Stora Enso, a sustainable materials company in Helsinki, Finland, believes that the future is in wood—a material that naturally offsets the energy used in its processing via carbon sequestering.

The company’s flagship Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) was just approved for use in the U.S.

It’s about time. CLT is a sustainable and energy efficient wood product made of layers of lumber that are adhered lengthwise (via pressure and environmentally friendly adhesive) into large sheets, which are then sandwiched together.

The result is an exceedingly strong, stiff, and stable product that can handle load transfer on all sides.

CLT offers enormous potential and opportunity. It can be made into load bearing posts and beams that can span vast distances; panels for walls, floors, and ceilings; innovative stair systems; and decorative architectural features.

It also offers improved thermal performance compared to conventional materials, natural sound insulation, and all the aesthetic advantages of real wood.

All of Stora Enso’s CLT is produced from spruce wood grown and harvested in a sustainable manner. It can be prefabricated for enhanced worksite safety and efficiency. It’s also relatively lightweight compared to concrete or steel.

See Stora Enso for additional information.