New 3D Printed Wood Heralded as Greener Alternative to Traditional Manufacturing

When we think of furniture or homes, it is undeniable that the material that comes first to mind is wood. However, the creation of objects with wood has been controversial due to wasteful practices that contribute to air, water and land pollution. But there may be a solution. Researchers from Rice University have announced that they have developed a new process to create 3D printed wood for sustainable structures, creating a greener alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.

But how wasteful are our current practices? Well, a report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that in 2018, landfills received 12.2 million tons of wood, with the number increasing every year. Adding to that the fact that deforestation is one of the major environmental concerns in our times, as it is occurring at a rate of about 10 million hectares per year and causes not only a loss of biodiversity but a loss of a significant source of carbon absorption, it is no surprise that more sustainable alternatives are being developed.

Muhammad Rhaman (center) and his lab spearheaded this 3D printed wood project

Muhammad Rahman, an assistant research professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice explains, “The ability to create a wood structure directly from its own natural components sets the stage for a more eco-friendly and innovative future. It heralds a new era of sustainable 3D-printed wood construction.”