Cushman & Wakefield - Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) - Carbon Impact, Material Properties & Key Benefits

Sep 15, 2026

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is presented as an innovative engineered wood product made from multiple bonded layers of panels, used in both new construction and retrofit projects. The report outlines carbon impact benefits, highlighting lower embodied emissions versus Portland cement, material reusability, and no hazardous chemicals during recycling or incineration. It details strength characteristics, acoustics, seismic suitability, thermal performance, and fire-safety design up to 270°C. Additional sections cover health and wellbeing, compliance drivers, funding incentives, and commercial value such as faster construction and supply strength, while noting key commercial risks and sourcing requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Carbon Impact

Material Properties

Acoustics

Thermal Performance

Fire Safety

Additional Benefits

Health and Wellbeing

Compliance

Funding Incentives

Commercial Value

Faster Construction Times

Demand

Prefabricated (Modular) Construction

Key Benefits

Commercial Risk

GG Cross Laminated Timber-CLT-is an innovativeengineered wood product consisting of atleast three single layer panels that are bondedtogether.As aproduct it is being used in bothnew construction and retrofits as an adaptablecomponent of the global construction mix. # CARBON IMPACT WEIGHT lighter than concrete or brick The construction of CLT buildings is less carbonintensive.Every tonne of CLT locks in 1.6tonnes of CO²while Portland cement generatesabout 870kg of CO²emissions for every tonneproduced.Timber buildings can be designedso material can be reused(scrap wood can beused for example)at end of life.No hazardouschemicals are released during recycling orincineration of CLT. # MATERIAL PROPERTIES STRENGTH exceptionally strong-panels are gluedtogether in layers ofthree,CLT doesn'tbow or bend and hasintegral strength intwo directions 111111 ## ACOUSTICS SEISMICearthquake proofconstruction method Superior acousticscompared to studpartitioning,whichcould also result inadditional net internalarea being generatedor a reduction of thegross internal area # THERMALPERFORMANCE good thermal (insulating) performance properties FIRE SAFETY designed towithstand heats ofup to 270℃ but notefundamental fire risksmust be explicitlyadopted in the design # ADDITIONALBENEFITS ## HEALTH AND WELLBEING Research has demonstrated that exposedtimber interiors have a calming effect,promoting wellbeing and a better learningenvironment. ## COMPLIANCE Through the transition to a low carboneconomy different drivers are being usedto reduce carbon emissions associated withconstruction.Future drivers will includecarbon pricing,and carbon mitigationpolicies. ## FUNDING INCENTIVES Use of CLT could be eligible for tax rebatesand grants. Timber buildingsgenerally weigh 20%less than a concretebuilding(7Okg/m³compared to steel at160kg/m³and concreteat 300kg/m³)Less embodied carboncompared to concretebuildings 20% 50% 40%Less waste comparedto steel and concretebuildings # COMMERCIAL VALUE FASTER CONSTRUCTION TIMES STRONG SUPPLY Timber buildings can be 20%quicker to construct·160 billion m3 of standing fibre (trees)inbecause of their light weight and greater precisionEurope and Russia alone ·Less demand for workers on site·Majority of CLT producers are in Central ·Less sick leave from construction workersEurope.In 2019,the three biggest cross-reported compared to concrete projectslaminated timber producers had a total output ·Potential for earlier building occupancy/incomeof over 500,000 m³.stream. DEMAND PREFABRICATED(MODULAR)CONSTRUCTION·Since 2015 CLT consumption has increased by ·Quick and easy to assemblearound 15%a year,with over 50 installations in ·Ideal for projects with limited on-site storageEurope alone.capacity,for example in dense urban areas·Investment in CLT manufacturing technology is ·Less disruptive to the surrounding communityat an all-time high ·Used with any building material 1 多家2以S Source:Archpaper,2020,Cross Laminated Timberapartment complex rise in Boston # KEY BENEFITS COMMERCIAL RISK ·Lack of construction skills in the marketespecially regarding shorter time frames on siteRapid assembly andExceptionally strong, ·CLT must be sourced from renewable andconstruction on sitestiff and stablesustainably managed forests(i.e.FSC certified)helps to save time andto be identified in green building standardslower total costs ·Not all individual components are cheaper thanconcreteCONCRETE CLT 235mm RC slab210mm CLT floorE140/m² £150/m² 200mm RC core wall 160mm CLT core wallE200/m² £115/m² 350mm stud partition 140mm CLTf140/m²wall+plasterboard £140/m²performance in eventlower environmentalof firefootprintsTaken from Cost model:CLT frame buildings Cushman &Wakefield-Cross Laminated Timber LUCY MATCHETT Senior Strategy Consultant -SustainabilityReal Estate Strategy &InnovationTel:+31(0)02992126Mobile:+31(O)651801984Email:luc

FAQs

What is CLT and how is it used in construction?

CLT is an engineered wood product made of at least three single-layer panels bonded together. It is used in both new construction and retrofit projects as an adaptable component of the construction mix.

How does CLT compare to concrete in carbon impact?

The report states that every tonne of CLT locks in about 1.6 tonnes of CO², while Portland cement produces roughly 870 kg of CO² emissions per tonne produced. It also notes material reuse at end of life and no hazardous chemicals released during CLT recycling or incineration.

What fire and performance considerations are highlighted for CLT buildings?

CLT is designed to withstand heat up to 270°C, but fundamental fire risks must be explicitly addressed through the building design. The report also covers strength, acoustics, thermal insulating performance, and seismic-proof construction method claims.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery