For decades, steel and concrete have been the dominant framing materials, prized for their strength and durability. But that dominance comes with a price: high carbon emissions, escalating material costs, heavy weight and supply chain volatility. As climate regulations tighten and clients demand greener solutions, the pressure is on to find viable alternatives.
We’ve seen alternative source materials such as mass timber gain traction as a more sustainable and aesthetic option. With the growing popularity and demand, we’re also seeing more innovation happen, expanding what’s possible with timber.
These new material technologies, born from breakthroughs in research and development, promise the strength of steel at a fraction of the environmental cost.
A standout contender in this space is an engineered wood product, known as Superwood, that has been chemically modified and physically densified to dramatically enhance its structural properties.
Developed by InventWood, a University of Maryland spin-off, Superwood undergoes a proprietary process that removes lignin, the natural glue in wood, and compresses the remaining cellulose structure.
The result is a wood product up to 23 times stronger than its natural form, which approaches, and in some cases exceeds, the tensile strength of steel. It also is hard, smooth, and water-resistant.
Key benefits
This and similar technologies represent a new category of structural wood: strong, sustainable and scalable.
In lab conditions, densified wood products like Superwood have shown tensile strengths comparable to steel. They also exhibit greater impact resistance and surface hardness, opening the door for use in high-performance environments.
When treated, these materials offer impressive fire resistance, moisture resistance, and in some tests, even ballistic resistance. Unlike steel, they don’t rust or corrode, and they can outperform untreated wood in humid or wet conditions.
While the engineering potential is huge, the path to full adoption is still unfolding. Here are a few unanswered questions.
Short-term cost
Currently, densified wood products are more expensive than traditional steel or concrete. This is primarily due to:
Long-term value
That said, engineered wood materials could offer long-term savings in areas such as:
As production scales and methods improve, prices are expected to decline significantly, making these materials even more competitive.
Superwood is approaching commercialization, with pilot projects and industry partnerships underway. InventWood is targeting the construction, defense, and transportation sectors, showing the material’s broad appeal.
However, all of these technologies are still pre-standardized, meaning architects and developers must work creatively within code frameworks or pursue special approvals. Still, the level of interest from R&D, sustainability advocates and early adopters is growing rapidly.
Though not yet ready to replace all steel applications, these materials are poised to make a significant impact in certain sectors of commercial construction:
One of the most promising opportunities is in hybrid mass timber buildings. Mass timber provides scale and structure, while engineered wood like Superwood adds performance and precision. They can work together as:
This layered approach could redefine timber construction as we know it.
At a time when carbon-conscious design is becoming the norm, densified wood products offer compelling advantages:
To bring these innovations into widespread use, the industry must tackle several challenges:
There’s also an opportunity for visionary firms and institutions to lead pilot projects that push these materials forward.
Timber tech is no longer just a niche idea. It’s a glimpse into the future of commercial construction. Engineered wood materials combine strength, sustainability and scalability, offering a viable alternative to traditional materials in many contexts.
While there are still questions to answer and hurdles to overcome, the promise is too great to ignore. As innovation continues, architects, developers and contractors have the chance to build smarter, cleaner and better.