Reengineering wood to challenge steel and concrete - By restructuring cellulose fibers, engineers have created SUPERWOOD, a fire-resistant, carbon-negative material now scaling for industrial use: Superwood, developed at the University of Maryland and InventWood, is made by chemically removing lignin and then hot-compressing lumber. The process produces a material with 50% greater strength than steel and an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio. Tests show Superwood surpasses steel in tensile strength, achieves Class A fire resistance, and resists moisture and pests. Its key advantages include high tensile/flexural strength, lightweight construction, and durability potential—though long-term performance is still under evaluation.  The Maryland-based startup [InventWood](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1UEAD_enCA1111CA1111&cs=1&sca_esv=7fc613d9cd9ef286&q=InventWood&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi96MTWrrqPAxWsj4kEHaJKGEsQxccNegQIBBAB&mstk=AUtExfAUmjs_h1yhEH_OjzPNB8epTQVYltaMkdJF_W0O7zYbQnRPOmccdtxh2CV_KUCJGnRkDwauvwuP-rVEE2oxStxRZRCCE9_ZCwBlA4kp7NEviNw9RTuWFID7YsYcndFdKa-ErsQNwxOLmBThS97oerhDSKd1gdpU93qQCdxv61-1unY&csui=3) is now scaling production for commercial use to offer a greener and stronger building material: [https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/inventwoods-superwood-named-2025-world-changing-ideas-list](https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/inventwoods-superwood-named-2025-world-changing-ideas-list)

Applications and Commercialization: [https://youtu.be/n4-v3ntYZAs?si=RwzdKDlu8V3UMLuM](https://youtu.be/n4-v3ntYZAs?si=RwzdKDlu8V3UMLuM)

* **Construction:** Superwood can replace steel and concrete in buildings, reducing their environmental impact. 
* **Transportation:** Its lightweight and strong properties make it suitable for vehicles. 
* **Other Industries:** Applications may extend to furniture, armor plating, and other areas. 
* **Commercialization:** InventWood is scaling up production to make Superwood commercially available for various industries. 

Superwood: Is This Innovative Lumber the Future of Construction?