Decarbonization Avenue : Decarbonizing cement industry

Innovation Insights

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an alternative to cement and concrete

Emissions from cement industries are a major threat for the environment and companies are exploring various sustainable avenues for the same such as use of sustainable alternative raw materials, use of CO2 for curing, carbon capture techniques and more. 

While these technologies focus on alterations within the cement industry, a technology has emerged that completely replaces cement and concrete for building applications. Called cross laminated timber, the wood material is widely explored by construction companies in recent years. 

While timber has been long known for its use in furniture and other wood related materials, scientists say it could be a potential alternative to cement and concrete. 

To create CLT, lumber boards that have been trimmed and kiln-dried are glued atop one another in layers, crosswise, with the grain of each layer facing against the grain of the layer adjacent. Stacking boards together this way can create large slabs, up to a foot thick and as large as 18-feet-long by 98-feet-wide. 

Slabs of wood this large can match or exceed the performance of concrete and steel. CLT can be used to make floors, walls, ceilings — entire buildings.

Relevant for

  • Chemical engineer
  • Civil or construction engineer
  • Material sciences professional

Innovation sector

  • Material sciences

Web Resources

Case studies of cross laminated timber for buildings

01-01-2020

Source: Vaagen Brothers, Katerra

Website : Link

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Industry


Life cycle assessment of Katerra’s cross laminated timber and catalyst building

01-11-2019

Source: Katerra

Website : Link

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Industry


Comparison of economics and performance of concrete and CLT

01-06-2017

Source: Structulam Mass Timber Corporation

Website : Link

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Seattle Project Showcases Mass Timber’s Strengths

01-01-2021

Source: Wolff Co., Katerra

Website : Link

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Largest CLT affordable housing complex in the Netherlands

01-04-2021

Source: Powerhouse Company

Website : Link

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Domain

Sustainable materials

Type of innovation

Core sciences & engineering

Stakeholders

Corporate researcher

Solution provider

Industry

Cement