Supersede, a company aiming to replace conventional wood-based building materials in manufacturing and construction, announced the launch of the “world’s first” 1:1 marine-grade plywood replacement.
The Supersede Marine Board, an engineered extruded sheet crafted from plastic waste, is modern, scalable and cost-effective. It is 100% recyclable, waterproof and rot-proof, and does not splinter or split. Beginning with the boat manufacturing industry, Supersede will also provide its innovative solution to manufacturers of modular homes, RVs and trailers.
The announcement comes as traditional plywood prices are still ⅓ higher than in 2019, following pandemic-related supply chain challenges. Additionally, boat manufacturers are increasingly facing a rise in plywood warp, rot, splinter and performance issues due to change in moisture levels. Marine-grade plywood is processed using harmful chemicals that are known to pose possible health, safety and environmental hazards. While marine-grade plywood has been in use for decades, the unreliability of its supply chain, its non-durability and its potential risk to human and environmental health makes the plywood market — worth $31.5 billion in the U.S. alone — ripe for transformation.
“Boat manufacturers and their insurers have more experience than almost anyone with the headaches of plywood — from the persistent challenges associated with inconsistent performance, warping and splinters, to extensive maintenance, high costs and little peace of mind,” said Supersede CEO and co-founder Sean Petterson. “We have created the first modern breakthrough addressing these issues with the Supersede Marine Board, a true 1:1 replacement to marine-grade plywood that has all the attributes boat manufacturers look for: a durable, reliable and affordable solution that is non-hazardous, environmentally sustainable, and always consistent. This isn’t just an upgrade to the legacy plywood industry, it’s a long overdue leap forward.”
The potential environmental impact of the Supersede Marine Board is substantial. For every 72 sheets of half-foot plywood displaced, one tree is saved. Additionally, Supersede’s manufacturing and engineering process eliminates VOCs, adhesives and waste from the equation. The solution also provides an effective, cost-incentivized solution for plastic recycling, which can help counter the spread of microplastics entering the ocean and negatively impacting human health.
Beyond offering a durable, cost-effective, sustainable and safe alternative to existing marine-grade plywood, Supersede is also ideal for partners. The company’s vertically integrated and streamlined supply chain means manufacturers benefit from consistent pricing. Supersede also eliminates steps in the manufacturing process such as sanding, sealing, and drying, thereby saving partners labor costs and substantially increasing throughput. Supersede’s offcuts are also 100% recyclable, and the company’s offcut buyback program enables customers to achieve their zero waste goals. The Supersede Marine Board is also safer for partners’ employees because it prevents exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins like CCA, splinters, and sawdust.
The Supersede leadership team includes co-founders Jordan Darling, Sean Petterson and Shane Kenyon, all graduates of the Rochester Institute of Technology, a nationally top-ranked university for innovation. Darling and Petterson — both Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees in manufacturing — and Kenyon have extensive experience working in construction from a young age, having grown up in families who worked in the industry. Kenyon, a mechanical design engineer with automotive industry expertise, led teams at Tesla, NIO and Nikola Motor Company.
