Genetically modified ‘superwood’ absorbs more carbon and reduces emissions

Scientists have developed a new method to produce “superwood” that stores more carbon and reduces emissionsthanks to an innovative genetic modification.

Modified wood could also offer a more sustainable, durable and economical alternative to traditional building materials.

Researchers from University of Maryland genetically modified poplars to reduce their lignin content by 12.8%. Lignin is a key component that makes wood durable, but complicates its processing.

By reducing lignin, wood can be used directly for high-strength applications without chemical treatment. This not only simplifies the production process, but increases the wood’s ability to store carbon, researchers said in a study published in the journal Wood. Matter on Monday.

“Our method not only reduces chemical waste and energy consumption, but also improves the carbon storage capacity of wood, which is crucial to mitigating climate change,” said Professor Yiping Qi, one of the researchers.

Genetically modified wood resists rotting better, allowing it to store carbon for longer. This means that less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, contributing to a reduction in global carbon emissions.

Traditional wood, often processed with chemicals, tends to deteriorate quickly.

In addition to the benefits of carbon storage, the new method reduces emissions associated with wood processing, researchers said.

Traditional wood requires significant energy and chemical inputs, which results in greenhouse gas emissions and chemical waste. The new approach eliminates these processes, making high-performance wood production more environmentally friendly.

The researchers tested their genetically modified poplars alongside unmodified ones in a greenhouse for six months and found no significant differences in growth or health. They then produced samples of compressed wood from modified trees that are used in furniture and construction.

This compressed wood performed as well as chemically treated wood, being 1.5 times stronger than untreated wood and as strong as 6061 aluminum alloy, a material commonly used in a variety of engineering and construction applications.

Poplar trees, known for their rapid growth and widely used in the wood and paper industries, have been genetically modified by other researchers in the past.

In 2023, Living Carbon, a San Francisco-based biotechnology company, planted the first batch of genetically modified poplar trees in the United States outside of a research trial or commercial orchard.