NHLA Annual Report on the North American Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) Market - 2025
- NHLA
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
September 1, 2025 | National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) | Memphis, TN
A data-driven overview of where the market stands—and what NHLA members can do now to shape standards, demand, and long-term profitability.
AUTHORS
Sailesh Adhikari, Director of Research and Development
Dallin Brooks, Executive Director
Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector
Natalie Thelen, Chief Marketing Officer
Melissa Ellis Smith, Creative Director
Brennah Hutchison, Hardwood Industry Liaison and Content Director
CONTACT
Sailesh Adhikari, Director of Research and Development
(901) 399-7552
Photos courtesy of:
• Arbor Wood Co. (pages 2, 8, 12 and 43)
• Jartek (front cover top image, page 4 right and page 44)
• ThermalWood Canada (front cover bottom image, pages 6, 55 and back cover)
• Thermory (page 4 left, pages 10 and 57)
PREFACE
Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) is gaining momentum in North America — but the market is still writing its rulebook.
Demand is rising for materials that last longer, perform better, and meet higher sustainability expectations.
TMW directly responds to these demands, offering enhanced durability and stability without the use of chemicals. Adoption is accelerating, but inconsistent terminology, uneven performance claims, and limited shared data are slowing specification and scale. This report is designed to give producers and specifiers a common reference point—and to support standards that unlock broader markets. This report was created to bring that clarity.
Funded by Jartek and independently produced by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), this report offers an objective snapshot of the North American thermal modification market — where it stands today, and its trajectory forward.
Jartek designs and delivers industrial technology that enables producers to manufacture TMW with
consistent, high-end quality. Supporting this report reflects a simple belief: heat alone does not define
thermal modification — control, knowledge, and standards do. Markets are more than machinery. They are built by shared understanding, transparent data, and trust across the value chain. If you produce, distribute, test, specify, or sell TMW, NHLA invites you to contribute data, field experience, and feedback to strengthen the next edition and inform standards development.
We hope this report helps move the conversation forward and supports the responsible growth of
thermally modified wood in North America.
FOREWORD
National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) is proud to present its first annual report, offering
a comprehensive analysis of thermally modified wood (TMW) in North America. Since 1898, NHLA has supported innovation and transparency for hardwood producers, and this report furthers that mission.
Thermally Modified Wood represents one of the most promising value‑added technologies available
to our industry. With growing demand for sustainable, durable, and specifiable building materials, TMW provides a powerful pathway to elevate the competitiveness of our domestic species. It enables
mills to utilize under‑valued or under‑utilized hardwoods, diversify revenue streams, and meet evolving consumer and specifier expectations with confidence.
Yet, despite its potential, the North American TMW landscape remains fragmented. Producers face
inconsistent terminology, limited standards, and varying levels of technical understanding in the marketplace.
Architects and builders seek reliable data. Manufacturers need clarity, support, and a unified voice. NHLA is stepping forward to fill that gap.
This report—produced independently by NHLA, funded by Jartek, and supported through the generosity of industry partners—provides a neutral, data‑driven foundation for the responsible growth
of TMW across the U.S. and Canada. It reflects months of research, industry interviews, and collaborative engagement across the value chain. Our newly formed NHLA Thermal Modification Task Force is already building on this work by developing North America’s first cohesive framework for classification, certification, and performance consistency.
But the success of this initiative depends on more than research and reporting. It depends on our
members, partners, and stakeholders. NHLA invites your candid feedback, your technical expertise,
and your continued support. Together, we can shape new markets, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and ensure that North American hardwoods remain a global leader in performance, sustainability, and innovation.
NHLA’s Thermal Modification Task Force is developing a North American framework for terminology,
classification, and performance consistency. We need member participation—producers, distributors,
researchers, and downstream manufacturers—to supply data, identify knowledge gaps, and validate
what works in real markets. Your input will directly shape the next report and the standards that follow.
Next report: March 2027.
NHLA LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE
The NHLA Board of Directors recognizes Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) as a significant opportunity to add value to our domestic hardwood species and expand market applications. By increasing value and diversifying demand, we further our mission of growing and stabilizing the hardwood industry. Through member engagement, collaboration with equipment producers and manufacturers, and in-depth market analysis, this report represents an important step in understanding and advancing the TMW sector in North America. NHLA is committed to strengthening industry knowledge, supporting the development of standards and certifications, and serving as the leading association for thermally modified hardwood.
Bucky Pescaglia
Chairman of the Board
Thermally modified hardwood represents a meaningful opportunity for North American species to increase value and compete with tropical and other modified wood imports. As this market continues to mature, structure, consistency, and performance standards are essential for broader adoption among design professionals and specifiers. The NHLA is committed to providing that leadership through research, industry collaboration, and the development of certification standards that promote quality and confidence in thermally modified hardwood products. While not every producer will participate in this segment, advancing TMW strengthens the entire hardwood industry by expanding applications, diversifying markets, and supporting our mission to Grow and Stabilize the Hardwood Industry.
Dana Spessert
NHLA Chief Inspector
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