Mass Timber
About Mass Timber
Mass timber is a growing construction material trend that uses engineered timber products like cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) to build tall, sustainable structures with reduced carbon footprint and faster assembly.
Trend Decomposition
Trigger: Increasing demand for low carbon construction materials and policies supporting sustainable building practices.
Behavior change: Developers and architects specify mass timber for mid to high rise buildings and prefer off site panelized assembly for faster construction.
Enabler: Advances in engineered timber technology, procurement ecosystems, and standardized building codes enabling taller mass timber structures.
Constraint removed: Availability of fire safe, code compliant mass timber products and established supply chains.
PESTLE Analysis
Political: Government sustainability mandates and green building incentives drive adoption of low carbon construction materials.
Economic: Lower lifecycle costs and faster construction reduce overall project risk and time to occupancy.
Social: Growing emphasis on healthy, carbon sequestering building materials aligns with consumer preferences for sustainable living environments.
Technological: Advances in engineered timber performance, connection systems, and manufacturing improve viability at scale.
Legal: Updated building codes and fire safety standards accommodate mass timber and ensure compliance.
Environmental: Lower embodied carbon and improved sustainability credentials compared to conventional concrete and steel.
Jobs to be done framework
What problem does this trend help solve?
Reducing construction carbon footprint while meeting demand for rapid, scalable building.What workaround existed before?
Reliance on concrete and steel with longer construction times and higher emissions.What outcome matters most?
Cost efficiency, speed to occupancy, and environmental performance.Consumer Trend canvas
Basic Need: Safe, sustainable, and efficient building materials.
Drivers of Change: Climate goals, urban density, and demand for rapid, modular construction.
Emerging Consumer Needs: Healthier interiors, lower embodied carbon, and transparent supply chains.
New Consumer Expectations: High performance buildings with reduced environmental impact and faster delivery.
Inspirations / Signals: Case studies of mass timber towers and public sector adoption.
Innovations Emerging: CLT/GLT manufacturing, fire safe connections, and modular panelization.
Companies to watch
- Structurlam - Canada based mass timber panels and structural solutions.
- SmartLam - North America’s first and largest mass timber panel producer.
- Freres Engineered Wood - US based mass timber products and engineered wood solutions.
- Metsä Wood - European producer of Kerto CLT and GLT products.
- Stora Enso - Global materials company offering mass timber products and solutions.
- Katerra - Systems based construction company with mass timber ambitions (note: corporate status has evolved over time).
- Forterra - Mass timber and engineered wood products provider in North America.
- Nordic Structures - Canadian mass timber supplier and engineered wood products producer.