Wood-based composites for additive manufacturing of sustainable furniture: A review of materials, processing techniques, and performance

The growing demand for sustainable and digitally customized furniture has stimulated the development of additive manufacturing (AM) using wood-based composites. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent progress in material formulation, processing, and functional performance of wood-derived feedstocks for 3D printing. Various systems, including thermoplastic wood composites, bio-based and biodegradable polymers, and wood-based pastes or hydrogels, are compared in terms of printability, rheology, and structural integrity. The influence of nanocellulose, lignin nanoparticles, and hybrid fillers on mechanical reinforcement and dimensional stability is critically discussed. In addition, emerging AM techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), paste extrusion, binder jetting, and robotic hybrid printing are evaluated with respect to scalability and material compatibility for furniture fabrication. Industrial case studies demonstrate how circular design and digital fabrication can be achieved using renewable lignocellulosic resources. Despite substantial advancements, challenges remain in ensuring large-scale production, cost efficiency, and long-term durability under variable environmental conditions. The review concludes by outlining future research priorities focused on material circularity, multi-material printing, and life-cycle assessment (LCA), aiming to accelerate the transition toward fully sustainable, digitally driven wood-based furniture manufacturing. • Review of wood-based composites for 3D-printed furniture. • Analysis of thermoplastic, bio-based, and hydrogel wood feedstocks. • Assessment of AM methods: FDM, binder jetting, robotic extrusion. • Role of nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles in performance. • Challenges and future trends toward circular, scalable production.