KICK STARTING SUPER WOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

KICK STARTING SUPER WOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

As a tropical country, the Philippines is blessed with a wide variety of hardwood species—narra, molave, kamagong, yakal, tanguile, and more. These are highly prized not only for their strength but also for their beauty. Yet imagine this: what if we could produce a type of wood even harder than hardwood? A “super wood” that is so strong it could rival steel—or even titanium—in terms of strength-to-weight ratio?

That’s no longer just science fiction. Canadian and American researchers have developed exactly that: engineered wood that’s stronger than steel, fire-resistant, pest-proof, and moisture-resistant. Unlike steel or concrete, this “super wood” is renewable, carbon-negative, and requires far less energy to produce. In tests, it has even outperformed titanium in certain applications.

Can you imagine what this could mean for the Philippine economy if we entered the field early? What kind of industries could emerge? From construction beams and cladding to aircraft interiors and car frames, the possibilities are enormous. And if we combined this with our world-class furniture design industry, our exports could skyrocket.

Now here’s the more intriguing question: what if this technology could also harden softwoods? Species like gmelina and falcata, which mature much faster than traditional hardwoods, could be densified to produce material as tough as molave. Suddenly, our fast-growing species, often undervalued, could become strategic assets. This would reduce logging pressure on slow-growing native hardwoods while creating new livelihood opportunities for agroforestry cooperatives.

And let us not forget bamboo. Bamboo already has tensile strength comparable to steel. What more could it become if treated with densification technology? We could be looking at super bamboo—lighter, stronger, and longer-lasting—perfect for resilient housing in typhoon-prone areas like ours.

So, what should we do?

First, let’s put this on the agenda of our economic diplomacy. Two Western countries—Canada and the U.S.—are already advancing super wood technology. Both are friendly to us. Why not pursue technology transfer agreements under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)? Canada, for example, is piloting production in British Columbia. We should be talking to them now.

Second, let’s not rely solely on imports. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), should spearhead our own research. This will require funding, yes, but the potential payback—in reduced steel imports, new export industries, and disaster-resilient housing—is huge.

Third, this research must be aligned with our reforestation programs. Planting fast-growing species like falcata and bamboo could serve both ecological and industrial goals. Instead of merely restoring forests, we could be building future resource banks for high-value super wood.

Finally, furniture export development should be integrated. The Philippines is already known for high-quality craftsmanship. Imagine furniture that not only looks beautiful but is lighter, stronger, and longer-lasting than anything on the market. Why should IKEA or Japan dominate this space when we could?

Of course, this requires strong inter-agency collaboration. The Department of Agriculture (DA) must coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for sustainable forestry practices. DOST and UPLB must lead the science. DFA and DTI must lead the diplomacy. Without coordination, this opportunity could easily slip away.

The truth is, we’ve long been behind when it comes to green industrial materials. We import most of our steel, we over-rely on cement, and we often neglect our own natural resources. Super wood could be the game-changer that allows us to build stronger, greener, and cheaper.

So, here’s my question: will we wait until other countries dominate the technology and simply become buyers again? Or will we finally seize the chance to lead, at least in Asia, in super wood research and development?

If Canada and the U.S. can do it, so can we. But only if we start now.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

12-23-2025

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