Superwood, a material developed by scientists at the University of Maryland, has greater tensile strength than steel with a tenth of the strength-to-weight ratio made the list. Mass production of Superwood will begin in Frederick, Maryland in 2026, with initial sales expected in interior finishes and exterior-grade panels for siding and roofing.
The second biobased material on the list was Carbon Smart Wood, the first cross-laminated timber made from fallen trees. The company behind Carbon Smart Wood – Washington, D.C.-based startup Carbon Cambium – has salvaged six million board feet of wood from fallen trees, which it turned into usable timber for furniture with companies like Room & Board and Sabai. The company offers millwork like decking and flooring, and full CLT structural panels for buildings. Forty thousand linear feet of the material will appear on the facade of the new JFK Airport expansion in 2026.