A Conversation with Matt O'Malia and Ben Herzog

Matt O’Malia, Co-Founder and CEO of TimberHP, and Ben Herzog, Wood Technologist at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, O’Malia, who is a licensed architect and manufactures wood-based insulation in Maine, and Herzog, who leads Wood Composites research at UMaine with the world’s largest 3D printer, talk about innovation in Maine. O’Malia shares his path from architect to entrepreneur, and discusses what is behind his drive for sustainable innovation. The group goes on to discuss solving problems, getting new products to the marketplace, and collaborating with both the public and private sectors for funding. O’Malia describes how he was able to set up manufacturing in a retired mill in Madison, and the value of using the existing infrastructure and human capital to launch TimberHP. The group also delves into the process behind TimberHP: using the waste product from lumber production - the wood residuals - and converting it into sustainable building products. Herzog also discusses the 3D printer at UMaine, which prints with wood residuals and was able to print an entire house – the BioHome3D, a structure that is completely recyclable. The group then focuses the conversation on the housing crisis and how innovation will be essential to solving the complex issue. What do O’Malia and Herzog see as the future of construction? Listen to the episode to find out!