Driving the material transition in construction

Solving construction site challenges with high-performance timber

Construction professionals know the limitations of conventional solid wood. Moisture fluctuations cause swelling and shrinking, which create expensive consequences in large floor elements, roof panels and modular wall components. These issues lead to rework, tolerance failures and moisture‑related callbacks. Kerto LVL solves this by using a multilayer veneer structure engineered for precision. 

Manufactured from thin, cross bonded veneer layers, Kerto LVL delivers exceptional dimensional stability. Swelling, shrinking and warping are significantly reduced compared to solid wood. This provides critical advantages in:

• Prefabrication, where tight tolerances and consistent material behaviour keep production lines moving efficiently.
• Modular construction, where components must fit precisely across multiple assembly stages.
• On‑site installation, where fewer adjustments and fewer callbacks directly improve project margins.

The layered structure also produces an excellent strength‑to‑weight ratio. This allows slim cross‑sections and long spans without adding material or incurring the weight penalties associated with concrete or steel.

Material efficiency: Up to 90 percent less weight than reinforced concrete

For builders and developers, material weight is a key consideration. It has a direct impact on labor needs, equipment requirements and structural loading. The difference becomes clear when comparing typical floor systems:

• Kerto-Ripa floor element structure: approximately 34 kg/m²
• Reinforced concrete: approximately 675 kg/m²
• Weight reduction: 94 percent

On a 1,000 m² project, this equals roughly 641 metric tons less material. For contractors, the advantages include:

• Faster installation with lighter elements
• Reduced crane and lifting equipment requirements
• Shorter overall construction schedules
• Lower foundation and support load demands

For developers, material efficiency directly improves project economics. Using less material reduces procurement costs, faster assembly shortens construction timelines, and earlier completion enables revenue generation sooner.

The supply chain transparency builds competitive advantage

For architects and engineers, supply chain integrity is no longer optional. Material sourcing directly influences certifications, stakeholder confidence and long-term performance.

For developers pursuing green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM or DGNB, or those reporting under corporate ESG frameworks, transparent documentation of material origin, certification, and forest management practices strengthens project credibility. A reliable and verifiable supply chain becomes part of the project's competitive advantage.

Metsä Group delivers on this commitment. Across the company, 93 percent of the used wood is PEFC or FSC certified. This reflects validated compliance rather than promotional language. Eighty-four percent originates from Finland, where forest management is governed by some of the world's strictest regulations. For every harvested tree, four new ones are planted. Deadwood, habitat trees and ecologically sensitive areas remain protected under national requirements.

For material specifiers, such transparency supports predictable availability, consistent performance standards and auditable sustainability data. Supply chain integrity becomes a competitive advantage rather than a compliance burden.

Why this transition matters

Climate protection, biodiversity and economic efficiency do not conflict. They reinforce each other. Kerto LVL demonstrates how every cubic meter of wood can deliver more building performance, more usability and more structural quality.

The material transition in construction isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s happening now on sites across Europe. Architects specify it. Builders profit from it. Developers market it. Kerto LVL proves that engineered wood delivers what modern construction demands: reliable performance, sound economics, and authentic sustainability.

Benefits with Kerto LVL at a glance