Sustainable Wood Products and Biomaterials

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Sustainable wood products and biomaterials are materials derived from sustainably managed forests or other renewable biomass sources. These materials offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials and plastics, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.

Impact on climate action

Sustainable Wood Products and Biomaterials in Sustainable Forestry bolster climate action by promoting carbon sequestration and reducing emissions. By sourcing from responsibly managed forests and utilizing wood as a renewable resource, these innovations mitigate deforestation, enhance carbon storage, and foster a sustainable, low-carbon economy, combating climate change.

Underlying
Technology

  • Sustainable Forestry: Sustainable wood products are sourced from forests that are managed according to principles of sustainable forestry, ensuring the long-term health and productivity of forests.
  • Wood Processing and Engineering: Advanced wood processing and engineering techniques are used to create a wide range of wood products with enhanced properties, such as engineered wood products (EWPs) like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam.
  • Biomaterials: Biomaterials are materials derived from renewable biomass sources, such as plants, algae, and fungi. They can be used to create a variety of products, including bioplastics, biocomposites, and bio-based chemicals.
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): LCA is used to assess the environmental impacts of wood products and biomaterials throughout their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.

TRL : 7-8


Prominent Innovation themes

  • Engineered Wood Products (EWPs): EWPs, such as CLT and glulam, offer high strength, durability, and fire resistance, making them suitable for use in large-scale construction projects.
  • Modified Wood: Wood modification techniques, such as thermal modification and acetylation, can enhance the durability and stability of wood, expanding its applications and reducing the need for chemical treatments.
  • Bio-Based Plastics and Composites: Researchers and companies are developing bio-based plastics and composites that can replace traditional petroleum-based plastics, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting biodegradability.
  • Nanocellulose: Nanocellulose is a nanomaterial derived from wood fibers that has exceptional strength and stiffness. It is being explored for use in various applications, including composites, packaging, and medical devices.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Advanced Wood Processing Techniques
  • Enhanced Durability through Wood Modification
  • Bio-Based Plastics Revolution
  • Nanocellulose Applications
  • Mycelium-Based Biomaterials
  • Sustainable Forestry Practices
  • Life Cycle Assessment Advancements
  • Commercialization of Engineered Wood Products
  • Renewable PET Production from Wood Residues
  • Eco-Friendly Furniture Design
  • Sustainable Building Construction Materials
  • Biomaterials for Interior Design
  • Wood-Based Bio-Composites
  • Forest Management Technologies
  • Circular Economy in Wood Products
  • Green Chemistry in Wood Processing
  • Sustainable Biomaterials Engineering
  • Wood Fiber Reinforced Plastics
  • Renewable Resources in Construction

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. Kebony:
    • Technology Enhancement: Kebony specializes in the production of sustainable wood products through a patented bio-based wood modification process. Their technology involves impregnating sustainably sourced softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. This process enhances the wood’s properties, making it durable, dimensionally stable, and resistant to decay.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Kebony stands out for its innovative approach to sustainable wood treatment, which enhances the performance and longevity of wood without relying on toxic chemicals. Their products offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional treated wood, providing architects, builders, and homeowners with durable and aesthetically pleasing wood materials.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Kebony serves the construction, decking, cladding, and outdoor furniture industries, offering sustainable wood solutions for various applications. Their products are used in residential and commercial projects seeking high-quality and eco-friendly wood materials with superior performance and durability.
  2. Origin Materials:
    • Technology Enhancement: Origin Materials focuses on the development of renewable and sustainable biomaterials derived from agricultural residues, such as corn stover and wood waste. Their technology involves converting biomass feedstocks into bio-based chemicals through a novel biorefining process. These chemicals can be used to produce a wide range of sustainable materials, including plastics, fibers, and coatings.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Origin Materials stands out for its commitment to advancing the bioeconomy through the production of renewable biomaterials at scale. Their technology enables the conversion of low-cost biomass feedstocks into high-value bio-based chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and petrochemicals in various industries.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Origin Materials serves manufacturers and brand owners seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional materials derived from fossil fuels. Their bio-based chemicals can be used in the production of packaging, textiles, automotive components, and consumer goods, helping companies reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact.
  3. Ecovative Design:
    • Technology Enhancement: Ecovative Design specializes in the development of mycelium-based biomaterials as alternatives to conventional plastics and foams. Their technology involves growing mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, on agricultural waste substrates. The resulting biomaterials are lightweight, biodegradable, and customizable, making them suitable for various applications.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Ecovative Design stands out for its innovative use of mycelium as a sustainable and versatile biomaterial. Their products, such as mycelium foam packaging and mycelium-based composites, offer a renewable and compostable alternative to traditional petroleum-based materials, reducing plastic pollution and environmental harm.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Ecovative Design serves industries seeking sustainable packaging solutions, insulation materials, and biomaterials for consumer products. Their mycelium-based products are used by companies in the packaging, construction, furniture, and consumer goods sectors, offering biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. Oregon State University:
    • Research Focus: Oregon State University is renowned for its research on Sustainable Wood Products and Biomaterials, focusing on developing innovative technologies and processes for sustainable forestry management, wood utilization, and biomaterial production.
    • Uniqueness: Their research spans the entire value chain of wood products, from forest management practices and timber harvesting techniques to engineered wood products and biocomposite materials. They explore advanced manufacturing methods, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam, and wood-plastic composites, to enhance the structural performance, durability, and environmental sustainability of wood-based materials.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in sustainable construction, green building materials, furniture manufacturing, and renewable packaging. By promoting the use of sustainably sourced wood products and biomaterials, Oregon State University’s research contributes to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and rural economic development in forest-dependent communities.
  2. University of British Columbia (UBC):
    • Research Focus: UBC conducts groundbreaking research on Sustainable Wood Products and Biomaterials, leveraging its expertise in forestry science, wood engineering, and biotechnology to develop novel materials and processes for enhancing the value and environmental performance of forest resources.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the development of next-generation wood products, such as mass timber panels, nanocellulose composites, and bio-based chemicals, using advanced processing techniques and sustainable forestry practices. They also explore the integration of biorefinery concepts, circular economy principles, and life cycle assessment tools to optimize resource utilization and minimize waste generation in the forest products industry.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in sustainable architecture, urban design, renewable energy, and biomedicine. By pioneering the development of sustainable wood products and biomaterials, UBC’s research supports the transition to a bio-based economy, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and promotes the conservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
  3. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU):
    • Research Focus: SLU is at the forefront of research on Sustainable Wood Products and Biomaterials, leveraging its expertise in forestry management, wood science, and environmental engineering to address key challenges related to forest sustainability, climate change mitigation, and bioresource utilization.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses a holistic approach to sustainable forestry, encompassing ecological, economic, and social dimensions of forest management. They investigate innovative techniques for wood modification, preservation, and recycling, as well as the development of bio-based polymers, adhesives, and coatings derived from renewable biomass sources.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in sustainable forestry management, green chemistry, biorefinery operations, and ecosystem restoration. By advancing the science and technology of sustainable wood products and biomaterials, SLU’s research contributes to the conservation of forest ecosystems, climate change mitigation, and the transition to a circular bioeconomy.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Sustainable wood products and biomaterials are commercially available and are being increasingly used in various applications, including:

  • Building Construction: EWPs, such as CLT and glulam, are being used in large-scale construction projects, offering a sustainable and high-performance alternative to steel and concrete.
  • Furniture and Interior Design: Sustainable wood products are used in furniture, flooring, and other interior design applications, providing a natural and eco-friendly aesthetic.
  • Packaging: Bio-based plastics and other biomaterials are being used to create sustainable packaging solutions, reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics and promoting biodegradability.


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