Minister of Employment and the Economy, Jyri Häkämies, sees the development of wood construction as part of green industry, which is enjoying strong global growth. ”The commercial prerequisites are being created for a concept of future construction, in which wood with its small carbon footprint can be a part of energy-efficient intelligent construction that utilises digital technology.
”The breakthrough for the construction of wooden apartment blocks can be achieved by implementing new projects that combine element production, intelligence and energy efficiency. Because this is a key part of the prerequisites for the internationalisation and export of the green economy, it must be invested in.” The aim of the wood construction programme in the government programme is to achieve a 10% market share in wooden apartment block construction, which means about 1,300 homes in such blocks every year. ”The government considers it important that new innovation and products are found for the forest industry that can make up for the jobs lost in the paper industry.”
In the government programme of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen’s government, a wood construction programme was agreed upon, the aim of which is the use of wood, the increase of wood construction and the creation of new wood business through innovations and new products. ”During last year, we made great progress and have achieved a great deal in relation to the wood construction objectives of the government programme,” says Häkämies about the results of the first year of government.
”Events about wood construction have filled halls all over the country. It has been estimated that currently about 3,000 homes in wooden apartment blocks are at the architectural design stage, and about the same number are at the project and planning stage. It is important that major national developers and building corporations are involved in these projects, as their involvement is vitally important from a perspective of the breakthrough of industrial wood construction.”
Häkämies does not see the government programme to promote wood construction as favouring one material, but as a part of development work for the forest industry. ”The government considers it important that new innovation and products are found for the forest industry that can make up for the jobs lost in the paper industry. Of course in this we are taking caring of the general position and future of the forest industry in Finland, and we hope that the worst of the structural changes is already behind us. This is an industry, which employs almost 200,000 Finns and whose products constitute about one-fifth of all Finnish export.”
Export possibilities for energy-efficient wood construction
Häkämies considers that the eco-system of the Finnish economy needs new players and sectors, which will boost the country’s economy in the future. As key trends for future success, Häkämies sees environmental business, energy efficiency and new innovations, the combining of which can spawn new business.
”The breakthrough for the construction of wooden apartment blocks can be achieved by implementing new projects that combine element production, intelligence and energy efficiency,” believes Häkämies. Because these are the prerequisites for internationalisation and export, they must be invested in. Wood construction must be seen as part of green industry, which is enjoying strong global growth. What could be a greener industry than wood construction, which utilises renewable domestic raw materials?” asks Häkämies. ”Wood, which has a small carbon footprint, can be combined with energy-efficient, intelligent construction that makes use of digital technology. The commercial conditions must be created for this future construction concept.”
The aim of the wood construction programme in the government programme is to achieve a 10% market share in wooden apartment block construction, which means about 1,300 homes in such blocks every year. ”On this basis, domestic projects must be implemented, which can then be adapted for export. Firstly, expertise, competitiveness and references must be developed on the domestic market. Then, export opportunities must be sought, perhaps in the nearby St Petersburg region of Russia or in China, through which we can continue to construct in an eco- and energy-efficient way using renewable materials,” says Häkämies.
According to Häkämies, wood construction should be viewed as part of value chains internationalising construction, product solutions and services. And while we are targeting growth, at the same time we should also try to find operating models for internationalisation. ”The government can promote the acceptability of the use of wood abroad and boost exports in co-operation with companies.”
Major opportunities for wood construction in repair and renovation
Most of Finland’s suburban apartment blocks were built in the 1960s and 70s and, of those, about 570,000 apartments are in need of repair and renovation. It is estimated that if all these buildings were renovated to meet modern-day energy requirements, the business would be worth more than €30 billion. If one additional wooden storey were built on the roofs of each suburban apartment block, this would mean a total contract worth about €25 billion. The energy efficiency regulations concerning Finland’s existing building stock will enter into force in 2013.
”Repair and renovation work needs energy-efficient technical applications,” says Häkämies. Discussions, which have been held this spring with key Finnish developers, builders and municipal decision-makers and planners have revealed that suburban redevelopment is a topical and interesting issue as far as wood construction is concerned. We already have good references where wood has been used successfully in redevelopment projects. Opportunities for export may also exist in this work. In Finland, the suburban repair and renovation market for the wood sector may be promoted through, for example, ARA (The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland) policies and incentives.”
Wood construction progressing through ecological thinking
Häkämies says that environmental issues in particular are promoting the popularity of wood construction with local government decision-makers and planners. Studies show that, through wood construction, it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions. ”In Europe ecological thinking is strengthening, and this discussion is taking wood construction forward. People feel that they themselves can implement ecological solutions in their homes, and thereby promote sustainable development. Wood is valued as an ecological and living material. In Finland, we can create an international brand for Finnish wood architecture and design, which combines environmentally-aware and energy-efficient construction,” suggests Häkämies.
Puuinfo article service/Markku Laukkanen
More information: Markku Karjalainen, wood construction programme, +358 (0)40 5832127, markku.karjalainen@tem.fi
