WU+D Institute

The Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) is a multidisciplinary center advancing innovative materials from wood and other renewable bio-based resources. Through research, design, and industry collaboration, we develop sustainable solutions for construction, packaging, textiles, environmental remediation, and emerging bio-based markets.

Our work spans seven strategic areas: advanced wood construction, sustainable packaging, environmental remediation materials, sidestream valorization, bio-based adhesives and coatings, functional textiles, and circular bioeconomy analytics (LCA, TEA, and carbon systems).

By uniting expertise across forestry, engineering, materials science, and design, WU+D drives innovation, supports industry growth, and helps build a resilient, circular economy for South Carolina and beyond.

The Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) accelerates innovation in South Carolina’s $21 billion forest-based and bio-based materials economy. We bring together experts in forestry, engineering, materials science, architecture, and industry to develop renewable materials and technologies that strengthen communities, industries, and ecosystems.

Driving Innovation Across Bio-Based Industries

• Creating next-generation materials for construction, packaging, textiles, food systems, and environmental remediation.
• Transforming wood and other renewable resources into high-performance, low-carbon, and circular products.
• Advancing new technologies in composites, resins, adhesives, coatings, textiles, filtration media, and sidestream-derived materials.

Supporting Industry Growth & Competitiveness

• Helping companies adopt cutting-edge bio-based solutions, strengthening supply chains and opening new markets.
• Providing applied research, prototyping, workforce development, and technical assistance.
• Attracting new business and investment to South Carolina’s bioeconomy.

Strengthening Forest Resource Management

• Developing management practices that produce higher-quality fiber and support resilient, climate-smart forestry.
• Integrating carbon accounting, circularity metrics, and LCA/TEA tools to guide sustainable decision-making.

WU+D offers Clemson students immersive, cross-disciplinary learning experiences that prepare them to lead in the circular bioeconomy.

Preparing the Next Generation of Innovators

• Training future architects, engineers, foresters, scientists, and designers.
• Embedding sustainability, circularity, and materials innovation across academic programs.

Hands-On Learning With Real-World Impact

• Providing labs, studios, and pilot-scale environments where students design, build, and test new materials and products.
• Integrating student innovations into prototypes, demonstration projects, and applied research.

Fueling Creativity, Research & Collaboration

• Engaging Creative Inquiry teams, graduate students, and interdisciplinary research groups in breakthrough materials development.
• Connecting Clemson’s main campus with statewide research centers, industry partners, and regional economic development networks

• The Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) partners with industry leaders to drive research, innovation, and workforce development that expand the use of wood and renewable bio-based materials across the United States. By collaborating with WU+D, DPR will have the opportunity to shape emerging technologies, influence market growth, and contribute to the strategic direction of a national leader in sustainable materials innovation.
• To learn more about how to engage with WU+D and join our expanding network of industry collaborators, visit our Partners Page.