A table that grows directly in a test tube, without cutting down a single tree? It is the result of years of research in the laboratories of MIT, dove the team di Ashley Beckwith is perfecting the production of cultivated wood: black poplar cells that, nourished with a cocktail of plant hormones, develop into woody structures identical to natural ones.
How the wood of the future is born
The process developed by Foray Bioscience is based on advanced biofabrication principles. It all starts with the extraction of living cells from the leaves of black people, a species chosen for its excellent properties in the production of fibers. These cells are immersed in a nutrient solution and then transferred to a gel enriched with specific plant hormones.
Biofabrication of cultivated wood becomes a key factor for sustainable development and the fight against climate change
The result is surprising: The cells develop into woody structures that can be used to make a wide range of products, from furniture to beams, to components for the cosmetics and perfume industries.
Cultivated Wood: Environmental Benefits and Production Efficiency
The real strength of this technology lies in its efficiency. Cells in the laboratory grow up to 100 times faster than natural trees, without requiring agricultural land. This means not only protecting existing forests, but also preserving biodiversity without compromising timber production.
The process also eliminates numerous traditional, energy-intensive manufacturing steps, such as cutting and shaping. Beckwith and his team have demonstrated the possibility of directly “growing” objects in the desired shape, drastically reducing waste and resource consumption.
Challenges for large-scale deployment
Despite its obvious benefits, this technology is still in its development stage. Researchers at Foray are working to optimize the process and reduce costs. Currently, the production of synthetic wood requires significant time and resources, which limits its application on an industrial scale.
About 2,3 billion people use wood as an energy source. The implementation of this technology could therefore have a significant impact on forest conservation and the reduction of CO2 emissions linked to deforestation.
The complete study, published in Journal of Cleaning Production (I link it here), highlights how this innovation could represent a turning point for the forestry sector and environmental sustainability.
Cultivated wood, what does the future say?
The vision of Foray Bioscience goes beyond just producing wood. The company is exploring the possibility of customizing the properties of cultivated wood, creating materials tailored to specific applications. This could open up new frontiers in sustainable design and architecture.
The technology It could also help reduce pressure on tropical forests, the main source of precious woods. With cultivated wood, it would be possible to replicate the characteristics of rare species without putting natural ecosystems at risk.
The innovation of Beckwith and his team is a significant step toward a more sustainable future in the wood industry. If successfully developed on an industrial scale, this technology could radically transform the way we produce and use one of humanity’s oldest and most versatile materials.