Sustainable construction increasingly focuses on resource efficiency. Material selection plays a key role in lowering the environmental impact of building projects. Recent research highlights how engineered wood products like Kerto LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) offer major advantages over traditional materials such as steel-reinforced concrete. These benefits include significant reductions in both carbon emissions and material use.
Every construction material serves specific applications. Choosing the right material early helps architects, engineers, and developers balance structural strength, design freedom, and environmental impact. A life cycle approach considers all stages, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This enables well-informed decisions that support sustainable, long-lasting buildings.
According to Rosa Zabihian, Sustainability Manager at Metsä Wood, selecting materials early in a project boosts resource efficiency and lowers the carbon footprint. Starting with sustainable choices leads to better environmental outcomes and supports global climate goals.
A recent life cycle assessment conducted by AFRY, and verified by RISE and Ramboll, offers clear evidence. The study compared Kerto LVL and steel-reinforced concrete across their full life cycles, using cradle-to-grave boundaries. Energy recovery and carbon storage were excluded to ensure a fair comparison.
For floor structures, Kerto LVL results in a fossil climate impact of 29 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per square metre. Steel-reinforced concrete, by contrast, generates 105 kilograms for the same application. This means carbon emissions drop by more than 70 percent when using Kerto LVL. Material consumption shows a similar pattern. Kerto LVL requires just 34 kilograms of material per square metre, compared to 675 kilograms for concrete. That results in material savings of over 80 percent.
The same advantages appear in load-bearing wall structures. Kerto LVL generates 52 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per square metre, while steel-reinforced concrete produces 68 kilograms. Material use stands at 60 kilograms for Kerto LVL, compared to 463 kilograms for concrete. Again, this reflects a material saving of more than 80 percent. These savings stem from Kerto LVL’s high strength-to-weight ratio, which allows for lighter structures that still meet strict performance standards.
Engineered wood materials like Kerto LVL offer both environmental and financial benefits. Architects and engineers gain greater design freedom. Lighter and slimmer structures allow for creative architectural designs without sacrificing strength or safety.
For developers and investors, reduced material needs lower project costs and create more usable floor space. Meeting green building standards, such as BREEAM and LEED, becomes easier. This increases the appeal of projects for environmentally conscious clients.
Construction companies also benefit. Lightweight materials simplify transport, shorten building schedules, and reduce labour costs. Waste management costs drop, and safer working conditions improve overall efficiency.
As the construction sector aims to cut embodied carbon and meet climate targets, resource-efficient biobased materials like Kerto LVL provide a practical solution. These materials help design and construction professionals lead the way in sustainable, responsible building practices.
AFRY conducted the study, with third-party verification by RISE and Ramboll. The research covered the full life cycle of Kerto LVL, produced in Finland, and locally manufactured steel-reinforced concrete in Central Europe. All calculations followed ISO 14025 Environmental Product Declaration standards.
Source: Metsä Wood
Photo: Valokuvaaja