Materials made from the building blocks of wood are an expanding area of research at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. Whether fueling jet engines, offering alternatives to concrete and textiles or replacing plastics, the versatility of bio-based materials has opened the door to their possible application in a broad array of industries. In this issue, we explore a few examples of the potential of these bio-based disruptors, particularly in the global bid towards more sustainable and fully biodegradable products.