The 2026 Marcus Wallenberg Prize is awarded to Prof. Holger Militz for his groundbreaking research on and industrialization of wood modification technologies. His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip presented the Prize on Monday 19 October in Stockholm.
The Prize sum is 2.5 MSEK.
Prof. Holger Militz has significantly advanced the fundamental understanding of how chemical modification processes improve wood properties across multiple hierarchical scales. His research has revealed mechanisms leading to improvements in dimensional stability and resistance to biological degradation.
His scientific work has been instrumental in bringing wood acetylation to an industrial scale, resulting in wood products with exceptional durability and dimensional stability while preserving recyclability and non‑toxicity.
Prof. Militz’s work has had a key role in scaling up of the acetylation process. Acetylation process is recognized for enhancing the durability and dimensional stability of wood products. Wood treatment with a water-soluble resin is another example of Holger Militz’s innovative approach to the successful advancement and implementation of a wood modification technology.
Holger Militz research has broadened the use of wood for various applications, including durable facades, outdoor furniture, and load-bearing structures exposed to weathering.
Key facts about the laureate
Holger Militz is Professor at the University of Göttingen, Germany, and Head of the Department of Wood Biology and Wood Products.
His main research interests in wood technology include wood modification, wood decay, wood protection, and wood drying. He has published more than 400 journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters, as well as more than 30 patents.
For more information:
Mikael Hannus, Executive Secretary, The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, mikael.hannus@mwp.org, +46 70-3775702
Shiva Telavari, Coordinator, The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, shiva.telavari@mwp.org, +46 72-5725850
The Marcus Wallenberg Prize is an international prize with the purpose of recognizing, encouraging, and stimulating pathbreaking scientific achievements, which contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries. www.mwp.org
