Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Metsä Wood, one of the top producers of engineered wood products in Europe. With its significant benefits over conventional building materials like steel-reinforced concrete, Metsä Wood’s Kerto® LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) has a lower carbon footprint, according to a recent analysis by AFRY Management Consulting. This thorough comparison research demonstrates how the use of Kerto LVL, a wood-based product, in structural elements like walls and floors may significantly lower emissions from fossil fuels.
The report carefully compares the carbon footprint of Kerto LVL to that of conventional construction materials, focusing on primary structural elements such as load-bearing floors and walls. By excluding insulation and other non-structural materials, the study offers a clearer view of the climate benefits of Kerto LVL as a primary building material. The study’s findings emphasise how Kerto LVL’s material efficiency can lead to a dramatic reduction in environmental impact compared to steel-reinforced concrete. Two reputable research institutions, RISE and Ramboll, conducted a critical review of the findings, validating the results and providing an extra layer of credibility to the conclusions drawn from this study.
One of the standout findings from the study is the significant reduction in climate impact for floor structures using Kerto LVL. The comparison reveals that floors made from steel-reinforced concrete result in a fossil climate impact of 105 kg CO2e per square meter. In contrast, Kerto LVL floors, utilising Kerto-Ripa technology developed by Metsä Wood, result in just 29 kg CO2e per square meter, which is over 70% lower. This is a considerable reduction in carbon emissions, especially when considering that the material consumption for a Kerto LVL floor is only 34 kg per square meter, compared to 675 kg for steel-reinforced concrete. This represents a more than 90% reduction in material consumption, making Kerto LVL an ideal option for environmentally-conscious construction projects.
Hybrid wall structure with Kerto LVL reduces material use by over 80%
The benefits of using Kerto LVL extend to wall applications as well. When comparing the fossil climate impact of traditional concrete sandwich elements to hybrid wall elements incorporating Kerto LVL, the results are equally compelling. For a typical first-floor wall in an eight-story building, the study found that a wall using Kerto LVL had a fossil climate impact of 52 kg CO2e per square meter, while a conventional steel-reinforced concrete wall had a fossil climate impact of 68 kg CO2e per square meter. This represents a 20% reduction in climate impact over the entire lifecycle of the materials.
Moreover, Kerto LVL walls show an over 80% reduction in material consumption compared to steel-reinforced concrete, with the material consumption for Kerto LVL standing at 60 kg per square meter, compared to 463 kg for concrete. This further reinforces the message that Kerto LVL not only cuts emissions but also dramatically reduces the amount of raw materials needed in construction.
The importance of material choices
These findings underscore the critical role of material choices in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. Sustainability managers like Rosa Zabihian from Metsä Wood stress the importance of making informed design and material decisions early in the construction process. Such decisions can lead to significant environmental benefits, including lower carbon emissions and reduced material waste. For construction professionals, architects, and engineers, the climate benefits of Kerto LVL provide valuable opportunities to identify emission reduction strategies in projects. This approach is not only beneficial for the environment but also aligns with global trends toward sustainability in the building sector.
Metsä Wood: Vision and mission
Metsä Wood has long been dedicated to reducing the life cycle emissions of its products. The company continuously seeks innovative ways to integrate low-emission and material-efficient solutions into construction applications. By collaborating with other material suppliers and solution providers in the construction industry, Metsä Wood aims to drive the development of eco-friendly building materials that help reduce the overall environmental footprint of construction projects. Kerto LVL has already proven itself as a leading product in this effort. As the construction industry increasingly looks to reduce carbon emissions, adopting Kerto LVL technology can play a crucial role in moving toward more sustainable and responsible construction practices.
Key takeaways from the study
As construction continues to embrace sustainability, Kerto LVL provides a viable alternative to traditional materials, offering substantial climate benefits that can help meet global environmental goals.
The Kerto LVL product by Metsä Wood stands as a testament to how innovative wood-based solutions can reduce the carbon footprint in the construction industry. Through its material efficiency and lower emissions compared to steel-reinforced concrete, Kerto LVL is paving the way for sustainable building practices that benefit both the environment and the bottom line.
Read more news on: Metsä Wood, veneer, lumber, carbon footprint, fossil fuels, construction, engineered wood
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Tags: building material sustainability, carbon emissions, carbon footprint, concrete alternatives, eco-friendly construction, europe, Finland, fossil climate impact, Green Building Solutions, hybrid wall structure, Kerto LVL, Kerto LVL benefits, Kerto LVL climate impact, Kerto-Ripa technology, low-emission building materials, material efficiency, Metsä Wood, sustainable construction, sustainable floors, sweden
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