InnovaWood warmly congratulates Prof. Holger Militz on receiving the 2026 Marcus Wallenberg Prize, one of the most prestigious international awards in the forest-based sector. The prize was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip on 19 October in Stockholm and recognises Prof. Militz’s outstanding contributions to the research and industrialisation of wood modification technologies.
Over several decades, Prof. Militz has played a pivotal role in advancing the scientific understanding of wood modification processes, particularly wood acetylation. His research has helped bring these technologies from the laboratory to industrial application, enabling the production of durable, dimensionally stable, non-toxic and recyclable wood products.
The impact of his work can be seen in a wide range of applications, from long-lasting façades and outdoor furniture to structural timber exposed to challenging weather conditions. By improving wood performance and extending service life, his innovations have contributed significantly to the development of sustainable, bio-based solutions for the built environment.
Professor of Wood Biology and Wood Products at the University of Göttingen, Germany, Prof. Militz has authored more than 400 scientific publications and holds over 30 patents. His achievements continue to strengthen the role of wood as a sustainable material for a circular and climate-neutral future.
Prof. Holger Militz is one of the most recognised figures in our community. The University of Göttingen has also been a valued member of the InnovaWood Network since its early days. Beyond his outstanding scientific achievements, Holger has left a lasting mark on generations of researchers through his mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support. Many scientists have benefited from his expertise and encouragement throughout their careers, with researchers such as Erik Larnoy and Andreja Kutnjar being just two examples among many professional journeys that have been shaped by his influence.
The Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium 2026 on YouTube
Opening
Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of MWP | Welcome & Opening remarks
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=32
Part I
Ingo Burgert, ETH Zurich (moderator) | Scientific focus
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=148
Andreja Kutnar, University of Primorska | Wood research in Europe: trends, innovations and opportunities
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=453
Holger Militz, University of Göttingen | Wood modification from lab scale to industrial application
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=1366
Emil Engelund Thybring | Why is there a need to modify wood?
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=3431
Callum Hill | Methods – How to characterize the success of modification treatments
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=4396
Part II
Tahani Kaldéus, Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (moderator) | Announcement of the Young Researchers’ Poster Winner
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=5328
Part III
Joris Van Acker, University of Ghent (moderator) | Modified wood use cases
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=5921
Barry Goodell, University of Maine | Understanding fungal decay and how modified wood resists degradative processes
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=6054
John Alexander, Accsys Group | Acetylation
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=7081
Jukka Ala-Viikari, ITWA | The ThermoWood Story
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=8132
Paul Clegg, Kebony | Furfurylation
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=9079
Catherine De Wolf, ETH Zurich | Circular Timber Construction
https://youtu.be/7jMiVBCpG50?t=10182
Read the full announcement on the Marcus Wallenberg Prize website.
Picture credits: Marcus Wallenberg Foundation