Deadwood Innovations

Deadwood Innovations Ltd., established in 2019, operates within the forestry sector, focusing on transforming low-value and underutilized wood fibre into high-grade, engineered wood products. The company is a joint venture with the Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation, represented by the Nak'azdli Development Corporation, which holds an equity stake in the company and its intellectual property. This partnership is a core component of the business, aiming for economic reconciliation and shared governance.

The company's origins trace back to an idea from the grandfather of CEO and co-founder Owen Miller, who in 1974 sought a way to repair damaged lumber. This multi-generational ambition, further developed by Owen's father, Jerry Miller, evolved into the company's current mission. Owen Miller, as president and CEO, leads a team that includes co-founder and Director Rob Ubleis. The company leverages its technology to address challenges in the forestry industry, such as declining timber quality and the need for more sustainable practices.

Deadwood Innovations has developed a proprietary chemi-thermo-mechanical process that densifies and thermally modifies wood. This technology upgrades feedstock from sources like beetle-killed or fire-damaged timber and underutilized species such as aspen, which are often considered low-grade. The process enhances the wood's strength and stability, creating a durable, premium product that can compete with high-priced hardwoods. This is achieved without the use of conventional petrochemical-based adhesives. By utilizing this otherwise wasted fibre, the company sequesters carbon, reduces the need for slash pile burning, and helps mitigate wildfire risk.

The business model targets B2B clients, including primary lumber producers, wood product distributors, wholesalers, and secondary manufacturers. Revenue is generated by selling these upgraded wood products, which are positioned as high-performing, cost-competitive alternatives for indoor and outdoor applications, including furniture and decorative segments in the Asia-Pacific market. The company has successfully operated a pilot plant on the former Tl'Oh Forest Products site in Fort St. James, B.C., and is proceeding with its first commercial-scale facility. This facility will also support the creation of mass timber home kits from locally sourced materials, aiming to make regional housing projects more viable.

Keywords: engineered wood products, forestry technology, wood modification, value-added lumber, Indigenous partnership, Nak'azdli Whut'en, timber upcycling, wood densification, sustainable building materials, low-grade fibre, beetle-kill wood, forest bioeconomy, carbon sequestration, cleantech, lumber manufacturing, wood science, mass timber, circular economy, biomass utilization, advanced wood products, Fort St. James, British Columbia forestry