The Kingdom of Tonga and InventWood, a company transforming undervalued wood into high-performance building materials, have announced a landmark partnership to promote sustainable and resilient construction across the Pacific. This collaboration marks InventWood’s first international partnership, positioning Tonga as a global leader in implementing the innovative SuperWood technology.
InventWood’s SuperWood is a revolutionary material, stronger and lighter than steel, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, high humidity, and pest challenges common in tropical environments. It boasts exceptional climate resilience, resisting termites, fungus, fire, and increasing storms, making it an ideal solution for the Pacific Islands. SuperWood also has the added benefit of sequestering carbon, further contributing to a sustainable future.
The partnership, initiated by the Island Resilience Partnership and Rose Tree Group, will commence in Spring 2025. As Tonga chairs the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for 2024-25, this collaboration is expected to serve as a model for other nations within the PIF and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), fostering resilient infrastructure across the region.
“While every application of SuperWood will be uniquely meaningful, it is extreme environments like those in Tonga and the greater Pacific that underscore how life-changing this innovation is,” said InventWood CEO, Tyler Huggins. “We’re eager to provide the unmatched climate resilience of SuperWood and are thrilled to partner with a visionary like Prime Minister Sovaleni, putting a stake in the ground for Tongan generations to come.”
The first projects under this alliance will focus on building schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure in Tonga. This will establish a precedent for sustainable construction, demonstrating the transformative potential of SuperWood in tackling the challenges faced by Pacific Island nations.
“Tonga faces extreme weather events, and environmental protection and disaster preparedness are of paramount importance,” said Tonga Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni. “This partnership with InventWood not only delivers a near-impenetrable building solution for our country but also revitalizes our local economy and paves the way for other Pacific nations to benefit from climate-resilient innovation.”
InventWood’s advanced, automated manufacturing processes will enable large-scale production of SuperWood by early 2025, with its pilot facility located in Frederick, Maryland. This partnership with Tonga represents a significant step towards building a more sustainable and resilient future for the Pacific region, showcasing the power of innovation to address global challenges.
