Metsä Wood, a Finland-based manufacturer of engineered wood products, says its sustainable, material-efficient products can store carbon for decades, helping to combat climate change.
To build its new concrete plant of 17,000 square meters, German construction specialist Brüninghoff, which makes prefabricated wooden materials, such as laminated veneer lumber, wanted to use materials that fit its sustainability strategy. So the company chose Kerto LVL—prefabricated panels and studs made by Metsä Wood—for the plant’s exterior non-load-bearing walls. The panels were attached to load-bearing concrete frames.
Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL, a structural laminated veneer lumber, takes up less volume than other wood materials and also has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. In addition to supporting the sustainability strategy, Kerto LVL led to optimized assembly times.
The Brüninghoff plant has a total of 239 wall elements with an area of around 5,000 square meters. It used a total of 242 cubic meters of Kerto LVL. The team used a carbon storage calculator to determine that the Kerto LVL stores 165.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (a unit based on global warming potential)—meaning that, compared to other construction materials, the wood in Metsä Wood’s product is “highly sustainable,” the company says.
“Through this construction, we are forcing structural change towards construction that supports circular economy. Change is needed as the construction sector is responsible for consuming huge quantities of resources. It is a question of optimizing construction methods, developing low-emission concepts, and increasingly backing recycling solutions,” Frank Steffens, managing director, Brüninghoff, said in a statement.
The building has already received pre-certification per the ecological, economic, and social criteria of the German Society for Sustainable Construction (DGNB).
![Metsa Wood Group ext 2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Metsa%20Wood%20Group%20ext%202.png)
![Metsa Wood Group int](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Metsa%20Wood%20Group%20int.png)
![Metsa Wood Group int 2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Metsa%20Wood%20Group%20int%202.png)
![Metsa Wood Group int 3](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Metsa%20Wood%20Group%20int%203.png)
Related Stories
Wood | Oct 10, 2018
A recent seminar in New York City talks up the use of mass timber for taller buildings
The products’ future, though, could hinge on approval of proposed code changes.
Wood | Aug 24, 2018
The largest dowel laminated timber project in North America begins construction in Des Moines
The building will feature a unique “shou sugi ban” charred wood exterior.
Wood | Jul 23, 2018
Mass timber high-rise project on hold in Portland, Ore.
Inflation, escalating construction costs, and fluctuations in tax credit market are to blame for the Framework project being put on hold.
Wood | Jul 2, 2018
Mass timber comes of age: Code consideration, evolving supply chain promise new options for tall wood buildings
Judging by the outcome of a recent International Code Council Action Hearing, it’s likely that we will be seeing more and taller mass timber buildings across the country very soon, writes Patricia Layton, PhD, Professor of Forestry, Clemson University.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2018
Structural engineered wood products exempt from new EPA formaldehyde ruling
Exempt products include structural plywood, oriented strand board (OSB).
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: T3 mass timber office buildings
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), architect and mass timber design expert Steve Cavanaugh tells the story behind the nation’s newest—and largest—mass timber building: T3 in Minneapolis.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 23, 2018
Mass timber design for multifamily housing
The adaptability of urban development could be revolutionized through the inherent strength of mass timber construction.
Wood | Feb 15, 2018
Japanese company announces plans for the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper
The planned tower would rise 350 meters (1148 feet).
Wood | Feb 5, 2018
The largest timber office building in the U.S. will anchor Newark, N.J. mixed-use development
Michael Green Architecture is designing the building.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 4, 2018
Shigeru Ban’s mass timber tower in Vancouver gets city approval
The 232-foot-tall Terrace House luxury condo development will be the tallest hybrid wood structure in North America.