CLT production site number three in Gruvön © Kjell Andersson
One of the main reasons why carbon emissions from the construction industry have reached a peak is the continued overuse of carbon-intensive materials, such as steel and concrete. Recent technical innovations in the mass timber segment will reduce dependence on those materials. “Today, we are able to build taller, stronger and lighter wooden buildings than ever before, and Sylva will make it even easier,” Lars Völkel, Executive Vice President of Stora Enso’s Wood Products Division, says.
Sylva by Stora Enso is a comprehensive range of prefabricated wood-based products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and glue-laminated timber (GLT). The Sylva kit contains everything needed to create modern, sustainable wooden structures for low-carbon buildings. The custom-made walls, ceilings, roofs, stairs, columns and beams optimize the use of mass timber, thereby making it possible to adapt buildings of all types and sizes to meet specific project requirements. Stora Enso’s automated coating line, which is currently being installed in Ybbs in Lower Austria, will further increase the value and quality of Sylva construction elements thanks to additional, high-quality water-based coatings that protect against moisture, sunlight, insects and fire. This will reduce construction times as well as costs for construction companies, create more added value and improve product quality.
Wood products can make a valuable contribution to the transformation of the construction sector – from an emitter of greenhouse gases to a driver of carbon reduction. Every cubic meter of wood, which is used as a substitute for non-renewable building materials, reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 1.5 tons. The carbon used is stored in wooden buildings for generations. As building material, wood can immediately save up to 70% of emissions, thereby making sure that the construction industry is part of the solution to mitigate global warming.
By delivering prefabricated, easy-to-install elements to construction sites, we are responding to the growing trend towards efficient and high-quality production while providing a solution to the industry’s shortage of workers. In this regard, Sylva represents a milestone. With Sylva, steel and concrete are replaced with renewable wood, thereby enabling a circular, low-carbon construction process.
