Metsä Wood unveils new glue-laminated timber factory in Äänekoski

Metsä Wood’s new glue-laminated timber factory is marked by an almost eerie silence. On the occasion of the topping-out ceremony, about 200 builders wrapped up their work early. The expansive hall, primarily made of concrete, seems empty, yet its quietness is attributed to its glue-laminated structure and the use of engineered wood components, as explained by Jaakko Anttila, Metsä Wood’s Division Director.

Part of the Metsä Group, the company has invested over 1.6 billion euros in Äänekoski over the past nine years, with the most significant being the bioproduct factory completed in 2017. The newest investment in the 260-hectare factory area is a 300 million euro facility dedicated to producing beam and panel materials for the construction industry.

Construction on the factory began four years ago, but it won’t be operational for another two years. Anttila remains optimistic about the future, noting that demand for engineered wood continues to withstand the challenges currently facing the European construction market. “Market interest rates are gradually declining in both Europe and the U.S., which could lead to an increase in construction activity, further supporting demand for our products,” he stated.

The actual construction is halfway complete, with machinery installations set to begin in about a year, 95% of which are domestically produced. SRV, the construction company, has been working alongside Metsä Wood. Despite difficulties in construction, SRV’s CEO Saku Sipola highlighted a positive trend in the industrial sector in Finland, citing Metsä’s investment as a promising example.

Amid challenges, the construction sector is also grappling with carbon neutrality goals. Property and construction sectors account for roughly 40% of Europe’s carbon dioxide emissions when considering the entire lifecycle. Sipola emphasized that increasing the use of wood in building materials, rather than solely focusing on wooden structures, could yield quicker environmental benefits.