Chilean pulp producer Empresas CMPC SA is betting on a local startup that is
working to create a wood alternative for concrete and steel in the construction
industry.
CMPC Ventures, CMPC’s venture capital division, led a
$5.2 million investment in Strong by Form, a Chilean startup that develops
wood panels that it claims can be used in construction and even in the automotive
industry, according to a press release.
Strong by Form said its wood panels
achieve the strength of concrete with one tenth of the weight, and also use less
trees than cross laminated timber products, according to the statement.
Strong By Form didn’t report a valuation of the company. Other investors
included CiRi Ventures, France’s MAIF Avenir Ventures and Teampact Ventures, among
others. The company will use the funds to continue developing its products and
build a production facility. Strong by Form said, without providing further
details, that its also working on partnerships with Deutsche Bahn and the BMW
Group.