Challenges Facing the Development and Market Introduction of Hardwood Cross-Laminated Timbers

Hassler, Curt C.; McNeel, Joseph F.; Dénes, Levente; Norris, Jonathan H.; Bencsik, Balasz

doi:10.13073/fpj-d-22-00048

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Hassler et al [90] conducted a thorough examination of the challenges faced in improving and establishing the market for CLT in the United States. Two key issues were addressed:…”

Section: Literature Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Views of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Manufacturer Representatives around the World on CLT Practices and Its Future Outlook

Ilgın,

Karjalainen,

Mikkola

2023

Buildings

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Due to its recent emergence, there is a limited body of global market research available on CLT. Presently, the literature lacks comprehensive understanding regarding the present state, varied uses, and future outlook of CLT construction at a global level. The objective of this article is to address this knowledge gap by conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with CLT manufacturer representatives around the world, including Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, Canada, and Uruguay. Critical findings emphasized that (1) the predominant mention was about the insufficient knowledge and experience within construction professionals; (2) a clear need for heightened expertise and training in the domain of CLT was underscored; (3) CLT was regarded as a favorable choice in efforts to combat climate change; (4) CLT was deemed highly appropriate for settings marked by variable climatic conditions; (5) CLT producers, particularly those with comprehensive, vertically integrated operations encompassing the entire processing cycle, remained unaffected by the rise in raw material costs; (6) the COVID-19 pandemic generally yielded positive impacts on the CLT market; (7) primary application of CLT, as emphasized by most manufacturers, is in residential and institutional projects; and (8) most manufacturers noted the expansive and boundless opportunities within the market, especially considering the climate crises as potential future avenues for the utilization of CLT. This article aims to advance the widespread adoption of CLT within the global construction sector. It will achieve this by elucidating the obstacles, possibilities, and forthcoming prospects associated with CLT.

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“…Hassler et al [90] conducted a thorough examination of the challenges faced in improving and establishing the market for CLT in the United States. Two key issues were addressed:…”

Section: Literature Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Views of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Manufacturer Representatives around the World on CLT Practices and Its Future Outlook

Ilgın,

Karjalainen,

Mikkola

2023

Buildings

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“…The perceptible presence of CLT developers in the United States (Appendix A1) is related to the greater interest in mass timber products and new manufacturing facilities to satisfy the construction sector, as stated by [38]. In turn, Japan has been actively promoting plantation timber as a sustainable alternative for producing products, which is why a highvalue-added timber chain is noted among its eight CLT manufacturers [39].…”

Section: Characterization Of the Global Industry Of Cross-laminated T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Global Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Industry: A Systematic Review and a Sectoral Survey of Its Main Developers

Araújo

Christofóro

2023

Sustainability

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Recently, both authors led a comprehensive review to discuss cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an engineered wood product, addressing the information and discussion on this building input in terms of the main details, materials, production forms, performances, codes, sustainability, applications, and perspectives for residential uses. The current scenario of CLT developers was raised in that previous paper as one of the missing factors in the available literature, and was the reason why this gap became the main goal of the present study. A global perspective was driven to provide information and discussion to every possible stakeholder. A systematic review on this sector was carried out, through the Web of Science and Scopus databases, to collect information and confirm this gap, using a representative method. CLT manufacturers were identified by their own websites, using a blended strategy formed by the systematic review results combined with the search for these companies using the Google search engine. Nearly a hundred CLT developers were identified and analyzed, in a representative sampling process. Results demonstrated that the CLT industry has manufacturing plants on the five habitable continents, which evinced a global commercial interest in this timber forest product. Despite the global presence of this mass timber product, most producers are concentrated in the northern hemisphere, despite being willing to serve international markets.

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“…Their results demonstrated the advantages of CLT manufacturing, emphasizing the need for a high degree of integration. Hassler et al [60] scrutinized the problems confronting the enhancement and market establishment of CLT in the USA. They addressed two critical issues: (1) authorization of certification for hardwoods; (2) manufacturing structurally classified panels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights from Finnish Experts on the Construction Practices and Future Prospects of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Ilgın,

Karjalainen

2023

Forests

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Given that CLT is a relatively recent innovation, there is a notable scarcity of market research in Finland. Presently, there is a limited body of literature that provides a thorough comprehension of the present state, varied applications, and anticipated future developments concerning the use of CLT within the Finnish construction sector. The limited availability of research data underscores the need for more extensive studies to fill this knowledge gap and provide a more nuanced insight into the evolving landscape of CLT adoption within the Finnish construction industry. This article aims to fill this gap through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 Finnish experts. Key findings highlighted that (1) the hierarchical order of familiarity with CLT among construction professionals in Finland, ranging from highest to lowest, was identified as follows: architects, engineers, developers, builders, and contractors; (2) a pronounced necessity exists for heightened expertise and training within the realm of CLT; (3) CLT was considered a promising option in endeavors aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate crises; (4) CLT showcased adaptability to environments marked by highly fluctuating climatic conditions, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach, including proactive maintenance strategies; (5) Finland adopted commendable and forward-looking sustainable practices in forest management; (6) the adaptability of CLT across a wide range of building categories; (7) the perceived vulnerabilities in CLT construction primarily included a lack of cost-competitiveness, insufficient sound insulation, and inadequate production volume; and (8) key future market prospects encompassed the versatility of CLT, increasing demand propelled by environmental considerations, and collaborative advancements in hybrid construction techniques. This article will contribute to the greater usage of CLT in the building industry in Finland by revealing the challenges, potential, and future outlook of CLT use.

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Challenges Facing the Development and Market Introduction of Hardwood Cross-Laminated Timbers

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Views of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Manufacturer Representatives around the World on CLT Practices and Its Future Outlook

Views of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Manufacturer Representatives around the World on CLT Practices and Its Future Outlook

The Global Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Industry: A Systematic Review and a Sectoral Survey of Its Main Developers

Insights from Finnish Experts on the Construction Practices and Future Prospects of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

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