Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Metsä Wood has announced a major reduction in the carbon footprint of its Kerto® LVL products following the publication of an updated Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The revised declaration highlights a significant improvement in environmental performance and strengthens the company’s position in the low-carbon construction materials market.
The new EPD has been published on Environdec. It provides updated and verified environmental data for Kerto LVL products. The declaration is expected to support architects, engineers, contractors, and developers in making more informed sustainability decisions.
According to the updated figures, the carbon footprint of Kerto LVL under the GWP-fossil category for modules A1–A3 has fallen from 280 to 119 kg CO₂-eq/m³. This marks a reduction of approximately 57.5%.
The achievement reflects long-term operational improvements across Metsä Wood’s production and supply chain activities. The company stated that progress was driven by closer cooperation with subcontractors and raw material suppliers, combined with investments in fossil-free energy solutions.
The updated data also provides greater accuracy. Improved calculation methods were applied throughout the assessment process. Supplier-specific input data was refined to improve reliability and transparency.
All Metsä Wood mills now operate using fossil-free electricity. This change played a key role in lowering emissions linked to manufacturing processes. Further emission reductions were achieved through supply chain collaboration and enhanced environmental reporting practices.
Environmental Product Declarations are becoming increasingly important in the European construction industry. Regulatory requirements across the region continue to tighten. As a result, demand for transparent environmental data is growing rapidly.
An EPD is a standardised and independently verified document that outlines the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. Construction product EPDs are prepared in line with European standard EN 15804 and international standard ISO 14025.
These declarations provide measurable data on greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, and environmental impacts. They are widely used in climate assessments, green building certifications, and sustainable procurement processes.
Reliable EPD data is now considered essential in many large-scale building projects. Developers and design professionals increasingly rely on verified environmental information when selecting materials.
Metsä Wood stated that the revised EPD was developed through cross-functional collaboration involving sustainability, production, compliance, and supply chain experts. The process was designed to improve both accuracy and transparency.
Rosa Zabihian, Sustainability Manager at Metsä Wood, said the updated declaration reflects determined cooperation throughout the value chain.
She noted that close engagement with suppliers helped create more precise datasets. Investments in fossil-free electricity at manufacturing facilities also contributed to the lower carbon footprint results.
The revised declaration is expected to provide customers with more dependable data for climate impact calculations and environmental certification schemes.
Demand for engineered wood products continues to rise across Europe. Timber-based construction materials are increasingly viewed as a practical route towards reducing embodied carbon in buildings.
Laminated veneer lumber products such as Kerto LVL are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Their structural performance, lightweight properties, and resource efficiency make them attractive for modern building applications.
At the same time, the industry faces growing pressure to demonstrate measurable sustainability performance. Verified environmental reporting has therefore become a competitive advantage for manufacturers.
The publication of updated EPDs is also supporting wider decarbonisation efforts within the built environment sector. Accurate lifecycle data enables project teams to compare materials more effectively and assess long-term environmental impacts.
The construction industry accounts for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Material selection plays an important role in reducing those emissions. Transparent environmental documentation is therefore gaining strategic value across supply chains.
Metsä Wood’s latest announcement signals a broader industry shift towards data-driven sustainability practices. Companies are increasingly investing in cleaner energy, improved reporting systems, and supplier engagement to meet environmental targets.
The updated Kerto LVL EPD is expected to strengthen confidence among construction professionals seeking lower-carbon material options. It also aligns with Europe’s growing focus on sustainable building regulations and carbon reduction targets.
As environmental standards continue to evolve, verified product data will remain central to sustainable construction planning. Manufacturers capable of demonstrating measurable emission reductions are likely to gain stronger market positioning in the years ahead.
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Tags: Kerto LVL, low carbon construction, LVL carbon footprint, Metsä Wood, sustainable building materials, woodworking and processing, woodworking industry
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