Thu, 31 Jul 2025

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 Do you feel lucky plank? Meet the new 'bulletproof' wood

New ways are being found to make wood even stronger and more versatile in construction.
InventWood, a US-based company, claims to have developed a modified wood product called Superwood that's stronger than steel and can withstand bullets. In lab tests, a gas gun fired at thin pieces of natural wood, but failed to penetrate the heavily modified version. The company suggests Superwood could be used in military applications or as a durable external cladding for buildings. The development comes as the construction industry is increasingly pushing wood to new limits in an effort to decarbonize building materials. Engineered wood products, such as glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT), are being used more widely due to their strength and moisture-resistance. InventWood's Superwood process involves treating timber with chemicals to remove lignin and then compressing it extremely firmly, creating additional hydrogen bonds that significantly strengthen the material. The company claims this process can be completed in hours, compared to weeks previously. Superwood is not designed to compete with existing engineered wood products, but rather provide a durable finishing layer or external cladding. Experts say it's a promising technology, but more data is needed to assess its performance in harsh environments. Other companies are working on different engineered wood products, such as Pollmeier's BauBuche and 3RT's thin veneer sheets. The use of these products is increasing architects' and designers' options for incorporating wood into buildings. However, experts note that there are still barriers to the widespread adoption of wood in construction, including questions around insurance and mortgage rates for wood-based buildings. Additionally, some argue that wood may not be suitable for certain applications, such as foundations, which require concrete. Despite these challenges, researchers highlight the importance of recycling old timber amidst the rise of highly engineered wood products. The industry is also seeing innovation in new materials, including modified woods and artificial intelligence-powered construction methods.
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