Skelleftea, a city in Sweden, is tackling the climate crisis one newbuilding at a time by bucking the trend of the customarily carbon-heavy construction industry. One such example is the new Sara Culture Centre that opened its doors is September 2021. Those behind the Sara Cultural Centre—the second tallest wooden tower in the world—claim the skyscraper will capture nine million kilograms of carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime
News in offsite construction
New Mass Timber Showcase Located in Vancouver, B.C. Scheduled for Substantial Completion in May 2022
A pilot project, whose soft costs are supported in part by Forestry Innovation Investment and Natural Resources Canada, is set for substantial completion by May 2022. The one-of-a-kind light-industrial/commercial building in mid-town Vancouver, B.C. is a four-story, 840-square meter building intended to demonstrate high-performance mass timber construction and design.
Sustainable Green Team Ltd. Purchasing Dormant 45-Acre Interfor Sawmill Site in Beaver, Washington
Sustainable Green Team Ltd., a Florida-based, publicly traded company, announced on Thursday (3-17-22) that it is purchasing the dormant 45-acre Interfor USA Inc. sawmill site in Beaver, Washington. The purchase includes leasing land Interfor now rents from the City of Fork, Oregon for $1 million.
Potential Solution to UK’s Housing Shortage: Offsite Timber Construction With OSB Panels
Members of the UK’s House of Commons recently received a research briefing on ways to address the growing housing shortage in England. Members were told that an estimated 340,000 new homes would be needed each year to meet the growing demand. Offsite timber frame construction could be the solution for housebuilders.
Element5 at the Forefront of a Revolutionary New Way of Building
A feature article in the London Free Press on Monday (3-14-22) highlights a St. Thomas, Ontario manufacturer at the forefront of what is becoming a revolutionary new way of building. The company is Element5. Element5 manufactures wood beams and panels used in building construction.
LP Building Solutions Completes Sale of Stake in I-Joist Joint Venture to Resolute Forest Products
LP Building Solutions (LP) announced on Friday (3-4-22) that it has closed on the previously announced sale of its 50% equity interest in two joint ventures that produce I-joists to Resolute Forest Products Inc. The long-time partnership was established as an equity method investment in which both LP and Resolute Forest Products had a 50% interest in each entity.
Stora Enso Oyj Halts All Exports and Imports From Russia
On Tuesday (3-2-22), Stora Enso Oyj, the Helsinki Finland-based integrated paper, packaging, and forest products company, which operates three corrugated packaging plants and two wood products sawmills in Russia, said it will stop all exports and imports to and from Russia. The company also announced that a mitigation plan has been activated to secure availability of input materials from other sources.
Wisdome Stockholm to be Sweden’s National Museum of Science and Technology Showcase of Climate-Friendly Construction
Sweden’s National Museum of Science and Technology is soon to be home of Wisdome Stockholm, a scientific experience arena located within the museum. Designed by architects Elding Oscarson, the 1,325 square meter building, which features a vaulted roof, will be home to a globe-shaped dome theatre of 21.6 meters in diameter hosting a 3D cinema with a spherical screen.
Stora Enso to Invest 9 Million Euros in Automated Cross-Laminated Timber Coating Line at Ybbs, Austria Sawmill
Stora Enso announced on Friday (2-11-22) that it will be investing 9 million euros in an automated cross-laminated timber (CLT) coating line at their Ybbs sawmill in Austria. In the news release, the company said the investment will further strengthen its position as a leading global provider of engineered wood products for low carbon, sustainable buildings.
Timberlink Investing Millions to Upgrade Tarpeena Sawmill and Construct New CLT/GLT Plant
Timberlink’s Tarpeena sawmill, located in South Australia, is undergoing a multi-million-dollar expansion. The project will include an upgrade the existing sawmill and the construction of Australia’s first cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) manufacturing plant, which will be co-located on the sawmill’s site.