Freres Lumber was awarded a $250,000 Wood Innovations Grant from the U.S. Forest Service to further develop its new mass plywood panel product.
The new material, which uses U.S.-grown wood, is a substitute for concrete and steel in multi-story projects. The grant will help pay for a computer numeric code (CNC) machine to cut panels to buyers’ specifications.
“MPP is a new-to-the-world product,” said Tyler Freres, Vice President of Sales. “It is a carbon-neutral substitute for concrete and steel in multi-level structures. It is one-sixth the weight of concrete, and will provide a stronger, lighter, smaller, less expensive option than cross-laminated timbers.”
Testing through Oregon State University of Forestry and the Center for Advanced Wood Products has proven that MPP can achieve the same structure attributes of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) while using 20% to 30% less wood, according to Freres news release. “Like CLT, MPP panels can be manufactured up to 24 inches thick, 12 feet wide, and 48 feet long.”
Related Stories
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
| Jun 14, 2012
USGBC co-founder launches rating system for building product manufacturers
U.S. Green Building Council co-founder David Gottfried’s new venture, Regenerative Ventures, has established a rating system for building product manufacturers.
| Jun 14, 2012
Green standard set for single-ply roofing membrane
A sustainability standard has been established for single-ply roofing membranes used on commercial buildings.
| Jun 14, 2012
Minnesota Vikings stadium plan gets legislative go-ahead
Legislation that approved the construction of a new billion dollar stadium for the Minnesota Vikings passed the Minnesota legislature.
| Jun 14, 2012
Report alleges New York’s prevailing construction wages are miscalculated, costing billions
A miscalculation in how prevailing wages are calculated in New York reportedly costs the state $3 billion a year in public-infrastructure projects.
| Jun 14, 2012
AGC, other business groups oppose hiring rules for disabled
Business groups have asked the U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider a proposed hiring quota aimed at federal contractors pertaining to people with disabilities.
