process is applicable to 19 different types โคof wood and bamboo.
The emergence of Superwood coincides with a growing global โฃtrend towards wood-based construction,exemplified by theโ increasing numberโ ofโฃ wooden skyscrapers being built worldwide,such as those in Milwaukee.
“Superwood โคcan enable architects to design wider structural spans and more durable wooden surfaces,” notes โขProfessor Philip Oldfield of the University of New South โคWales. However, he cautions โthat wider adoption will require industry education, pilot projects, and supportive regulations.
If Superwood lives up to its potential, it could usher in a new era of โฃsustainableโฃ architecture, โขpotentially challenging steel’s dominance as the primary structural material in construction.
Source: Times of India
