Kiilto and CLT Plant open a new chapter in the success story of Finnish wood construction
Kiilto and CLT Plant Oy have reached agreement on extensive cooperation related to the gluing process for cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction panel manufacturing. CLT panels are created from cross-glued layers of board, and are suitable for all construction purposes. The polyurethane adhesive supplied by Kiilto has been granted the M1 low-emission indoor air rating. Given the amount of indoor air problems that have come to public notice in recent years, there is growing interest in wood construction.
A new operator will join this thriving field this autumn, when the Finnish company CLT Plant Oy begins production of CLT panels in Kauhajoki, western Finland. The cooperation agreement between Kiilto and CLT Plant concerns the adhesives used in the cross-lamination process and an extensive service package. Kiilto is also actively involved in getting the plant up and running.
Kiilto’s business area director Tomi Takala is enthusiastic about the collaboration: “We will supply our expertise in a number of ways, including in training new plant staff, technical support for the ramp-up phase of the plant operations, and quality assurance for the gluing process.
Working together is mutually beneficial to Kiilto and CLT Plant. And for us, it’s also a big step towards our goal of becoming a significant player in the fast-developing wood construction field, as a partner in the gluing processes.”
Wood can improve indoor air quality
There are several benefits to using CLT panels. Thanks to its fire safety, strength and lightweight construction, CLT panels can be used as load-bearing and rigid structures for walls and floors alike. The properties of wood can also contribute to improving indoor air quality, as wood regulates the humidity of the air. In addition, the antibacterial properties of wood inhibit the growth of mould and bacteria.
CLT Plant’s managing director Petri Hyvönen is also confident about the prospects for the field: “Given how common indoor air problems are nowadays, the growing interest in wood construction is natural. In general, all the signs indicate that CLT will become more and more popular as awareness and supply increase”.
Demand for CLT panels in Finland is currently about 78,000 cubic metres a year. And there is plenty of room for growth, particularly in the construction of apartment buildings and public buildings. When CLT Plant’s new production facility is running at full capacity, it will produce about 50,000 cubic metres of CLT panels a year.
Holding it all together
The main product used in the gluing process is Kestopur G10, Kiilto’s single-component polyurethane adhesive. Kestopur G10 has been granted the M1 low-emission indoor air rating. The panels manufactured by CLT Plant are edge-glued, giving them a denser structure than other CLT panels. One benefit of edge gluing is that it reduces energy costs.
CLT Plant’s Petri Hyvönen sees several strengths in Kiilto as a partner, including security of supply and Finnish quality: “Kiilto is well known and valued as a partner for product development, amongst other things. And because it’s a Finnish company, being close together facilitates close cooperation between our companies, for example when it comes to carrying out various kinds of tests”.,
Kiilto’s business area director Tomi Takala (left) and CLT Plant’s managing director Petri Hyvönen get their collaboration off to a strong start with a firm handshake.
Further information:
Tomi Takala
Business Area Director
tomi.takala [at] kiilto.com
+358 50 382 9208
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