InventWood, a Maryland-based company, is pioneering a revolutionary building material called SUPERWOOD that promises to transform the construction industry by combining exceptional strength with sustainability. Patented in 2018 by Dr. Liangbing Hu, SUPERWOOD is produced by removing certain components of wood’s cellular structure and compressing it, resulting in a material that is up to 12 times stronger and 10 times tougher than the original wood.
Initially, InventWood is marketing SUPERWOOD primarily for facade applications such as siding, but the company envisions broader uses including decking, roofing, and structural beams. The potential to replace traditional steel and concrete beams with SUPERWOOD could have a significant environmental impact by reducing reliance on carbon-intensive materials. Despite its enhanced strength and durability, SUPERWOOD retains the natural warmth, texture, and workability of wood, making it appealing to builders and homeowners who value wood’s aesthetic qualities.
SUPERWOOD could potentially be valuable to the lighting industry, at a time when sustainability, circularity, material transparency, and EPDs are increasingly required by more specifiers.
SUPERWOOD is engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions, high humidity, fire, rot, and pests. These features make it particularly attractive in the context of climate-resilient construction, where durability and sustainability are increasingly prioritized. The material’s resilience and eco-friendly profile align with growing demand for building products that support long-term environmental goals.
InventWood recently secured $15 million in the first close of its Series A funding round, bringing total capital raised to over $50 million. This funding has supported the construction of the company’s first commercial manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland. InventWood plans to begin commercial shipments from this facility in the third quarter of 2025.
CEO Alex Lau emphasized that SUPERWOOD represents a breakthrough by combining nature’s evolved wood structure with advanced scientific processing. He highlighted that the material is not only stronger and lighter than steel but also retains the biogenic qualities that have made wood a favored building material for millennia.
A notable aspect of InventWood’s strategy is its focus on domestic sourcing and production. In an era of increasing concern over reliance on imported materials like steel and aluminum, InventWood’s Frederick facility will utilize a U.S.-focused supply chain, including American timber and local processing. This approach aims to ensure high-quality standards while supporting American manufacturing jobs and reducing supply chain risks.
Lau stressed the company’s commitment to maintaining uncompromising quality throughout the entire process-from forest to final product-while fostering domestic industry.
InventWood has formed a strategic partnership with Intectural, a distributor of architectural materials, to facilitate the initial commercial shipments targeting both commercial and residential markets. The company’s launch and growth have been supported by several notable organizations, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, Grantham, Builders Vision, the JLL Foundation, and Baruch Future Ventures.
InventWood’s SUPERWOOD is a promising innovation in sustainable building materials, combining the natural benefits of wood with enhanced strength and durability. With strong financial backing, a domestic production focus, and strategic partnerships, InventWood is preparing to scale its production and impact on the construction industry, by providing a climate-resilient, eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials like steel and concrete. The company’s upcoming commercial shipments mark a significant milestone in reshaping how buildings are constructed.
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