Superwood: Scientists Create New Wood 10x Stronger Than Steel And 6x Lighter

Last Updated:October 15, 2025, 11:10 IST

American scientists unveil ‘Superwood’ — 10x stronger and 6x lighter than steel. Could this eco-friendly material change the future of construction?

Superwood is 20 times stronger than regular wood, 10 times more resistant to dents, and produces 90% fewer carbon emissions. (News18)

US scientists have developed an extraordinary material stronger than steel, known as ‘Superwood’. Created by the US-based company InventWood, this material is claimed to be 10 times stronger and six times lighter than conventional steel.

Unlike metal or synthetic alloys, Superwood is crafted from genuine wood that has been chemically reinforced and re-engineered.

Who Created Superwood?

The breakthrough comes courtesy of Professor Liangbing Hu from Yale University, who embarked on a decade-long mission to transform humanity’s oldest building material — wood.

Focusing on the cellulose structure of wood, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth and the main component of plants, Professor Hu achieved a significant breakthrough in 2017. Through a chemical process, he altered the wood’s structure to become exceptionally dense and strong.

How Is Superwood Made?

The manufacturing process involves boiling the wood in water and chemicals, followed by hot pressing, which shrinks the cells and transforms the wood into a solid, compact form.

After a week-long procedure, Superwood emerges, lightweight yet stronger than many metals.

How Superwood May Revolutionise Construction

This innovation promises to revolutionise homes, buildings, and furniture. InventWood has now commenced commercial production of this technology.

According to the company’s CEO, Alex Lau, Superwood looks identical to traditional wood but boasts far superior strength and density. Lau explains, “Buildings constructed from Superwood will be four times lighter, reducing stress on foundations and enhancing earthquake resistance."

Initial Applications And Future Potential

The company plans to initially use Superwood for decking, cladding, and external components, with applications expanding to flooring, wall panelling, and furniture from next year.

CEO Lau adds, “People often complain about furniture breaking easily because conventional wood isn’t strong enough. With Superwood, we can even eliminate metal joints, screws, and nails."

Environmental And Safety Benefits

Superwood is twenty times stronger than regular wood, ten times more resistant to dents, and produces 90% fewer carbon emissions. InventWood asserts that Superwood’s highly compressed porous structure makes it resistant to mould, insects, and fire. In fire safety tests, it achieved the highest rating.

Though production costs and its carbon footprint are higher than those of regular wood, Superwood’s carbon emissions are 90% lower than those of steel. Lau states, “Our aim isn’t to produce cheaper wood, but to offer an affordable and superior alternative to steel."

Timber Rivalling Steel

While engineered wood is already widely used, Superwood represents a distinct advancement. Traditional engineered wood is created by gluing together pieces of timber, whereas Superwood undergoes molecular-level alteration. This not only enhances its strength but also minimises environmental impact.

Currently, concrete production accounts for 7% of global carbon emissions. Innovations like Superwood could spearhead a green construction revolution in the decades ahead.

Global Impact And Future Ambitions

Australian architecture professor Philip Oldfield comments, “Wood is a natural carbon storage system. Building with wood locks carbon away for decades."

InventWood’s future ambition is to construct entire buildings from Superwood, with further testing underway.

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