FREDERICK, Md. and NUKU-ALOFA, Tonga — The Kingdom of Tonga and InventWood, a supplier of "climate-resilient building materials with the strength and durability to replace steel and concrete," entered into a partnership that aims to promote sustainable and resilient construction throughout the harsh environments of the Pacific. Tonga is an island nation situated in the South Pacific Ocean.

Wood's MettleWood product, which the company said is stronger and lighter than steel, can sequester carbon while resisting climate-related challenges like termites, increasing storms, fungus and fire, making it an ideal solution for Tonga and the Pacific Island nations.

The partnership, initiated by the Island Resilience Partnership, will commence in Spring 2025. As Tonga chairs the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for 2024-25, this collaboration is expected to catalyze opportunities for other nationals within the PIF and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), supporting 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 include schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure in Tonga, setting a precedent for sustainable construction.

"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."

SuperWood, engineered to withstand severe weather, high humidity and pest challenges, offers a superior, sustainable alternative to traditional materials that fail in tropical environments, making it an ideal building solution for nations located near the equator. InventWood's advanced, automated manufacturing processes will enable large-scale production of SuperWood by early 2025, with its pilot facility in Frederick, Maryland.