The industry is witnessing a rising demand for wooden construction where it can be used efficiently - even in combination with steel and concrete. This article explores four main themes shaping this shift: An increased demand for wood products, the emergence of hybrid solutions, the rise of prefabrication, and the importance of forest biodiversity.

Demand for wood solutions increases

Many cities and municipalities are gradually setting targets for more sustainable buildings, according to Anna Ervast Öberg, Operating Manager at Folkhem, a residential developer. They have chosen to exclusively build with wood already for several years, emphasizing that their choice is primarily for the sake of the environment. Wood reduces the carbon footprint of cities and enhances the quality of life.

"The demand for wooden construction is skyrocketing, and the interest in wood is growing. This is true both for those who will live in the buildings and from the construction industry and municipalities" says Anna Ervast Öberg.

The benefits of building with wood are plenty. One example of a successful project for Folkhem is the Cederhusen in Stockholm, where multi-family houses were built on top of a tunnel. The low weight of wood compared to other construction materials made the project possible. She believes that the right solution for sustainable urban development is not only in the technology but also in the materials we choose. Wood, with its sustainable properties, becomes a central part of this equation.

Bright horizon with hybrid elements

Hybrid elements, where different construction materials are combined, are becoming increasingly interesting ways to reduce emissions. The precast concrete element manufacturer Heidelberg Materials Precast Contiga has developed a new hybrid element, combining concrete and Kerto LVL. Daniel Eriksson, Division Manager at the company, considers it to be a valuable addition to the products they currently offer to the market.

"The most surprising advantage of the hybrid element is how easily we can adapt our production to manufacture this type of hybrid element. It leverages the different strengths of the materials, and we believe it will be well received by the market" says Daniel Eriksson.

He believes the future of the construction industry lies in using the right materials in the right place and choosing resources correctly, achieved through cross-industry collaborations like the one has with Metsä Wood.

Hybrid elements are an innovation combining concrete, insulation and Kerto LVL

Prefabrication reduces construction time-

"Prefabricated wooden elements enable many advantages for construction" says Björn Johanson from Bjerking AB, a technical engineering consultant for urban development.

Björn believes that we should choose the construction materials wisely and take the transportation distance and weight into account.

"If solid structures are used in tall buildings it will increase the weight, and that creates greater challenges with the load-bearing elements. The construction industry should use hollow and more efficient structures when possible. When building with prefabricated elements, you can build faster, reduce costs, and achieve higher quality" says Björn Johanson, highlighting Metsä Wood's Kerto LVL as the strongest wood product that fits well with prefab elements.

Metsä Group prioritizes forests' biodiversity

It was clear that wood is a construction material of the future, when leading industry representatives met to discuss sustainable construction. Biodiversity is crucial for Metsä Group to ensure the future use and availability of wood material without impacting the environment. Preserving the biological diversity of forests ensures the availability of raw materials in the future as forests become more resilient and adaptable to climate changes.

"It's incredibly important that our customers know that all the wood we use comes from sustainably managed forests. Wood is an excellent material for sustainable construction when used efficiently and correctly" says Henrik Söderström, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Metsä Wood.

Henrik Söderström identified the challenges forestry faces due to climate change but also extensively discussed about the benefits of safeguarding forest nature. Many measures have already been taken in this direction, with more on the horizon.

Speakers

Anna Ervast Öberg, Operating Manager, Folkhem

Daniel Eriksson, Division Manager, Heidelberg Materials Precast Contiga

Björn Johanson, Specialist, Wooden constructions, Bjerking.

Henrik Söderström, SVP, Sales and Marketing, Metsä Wood