Exclusive: InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that’s stronger than steel | TechCrunch
Exclusive: InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that’s stronger than steel | TechCrunch
Exclusive: InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that’s stronger than steel | TechCrunch
InventWood's Superwood represents a breakthrough material that transforms ordinary wood into a substance stronger than steel through molecular restructuring and densification[1]. The company is launching a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland in Q3 2025 to begin commercial production[7].
Key features of Superwood:
- 50% more tensile strength than steel with 10x better strength-to-weight ratio[^9]
- Fire-resistant, rot-resistant, and pest-resistant while maintaining wood's natural appearance[^7]
- Created through a two-step process involving chemical treatment and hot-pressing[^8]
- Can be produced in hours rather than weeks using "food industry" chemicals[^9]
Environmental Impact:
- Could replace up to 80% of global steel and concrete use[^5]
- Potential to reduce carbon emissions by 37.2 gigatons over 30 years[^5]
- Trees act as carbon stores: steel produces 1.85 kg CO2 per kilogram, while wood removes 1.8 kg CO2[^5]
Business Development:
- Secured $15 million in Series A funding in 2025[^7]
- Total capital raised exceeds $50 million[^7]
- Formed partnership with Intectural for North American distribution[^7]
- Initial products will focus on building facades before expanding to structural applications[^9]
[1]: [InventWood — Technology](https://www.inventwood.com/technology) [5]: InventWood aims to 'replace steel and concrete' [7]: [InventWood Announces $15 Million First Close of Series A](https://renewable-carbon.eu/news/inventwood-announces-15-million-first-close-of-series-a-to-launch-revolutionary-superwood-material/) [8]: New Atlas - 'Superwood' that's 50% stronger than steel is coming this year [^9]: TechCrunch - InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel
I wonder if this is the same process that nilered did a video on?
Basically they soak it in sodium hydroxide(?) to dissolve the
celluloselignin, then hot press it so the remaininglignincellulose forms a stronger, physical bond with the layers above and below. Kind of like a handshake. The remaining wood was low level bullet proof, like it could just barely stop a 9mil.*got it backwards
Yes, it's more or less the procedure, surprisingly simple, as many times in research where we don't see what we have in front of the noses, an super material, sostainable, easy and cheap to produce with few energy and above reduce CO2 instead of producing it. Result an material stronger than steel and even less weight than aluminium, In the near future cars and planes made of wood.