As the construction industry seeks more sustainable solutions, mass timber technology is gaining attention, particularly in Wisconsin. This innovative approach could significantly impact the state’s forestry sector.
Mass timber involves reinforcing wood by creating cross-laminated timber (CLT) through layering panels, a technique described by Alex Anderson, a forest products specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as “essentially plywood on steroids.” This robust material is capable of supporting large structures such as skyscrapers and warehouses.
The demand for mass timber construction is on the rise. According to the Trellis Group, the number of mass timber projects in the U.S. has increased by 20 percent annually over the past decade.
Wisconsin has already embraced this trend with notable projects like the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire and Milwaukee’s Ascent, a 25-story apartment building recognized as the tallest mass timber building globally. The upcoming Edison project in Milwaukee is set to surpass this record.
Although Wisconsin’s forestry industry is a multibillion-dollar sector employing approximately 56,000 individuals, its mass timber growth has been sluggish. The U.S. primarily sources mass timber from southern yellow pine and Douglas fir, while Europe, with its advanced technology, remains a significant competitor.
“Because Europe is so far ahead technologically,” Anderson noted, “it was still cheaper in the Ascent building for them to ship panels all the way over from Austria … than to procure locally.”
Anderson emphasized the potential for Wisconsin manufacturers to become integral to the mass timber supply chain, viewing it as both a challenge and an opportunity.
Currently, Wisconsin boasts only one glue-lamination plant, Timber Technologies in Colfax, which employs around 30 people. Co-owner Dale Schiferl observes growing demand as construction companies increasingly seek renewable materials that sequester carbon.
Despite this demand, Schiferl notes that many architects and engineers still favor traditional materials like concrete and steel. “People are creatures of habit,” he explained.
Both Schiferl and Anderson believe expanding the market for CLT using Wisconsin’s red pine requires additional testing and development.
A recent report indicates that mass timber’s U.S. demand could grow, with Amazon and Sustainable Northwest exploring its use in warehouses, potentially influencing 10% of the market. Walmart has also made strides by establishing the largest U.S. mass timber project at its Arkansas headquarters.
As interest in mass timber increases, Anderson and Schiferl foresee new opportunities for Wisconsin’s market participation, which could benefit the state’s economy. Schiferl envisions a local production cycle involving Wisconsin landowners, loggers, trucking companies, and mills to create a self-sustaining industry.
However, achieving this vision requires significant investment, and the question remains, “If I build it, will they come?” Schiferl pondered, highlighting the uncertainty yet potential of this burgeoning market.
