Empowering Engineers by Unlocking Nature’s Potential
Wood’s inherent rigid cellulose structure provides remarkable compressive and tensile strength. Building on this foundation, Freshape’s pioneering wood modification technology elevates these properties to unprecedented levels. Furthermore, we employ an advanced prepreg process that seamlessly integrates efficiency and sustainability. HiWood fiber paper is meticulously pre-impregnated with thermoplastic or thermoset polymers.
Through controlled heating, the polymers flow uniformly, thoroughly penetrating the wood fibers to ensure complete bonding. Upon cooling, the material solidifies into a high-performance composite, redefining what wood can achieve.
The outcome is transformative.
High-Performance Composite Reinforcement
HiWood reinforced composites boasts a density of just 1.3 g/cm³ and a Young’s modulus reaching 45 GPa. These characteristics enable it to outperform traditional structural materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, and steel, in lightweight applications. Its exceptional strength and stiffness, coupled with durability, flame resistance, and waterproofing capabilities, open up a wide array of industrial possibilities.
Thanks to its inherent properties, the HiWood reinforced composite excels in shock dissipation, which is unique compared to man-made structural materials. It has a loss factor of 4.2 - 4.5 %, much higher than composites (typically <1.5 %) and metals (typically < 0.2 %). For vibration-sensitive applications, such as sports equipment, transportation, electronics and musical instruments, HiWood can effectively increase product life and bring improved comfort to users.
Manufacturing Flexibility and Versatility in Applications
Freshape has redefined material engineering by transforming continuous wood fibers into a thin paper (around 0.1 mm thickness), creating the industry’s first wood fiber paper reinforcement. This innovation delivers unmatched flexibility in design, allowing various composite manufacturing technologies to be used, such as autoclave forming, hand lay-up, and vacuum bagging.
When paired with thermoplastic/thermoset prepreg technology, HiWood supports scalable molding techniques—including compression molding and roll wrapping—streamlining production while lowering costs and expanding creative possibilities.
Additionally, HiWood’s natural composition eliminates workplace hazards such as splinters or harmful particulates, ensuring a safer and greener manufacturing environment. Its adaptability and superior performance make it a versatile solution for industries spanning aerospace, automotive, marine, sports equipment, and consumer electronics, etc.
+ Sports
+ Automotive
+ Electronics
+ Furniture
+ Aircraft
+ Marine
HiWood’s natural origins also imbue it with aesthetic value, offering a distinctive wood grain that enhances the visual appeal of finished products. Moreover, its naturally degradable composition ensures an eco-conscious lifecycle, underscoring Freshape’s commitment to sustainability alongside high-performance innovation.
HiWood represents Freshape’s dedication to unlocking the hidden potential of wood, pushing the boundaries of lightweight material performance, and committing to future sustainability.