Global Cross Laminated Timber Market Exhibiting a Double-Digit Growth Rate, Driven by Exceptional Properties and Environmental Advantages

Cross-Laminated Timber or CLT is an engineering material introduced in the early 1990s in Austria and Germany. It is made by layering timber panels cross-wise and glueing them together in order to provide them with strength, rigidity and dimensional stability. It is prefabricated as per the requirements of the customer which helps with faster installation and zero on-site waste. The various structural and dimensional properties of cross-laminated timber make it suitable for making roofs, walls and floors of low-, mid- and high-rise buildings. Cross-laminated timber has become one of the most preferred building materials, particularly in the Central European region where it finds applications in both residential and non-residential sectors.

According to IMARC Group, the global production of cross-laminated timber reached 725,000 cubic metres in 2015, growing at a CAGR of more than 17% during 2008-2015. The popularity of cross-laminated timber products can be attributed to the green building movement operating in the European countries, product approvals, and improved marketing and distribution channels. Moreover, its sustainability, ease of use, flexibility, fast installation and environment-friendly attributes are expected to drive the global cross-laminated timber market with the production volume reaching around 1.3 Million cubic metres by 2021, exhibiting a CAGR of more than 10% during 2015-2021.

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Superior Attributes and Environmental Advantages of Cross-Laminated Timber Increasing Its Popularity

Cross-laminated timber provides various structural and dimensional advantages over heavy timber and other conventional construction materials such as concrete, masonry and steel. The cross-lamination of wood panels provides dimensional stability, high strength and stiffness to the final product. It can also be drilled like other wood products and weighs 2.5 times lighter than concrete while providing the same strength. The prefabrication of the panels helps in easy handling and quick assembly and installation which facilitate rapid project construction.

Cross-laminated timber structures also perform well when they are subjected to seismic forces which make them a good option for construction in earthquake-prone regions. They also provide considerable fire resistance, often comparable to those of non-combustible construction material. This fire-resistance is a result of the characteristic property of thick timber to char slowly at a predictable rate, which allows it to maintain substantial structural capacity for long durations when exposed to fire. Besides good fire and seismic resistance, cross-laminated timber structures provide the natural sound and thermal insulation of wood as well.

The most important advantage that cross-laminated timber offers over other construction materials with equivalent functionality is its environment-friendly nature. It represents a sustainable building material with a smaller carbon footprint as a result of low greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage capacity of wood products. As cross-laminated timber panels are made using mostly small diameter spruce, the manufacturing process is also environmentally responsible and energy-efficient. Therefore, the use of these panels and structures helps in reducing the carbon footprint of the area.

These exceptional attributes of the cross-laminated timber panels and assemblies along with the many environmental advantages make it a popular choice amongst designers and consumers for various types of construction worldwide.

Austria Represents the Largest Producer of Cross-Laminated Timber

Cross-laminated timber is seen as an important building material in Europe, as a result of which, the region accounts for the majority of its total global production and continues to be the fastest growing market. As it was first introduced in Austria, the country represents the largest producer of cross-laminated timber accounting for more than 60% of the total market share. Austria was followed by Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.

As Europe is the largest market of cross-laminated timber, the key manufacturers are also located in this continent. Currently, Stora Enso represents the largest producer of cross laminated timber followed by KLH and Binderholz. Some of the other major producers of cross-laminated timber include - Mayr-Melnhof Holz, Hasslacher, Martinsons and Moelven.

About IMARC Group: IMARC Group is a leading market research and consulting company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. The company has done multiple projects on the cross-laminated timber industry, which has enabled the clients to successfully setup and expand their businesses. Some of the company’s offerings include: