Articles | Wood Products

Minister Rehn: Wood construction is part of bioeconomy development

7.9.2015

According to Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, the government is furthering use of wood products in construction as part of its strategic goal for bioeconomy and clean solutions. "It is now important to continue development of industrial wood construction and further improve competitiveness of wood as a construction material as part of Finland's bioeconomy development. Know-how and experience increase most through hands-on wood construction sites. This pertains to multi-storey residential buildings, public buildings, hall-like buildings and even wooden bridges. It requires continued good collaboration between the government, wood product companies and construction companies."

Schweighofer prize-winner hopes for stronger lobbying on behalf of wood construction

19.8.2015

This year, the winner of the €100,000 Schweighofer prize, which is awarded every second year, is Dr Erich Wiesner from Austria. The prize for achievement over an extended period of time is a tribute to persons or organisations that have served as examples for the whole European forest and wood industry.

Use of Plywood for Construction Is Booming

19.8.2015

The awakening economic growth in Europe is expected to also boost the plywood market. Mika Sillanpää, the Executive Vice President of UPM Plywood, believes that the plywood market will grow even faster than at present after the economic growth in Europe has started. More than 90 per cent of UPM Plywood’s production is exported.

Solid Wood Elements Take over Single-Family House Construction

19.8.2015

The construction of single-family houses using cross-laminated timber (CLT) is common in North America and Central Europe, and now this trend has also landed in the Finnish prefabricated house industry. The development of this construction method, which requires product and process know-how, is the result of the waning demand for prefabricated houses and changes in consumer habits in the field of construction. Olament Oy, a company that produces solid wood elements, and Vivola Oy, in charge of the turnkey process, expect the sales of this new product in the prefabricated housing market to grow rapidly.

Wooden Prefabricated Elements a Quick Solution for Additional Space at Schools

19.8.2015

Timber-framed module and prefabricated element engineering is a fast-growing solution for public construction in Finland. Cities and municipalities have discovered that timber-framed modular units on finance leasing are the best solution for urgent space requirements when building schools, day-care centres or sheltered housing for the elderly. The foundations of these movable buildings are quick to build and the elements are easy to transport and quick to install on site.

Stora Enso to increase the production of building elements for urban construction and export

19.8.2015

In Finland, Stora Enso will begin the production of LVL (laminated veneer lumber). In the second quarter of 2016, a new production line will start up at the location of an old paper machine at the Varkaus mill, which will make wooden building elements using lathe technology. The company’s aim is to supplement the present production of CLT (cross-laminated timber) and sawn timber with the renowned and much-used LVL engineering wood product, which is suitable for many construction applications.

Finland targeting growth in the wooden bridge market through type approval

19.8.2015

Versowood Oy, Finland’s leading wooden bridge manufacturer, has managed to get the authorities to grant type approval for a glued laminated timber (gluelam) bridge for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Managing Director, Ville Kopra, is satisfied with the end result of the approval process which has lasted for years, and expects it to open up new markets for wooden bridge construction.

Finland promotes wood building as a part of the bio-economy

19.8.2015

Petteri Orpo, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the Finnish Government, thinks it important that society creates the right conditions now and in the future for development work on and marketing of timber construction. Orpo takes the view that the action the Government has already taken to promote wood building, coupled with the relevant programmes, has been an important part of bio-economic strategy and the fight against climate change.

Finnish wood sailing the Seven Seas

19.8.2015

The Finnish furniture industry, which has established a global reputation through its design products, is in the grip of structural change. Last year, the value of furniture imports was almost four times greater than that of exports. With mass production being transferred to countries with lower production costs, the companies that are surviving in the furniture industry are those that specialise.

An international comparison: wood construction meets the objectives of the climate report

19.8.2015

The new UN Climate Report warns of wide-ranging and irrevocable consequences if carbon emissions are not taken under control. Because the volume of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is now at a record high, mitigating such emissions requires fast and concrete decisions. According to the report, the world has only a little time to keep global warming in check at reasonable costs. The aim is to reduce emissions by 40-70% between 2010 and 2050, and to end the consumption of fossil fuels completely by 2100.