immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Holz

  • Wooden computer mouse

    Wooden computer mouse

    Printed circuit boards are the invisible backbone of electronics. Until now, they have mostly been based on fossil plastics. Their conventional production uses glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. A petroleum-based material that is almost impossible to recycle at the end of its life cycle and requires costly disposal. This recycling problem is becoming increasingly urgent in view of the growing quantities of electronic waste.

    Empa’s “Cellulose and Wood Materials” laboratory has therefore developed a carrier material based on wood that can be completely biodegraded. Under the leadership of Thomas Geiger, the team in the EU project HyPELignum developed a technology in which lignocellulose – a previously underutilized by-product of wood processing – is transformed into a robust, functional board.

    Closing the loop between function and cycle
    At its core, the new material consists of a mixture of cellulose fibrils and lignin. Finely tuned mechanical processes create a stable mesh that hardens in a “hornified” board. The printed circuit boards made from this material can be printed with conductor tracks and fitted with electronic components.

    Moisture resistance remains the key challenge. This is because it is precisely the material’s openness to water that makes it biodegradable at the end of its life. A conflict of objectives that the Empa team wants to resolve even better in future. In their first experiment, they have already succeeded in building a fully functional computer mouse and other devices. After use, these could be composted under suitable conditions and valuable metals and components simply recovered.

    From research to practice
    The developers at the Empa laboratory are working closely with companies such as Profactor to transform the new circuit boards into products ready for series production. The potential for industry is huge. Especially in the case of short-lived electronic items, this creates a solution that conserves resources, reduces disposal costs and minimizes the ecological footprint.

    The HyPELignum project also emphasizes sustainable overall strategies. The focus is not only on raw materials and production, but also on life cycle analyses and industrial partnerships. With demonstration devices and planned industrial scaling, the aim is to make the leap from laboratory solution to market-ready product by 2026.

  • Merger in timber construction secures jobs and expertise

    Merger in timber construction secures jobs and expertise

    The timber construction company Blumer Lehmann, based in the St.GallenBodenseeArea, has announced the takeover of Hächler Holzbau, as detailed in a press release. From 1 April 2025, Hächler customers will be served from the company’s headquarters in Gossau. All existing and new orders will be processed in the existing workshops. These will remain at the Neuenhof site.

    The takeover is intended to bundle the “first-class timber construction expertise” of both companies “into an impressively diverse range of services for sustainable timber construction solutions”, according to the statement. The focus is on classic timber constructions and prefabricated timber construction projects.

    With this step, a successful successor solution has also been found for Hächler’s timber construction division, the Wettingen-based Hächler Group announced in a separate press release. A solution for his succession had been worked on together with Managing Director Günter Ebner for some time. “The focus was on the secure future of our employees and maintaining our long-standing customer relationships.”

    According to the company, Blumer Lehmann specialises in solutions for the timber industry and in timber and silo construction. 500 employees at four locations provide craftsmanship services for a wide range of customer projects worldwide.

    Hächler Holzbau realises “small jobs and complex construction projects” using wood. According to the company, all employees will be taken on. Vocational training will also be continued.

  • How wood can be better utilised

    How wood can be better utilised

    Switzerland is aiming for net zero by 2050. Wood plays a key role in this endeavour. It binds CO₂ from the atmosphere, is versatile and offers sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. But how much wood is actually available for construction, industry or energy generation? Researchers from Empa and WSL have provided the answers by analysing the material flows of wood in Switzerland in detail for the first time as part of the SCENE project.

    For their analysis, the researchers used data from 21 different sources for the year 2020, from wood harvesting to disposal. “In contrast to other studies, which often only use modelled values, we were able to draw on real data,” explains Nadia Malinverno from Empa. The effort paid off, as the study provides a precise picture of the entire wood flow in Switzerland.

    Recycling potential and the correct use of wood
    Only eight per cent of wood is currently recycled, compared to around 70 per cent for paper. In addition, 40 per cent of the wood harvested each year is used directly as fuel. “This is not ideal from an ecological point of view,” emphasises Claudia Som, co-author of the study. In order for wood to fulfil its role as a CO₂ store, it should be used as a material for as long as possible.

    The researchers’ vision is cascade utilisation
    Here, wood is first processed into durable products such as beams and boards that remain in the construction industry for as long as possible. Only after repeated use is the wood further processed into wood chips or fibres before it is finally burned. “Wood should only be used as an energy source when it is no longer usable as a material,” explains Som.

    The path to sustainable wood flows
    As part of the SCENE project, the researchers want to investigate more closely in future which uses of wood make the most ecological and economic sense. They are focussing on specific material flows. In what form is the wood available? How is it processed? Where is there potential for optimisation?

    “The sustainable use of wood is a key component of the energy transition,” says Malinverno. “Our work shows that Switzerland still has many untapped opportunities here, both in terms of climate protection and resource efficiency.”

  • New findings on the stiffness of timber structures

    New findings on the stiffness of timber structures

    Timber buildings are experiencing an upswing in Switzerland. With their sustainability and aesthetics, they are becoming increasingly popular, even for multi-storey buildings. But how can it be ensured that these structures can withstand the forces of wind and earthquakes? This is a question that occupies building researchers, especially when planning timber buildings up to 75 metres high. This is because the right bracing and supporting structures must be in place to ensure that timber buildings remain stable even under extreme conditions.

    Research in this field has made considerable progress in recent years. One particularly exciting tool is the shaker, a two-tonne device that is used in Empa’s largest laboratory in Dübendorf. The shaker simulates earthquakes and strong winds by causing building models to vibrate. In this way, the vibration behaviour of the buildings is examined under real conditions and the models for calculating stiffness are refined.

    The shaker in action
    For the open day on 14 September 2024, the shaker will be demonstrated in Empa’s construction hall in Dübendorf. This is not just about scientific research – visitors will get a direct insight into the work of the engineers. René Steiger, Pedro Palma and Robert Widmann, structural engineers at Empa, will give an impressive demonstration of how the shaker causes a structural model to vibrate, thereby analysing the behaviour of the weight and stiffness distribution.

    This research is of great importance, as ever taller timber buildings are being erected in Switzerland. While most buildings remain in the 4- to 5-storey range, projects with more than 20 storeys demonstrate the potential of timber as a building material. However, ensuring the stability of such buildings requires precise calculations and practical tests such as those carried out with the Shaker.

    Complex requirements for timber construction
    The challenge with multi-storey timber buildings lies not only in the load-bearing capacity of the walls, but also in the balance between rigidity and flexibility. Whilst thicker components and additional load-bearing walls are often seen as a solution, they can lead to increased costs. Sometimes it is even more favourable if a structure reacts flexibly to earthquake shocks to a certain degree. These nuances must be taken into account in the computer calculations, and this is precisely where the shaker provides valuable data from practice.

    The experiments in the construction hall and on real buildings, such as in Oberglatt in the canton of Zurich, show how the supporting structure gains rigidity during various construction phases. For example, the researchers were able to observe exactly how the load-bearing capacity of the buildings changed when load-bearing walls, non-load-bearing walls and windows were installed.

    Practical data for planners and architects
    For a long time, planners relied on mathematical approximations to determine the dynamic properties of timber structures. These values were often based on tests from Japan and North America, but due to different building regulations and requirements, they are not readily transferable to Switzerland. This is where the work of the Empa researchers comes in: The shaker and the measurements on real buildings provide precise data on stiffness and damping that is specifically tailored to local building requirements.

    This provides construction engineers and architects with reliable information to optimise their planning and use wood as a material efficiently and sustainably. The knowledge gained will help to further develop standards and guidelines and strengthen timber construction as a competitive solution for multi-storey buildings.

    Wood as a building material of the future
    Empa’s research results show that wood has enormous potential as a building material for multi-storey buildings. The use of the shaker provides construction engineers and architects with practical data that makes it possible to design timber buildings more safely and efficiently. By combining modern technology and scientific expertise, Empa is making a decisive contribution to advancing timber construction in Switzerland and establishing it as a sustainable alternative in the construction industry.

  • The versatile world of wood

    The versatile world of wood

    Utilisation of the wood
    After a certain time, the tree reaches its growth limit. This is the perfect time to fell the tree – it is ready for harvesting. Depending on the tree species, the time until it is ready for harvesting varies between 60 and 150 years. Until then, the tree has had enough time to reproduce through seeds in the gaps in the forest. The plants in the young forest that are best adapted to the local climatic conditions prevail. In this way, the forest remains healthy thanks to natural selection. During thinning, desirable and well-grown trees are left standing as future trees. The abundance of light in the gaps created by felled trees allows a variety of shrubs and annual plants to colonise the ground – increasing biodiversity in a forest managed in this way.

    The majestic forest of Switzerland
    Around a third of Switzerland’s total land area is covered by protected forest. This forest provides protection against natural disasters, is a habitat for animals and plants, a place for recreation and leisure and a source of wood. Sustainability is a fundamental principle that requires the forest to fulfil all these functions in the long term without harvesting more wood than grows back. Enough wood grows in the Swiss forest every ten minutes to build a detached house. Around 60% of Swiss forests consist of conifers and 40% of deciduous trees. A large proportion of the wood felled is processed into sawn timber and planed products, while 10% is used for the production of paper and wood-based panels. A quarter is used directly as firewood. Around 10 million cubic metres of wood grow in Switzerland every year, only half of which is used. Wood is a durable material that regrows itself and plays an important role in the ecological balance. It is therefore sensible and advisable to use our own wood.

    Characteristics of wood
    Wood is a light yet strong material that can bear fourteen times more weight in relation to its weight than steel. Due to its natural cell structure, the static properties of wood are directional. Wood is most resistant along the grain, as it can withstand a hundred times higher tensile forces and four times higher compressive forces in this direction than across the grain. Understanding these static properties is of crucial importance when building with wood. In addition, the warm and pleasant feel of wood gives rooms a special atmosphere. The wood fibres in the installed wood constantly react to the air humidity and thus contribute to a balanced room climate.

    Variety of wood species – differences in the forest and in the home
    Not all woods are identical. The characteristics and appearance of wood vary depending on the tree species – there is a wide range from light to heavy, soft to hard and light to dark. Each type of wood therefore has specific properties that are suitable for different purposes. For example, the heartwood of sweet chestnut or oak, which is preserved with natural tanning agents, is particularly suitable for outdoor use, while long-fibre ash is used for parts subject to heavy wear. Fine-fibre woods such as beech or maple are used in furniture production. Promoting different tree species by using different types of wood helps to increase biodiversity. Each tree grows individually, so its wood may have more or fewer knots, wider or narrower annual rings, be slightly lighter or darker in colour and grow crooked or straight. Each tree trunk and section is utilised according to its qualities. Selected logs of high quality are processed in sawmills into a variety of sawn products such as beams, boards, laths, posts and glulam. Timber that is crooked and knotty or small diameter logs are converted into chipboard and fibreboard in panel mills. The best qualities are processed into veneer. From both an ecological and an economic point of view, it is crucial to determine the appropriate quality for the respective area of application in advance with the supplier.

    Wood-based materials
    The large formats of wood-based materials have made an important contribution to the development of modern timber construction. The production of wood-based materials follows a simple principle: the wood is chopped into boards, chips or fibres and then shaped into a new form with the help of glue. This results in products with standardised properties in a fixed thickness and size. Wood-based materials therefore offer added value and open up a wide range of design possibilities with wood. As a cost-effective building material for everyday use, wood-based materials are indispensable and are available in a wide range from timber merchants and DIY stores.

  • Award for innovative circular economy in the construction industry

    Award for innovative circular economy in the construction industry

    Researchers from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts(HSLU) have won the Sustainability Challenge organised by the German Sustainable Building Council(DGNB) together with the Technical University of Munich(TUM). According to a press release, the circularWOOD project was awarded first place in the research category. Sonja Geier, Deputy Head of the Competence Center Typology & Planning in Architecture(CCTP) at HSLU, and Sandra Schuster from TUM accepted the award in Stuttgart on 18 June 2024 as part of the DGNB’s Sustainability Day.

    The CO2-neutral and ecologically high-quality raw material wood is becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry The circularWOOD research project aims to introduce this important raw material into a circular economy. “Today, wood does not remain part of the material cycle long enough,” Sonja Geier is quoted as saying in the press release. According to the press release, circular construction with the CO2-neutral building material wood will make an important contribution to achieving climate protection goals.

  • Federal Council supports price recommendations for Swiss timber

    Federal Council supports price recommendations for Swiss timber

    Initiative 21.463 “Price recommendations also for wood from Swiss forests” is intended to offer the approximately 250,000 Swiss forest owners better guidance on the market. The possibility of agreeing guide prices, similar to those in agriculture, allows forest owners to better align their sales prices with market conditions. This contributes to stability and transparency on the timber market and supports the sustainable management of forests.

    Positive effects of price recommendations
    The Federal Council sees the introduction of price recommendations as an important step towards promoting the forestry and timber industry. The publication of these recommendations is intended to support more market-oriented behaviour on the part of those involved. This leads to indirect positive effects, as the sale of timber makes a significant contribution to the financing of forest management and maintenance. As a result, all functions of the forest, including its ecological and social services, are better ensured.

    Independent implementation by sector organisations
    The implementation of the price recommendations should be carried out independently by the forestry and timber sector organisations. The Federal Council emphasises that the proposed regulation in the WaG does not constitute an unlawful elimination of competition under antitrust law. Individual companies are not obliged to comply with the recommended prices, and no price recommendations are set for consumer prices. This ensures that competition remains fair and that the price recommendations merely serve as a guide.

    By supporting the parliamentary initiative, the Federal Council is sending out a signal in favour of strengthening the Swiss forestry industry. The introduction of price recommendations for raw timber is intended to increase market transparency, secure the financial basis for sustainable forest management and thus maintain the diverse functions of the forest in the long term.

  • Cycle and protection of wood as a natural building material

    Cycle and protection of wood as a natural building material

    Wood, people and nature in the cycle
    The natural cycle knows no waste. Dead trees are decomposed by fungi, microorganisms and insects. Heat and a wood moisture content of over 20% accelerate this process. If these factors are missing, decomposition can take centuries. Egyptian burial objects made of wood have survived for 3500 years, as have many wooden houses in Switzerland that are hundreds of years old. One example of an old wooden building in Europe is the 800-year-old Nideröst House from Schwyz, the core of which dates back to 1176.
    Preventive wood preservation
    To protect wood from pests and fungi, it is crucial to keep the wood moisture content below 20% and keep it dry. Constructive wood preservation allows wood to be used in humid environments by allowing it to dry quickly after it has become wet. Protection starts at the planning stage by taking measures against the effects of moisture. Canopies and well-executed plinth areas effectively protect against moisture, and precise details on windows and balconies are essential for long-term durability.

    Natural resistance vs. chemical protection
    In the event of increased stress, you can opt for a type of wood with natural resistance. The heartwood, which is preserved with natural substances, is more durable than the sapwood, which is enriched with sugar and nutrients. There are transparent to opaque protective coatings, which are particularly necessary for exterior components such as windows. In protected areas and interiors with a wood moisture content of less than 20%, chemical wood protection is not necessary. However, if the moisture load exceeds the natural resistance and no constructive solutions are available, the use of chemical wood preservatives remains as a last resort. Nowadays, coloured pressure impregnations without chromium are an environmentally friendly solution for chemical wood protection.

    Changing the molecular structure
    The aim of processing wood is to change the molecular structure of the material in such a way that it becomes more difficult for microorganisms and insects to break down the wood. Water absorption is also reduced. Thermowood is produced by intensive heating at temperatures between 170°C and 250°C over a period of 24 to 48 hours. Acetylated wood is produced by pressure impregnation with acetic anhydride, while furfurylated wood is produced by furfuryl alcohol. Thermowood has a smoky odour after production, whereas acetylated wood smells of acetic acid. Modified wood has altered static, optical and hygroscopic properties.

    Façades as a protective shield
    The outer shell of a building, also known as a façade, is not only used for decoration, but above all for protection. Depending on the location and orientation of the building, the façade is exposed to various weather influences. A professionally installed façade protects the building structure from damage caused by mechanical influences and moisture, drains water and thus ensures that the wooden parts dry quickly. Ventilated façades also promote the drying of the façade cladding and the load-bearing structure.

    Pre-greying process
    UV radiation and free radicals decompose lignin and cellulose in the wood, resulting in lignin being washed out and light-coloured cellulose remaining visible. A microscopic film of grey fungi forms on weathered façades, leading to uneven grey colouring. For this reason, façades are often pre-greyed to ensure a uniform grey colour.

    Treatments for wooden façades
    Pre-greying treatments have proven to be an effective method of matching directly weathered façades to the aged colour from the outset. This bridges the large colour differences during the ageing process of untreated surfaces. There are different variants of pre-greying treatments with different properties. In particularly protected and highly exposed areas, pre-greying treatments tend to turn brown again over time.

    Natural wood façade ageing
    In natural pre-greying, the façade parts are placed horizontally in the sun and exposed to rain. Specialised manufacturers accelerate this process with the help of additional enzymes. This process takes around six months.

    From glazes to Swedish colours
    The use of glazes is one of the semi-transparent wood treatments. If they do not form a closed layer, they are considered non-film-forming. Paints belong to the opaque treatments. Varnishes are particularly closed to diffusion, while Swedish colours are considered to be particularly open to diffusion. To ensure a good bond between the surface treatment and the wood surface, the application should be carried out mechanically in the factory. Façade formwork with a rough-sawn or textured surface is therefore particularly suitable. Pressure impregnation with added colour is also a semi-transparent treatment and does not form a film. Colourless technical treatments such as additional hydrophobisation as a finish, impregnation or UV protection treatment can further extend the maintenance periods and serviceability.

    Long-term protection
    It is important to maintain painted wooden façades regularly to ensure their longevity. Maintenance instructions from a specialist are extremely helpful. The intervals for maintenance depend on various factors such as the product used, the wood protection, the location and the environment.

    Variety of timber house façades
    Not every timber house reveals from the outside whether it is actually made of wood or not. All architectural design forms are conceivable in the field of timber construction. In addition to wood, the façades of timber buildings can also be clad with glass, metal, plastered cement panels or plastered thermal insulation composite systems. Combinations of materials can have a particularly aesthetic effect in timber construction.

  • Hybrid construction methods using wood, concrete and steel

    Hybrid construction methods using wood, concrete and steel

    Integration and connection technologies
    A significant challenge in hybrid constructions lies in the integration of different materials. When joining wood and concrete, special fasteners must be used to take into account the different properties of the materials, such as the moisture sensitivity of wood.

    Developing an understanding of mixed-structure components
    Hybrid components combine two or more materials that are carefully selected for their specific properties. An example of this is the combination of concrete, which can absorb compressive forces, and steel, which is responsible for tensile forces. This combination results in innovative constructions that could not be realised with the individual materials alone.

    Applications in the field of prefabricated components
    In the field of prefabricated construction, hybrid construction methods are used in particular for the production of large and heavy components. Here, the components are first manufactured separately and later joined together to form a complete unit. This approach enables a more flexible design and simplifies transport and assembly.

    Revolutionary combinations for ceilings
    Innovative ceiling constructions with a sandwich cross-section use hybrid technologies to produce robust yet lightweight components. This advanced technology allows the integration of installation systems and contributes to the energy efficiency of the building.

    Combining wood and concrete
    The combination of wood and concrete in ceiling structures offers the opportunity to combine the strengths of both materials and compensate for their weaknesses. Wood can take on the load-bearing role, while concrete is used for sound insulation and the integration of heating or cooling systems.

    Innovative advances in the future
    The further development of hybrid construction methods strives to enable more efficient, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly construction techniques. This includes improved manufacturing processes, increasing load-bearing capacity and speeding up the construction process. Overall, hybrid construction represents a forward-thinking approach to construction that combines the benefits of different materials to create efficient, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing structures.

  • From ancient origins to modern architecture

    From ancient origins to modern architecture

    1. Development in Europe
      Wood was a popular building material in Europe until modern times. Construction methods evolved from log to post and beam buildings, with the latter being particularly favoured in areas with few forests. However, these post-and-beam buildings, which required less wood and used flexible filling materials such as clay, had a limited lifespan due to moisture.
    2. Revolution through half-timbered construction
      Half-timbered construction, which became established in the northern Alpine regions from the 12th century onwards, brought about a revolution in construction technology. This construction method allowed for more durable structures through the use of posts and struts, which reduced moisture damage and enabled the construction of multi-storey buildings. Timber-framed buildings are characterised by their decorative façades and technical sophistication.
    3. East Asian timber construction
      In contrast to European timber construction, traditional East Asian timber construction is mainly a skeleton construction characterised by its complex roof structures. In this building style, it is not the walls but the roof structures that bear the main load, resulting in a unique spatial effect and earthquake resistance.
    4. Influence of industrialisation
      With the onset of industrialisation in Europe in the 19th century, traditional timber construction began to be replaced by masonry and reinforced concrete. Nevertheless, timber was revitalised and further developed through innovations such as glued timber beams and new construction techniques.
    5. Renaissance of timber construction in the 21st century
      Since the start of the new millennium, timber construction has experienced a rebirth, driven by ecological benefits and technical innovations. Modern construction methods include hybrid structures made of timber, concrete and steel. These developments have led to the diverse and energy-efficient use of timber in architecture.
    6. The future of timber construction
      Timber construction has not only changed in terms of construction methods, but also in terms of perception. From traditional methods to digital production and BIM, timber is now a highly modern, versatile building material. With increasing acceptance in building legislation and continuous technical innovation, timber remains a central element of modern architecture.

    Wood as a building material has deep historical roots dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. How influential was wood in the construction of pile dwellings in the Lake Constance region and eastern Switzerland back then? What fascinating insights do these early wooden structures offer us? They arose from the need to clear forests for farmland. And so they not only enabled the colonisation of areas near the lake, but also created protection and new transport routes. An astonishing testimony to times gone by that still impresses us today.

  • Ein nachhaltiger Holz-Hybrid Bau mit einem «Herz aus Holz»

    Ein nachhaltiger Holz-Hybrid Bau mit einem «Herz aus Holz»

    «Ein Herz aus Holz»
    Das Projekt wird als fünfgeschossiger Sockelbau und einem Hochhaus mit einem Atrium – dem «Herz aus Holz» – realisiert. Auf den Dachflächen wie auch auf Teilbereichen der Fassade sind Photovoltaik-Module für die Stromproduktion vorgesehen. Die gesamte Wärme- und Kälteversorgung erfolgt mittels eines Anschlusses an die Fernwärme «Wärmeverbund Seetalplatz». Das Projekt strebt die Zertifizierung mit den Nachhaltigkeitslabeln SNBS Gold und Minergie-P-ECO an. Für den Holz-Hybridbau und die vorgefertigten Fassadenelemente werden ca. 1420 m3 Holz verarbeitet – v.a. Fichte und Tanne. Der Holzbau trägt dabei nicht nur zum angenehmen Innenklima bei, sondern reduziert auch die CO2-Bilanz der Erstellung des Gebäudes. Die fixfertige Vorfabrikation der Fassadenelemente aus Holz in geschützten Werkhallen stellt zudem die Qualität sicher und ermöglicht eine schnellere Fertigstellung der Gebäudehülle.

    Der Kanton Luzern verfolgt eine Vorreiterrolle bei der Umsetzung der Klimaziele, wie auch Losinger Marazzi. Die Immobilienentwicklerin und Totalunternehmung hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, ihre CO2-Emmissionen bis ins Jahr 2030 um 30 % im Vergleich zu 2021 zu reduzieren. Dieses Ziel erreicht Losinger Marazzi indem neben einem verstärkten Fokus auf Holzbau- sowie Stadterneuerungsprojekte die Nachhaltigkeit in allen Projekten als zentrales Thema behandelt wird.

    Heute ist die kantonale Verwaltung auf über 30 verschiedenen Standorten verteilt. Durch den Neubau werden im Jahr 2026 rund 1500 Angestellte unter einem Dach zusammengeführt und somit eine zentrale Anlauf-, Auskunfts- und Beratungsstelle im neuen Stadtteil Luzern Nord erschaffen, die mit allen Verkehrsmitteln bestens erschlossen ist. Zudem werden sich in den unteren Geschossen des Gebäudekomplexes die öffentlichkeitswirksamen Dienststellen, ein Polizeiposten, Gastronomie und Läden verteilen. Eine Kita im 6. OG sowie Wohnungen in den obersten Geschossen werden zum belebenden Nutzungsmix beitragen.

  • Environment, costs and aesthetics: a comparison of concrete and wood

    Environment, costs and aesthetics: a comparison of concrete and wood

    Pro wood: the sustainability and warmth of wood
    Wood, a natural and regenerative material, has been used in construction for thousands of years and is currently experiencing a revival in modern architecture, particularly in the area of sustainability and environmental protection. As it grows, wood binds CO2, which can help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and thus counteract climate change. In addition, wood offers a warm and inviting aesthetic that is appreciated in many design concepts.

    Pro concrete: robustness and durability
    Concrete, a mixture of cement, water, sand and rock, is characterized by its remarkable strength and durability. It is highly resistant to fire, water and pests, making it a popular building material for a wide variety of structures such as high-rise buildings and bridges. In addition, concrete has excellent sound-absorbing properties and can be shaped into any desired form, which underlines its versatility.

    Contra wood: Wood used in construction is more susceptible to fire, pests and moisture. Special measures are therefore required to protect and maintain it.

    Contra concrete : The production of concrete is very energy intensive and results in a significant amount of CO2 emissions, which raises concerns about its environmental impact.

    The decision between concrete and wood depends on several factors, including the specific requirements of the project, environmental impact, cost and desired aesthetics. Concrete is prized for its strength and durability, while timber offers benefits in terms of sustainability, carbon footprint and natural beauty. Careful consideration of these characteristics is critical to making an informed decision that meets both the short-term needs of the project and the long-term goals of sustainability and environmental protection.

  • Green cities as trailblazers for global climate impact

    Green cities as trailblazers for global climate impact

    The MCC study, published in the journal Nature Cities, highlights four key methods of CO2 removal in urban environments that could sequester one gigatonne of CO2 annually by the middle of the century. The methods analysed include adding biochar to cement, increasing the use of wood in construction, enriching urban soils with biochar and installing CO2 filters in commercial buildings. Together, these approaches could make a significant contribution to achieving net-zero urban emissions.

    Urban strategies for the climate and more
    Quirina Rodriguez Mendez, PhD student at the MCC and lead author of the study, emphasises that these techniques are of great benefit not only in terms of climate protection, but also for environmental quality and well-being in cities. For example, the use of special colour pigments and surface materials to improve the reflectivity of urban surfaces could significantly lower the temperature in cities and reduce the energy required for air conditioning systems.

    Local actions with a global impact
    The study emphasises the role of cities as “test laboratories” for climate protection, where local measures can be implemented quickly and potentially scaled up globally. Felix Creutzig, head of the MCC working group and co-author of the study, emphasises that local climate solutions, although often underestimated, can have an impressive impact and improve quality of life. The research findings offer important insights and recommendations for policymakers shaping urban infrastructure and policies.

  • Winners of the Bern Upcycling Challenge have been chosen

    Winners of the Bern Upcycling Challenge have been chosen

    The winners of the first Bern Upcycling Challenge have been announced: Scrimber, Mymyio and Second Life Recharger. The prize from the Department of Economics at Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Berner Kantonalbank development fund is worth a total of CHF 30,000. It was awarded at the 2nd User Forum in Bern.

    According to a press release, the competition aims to stimulate the transformation to a circular economy in the region and make an active contribution to the sustainable reorganisation of companies. At the same time, the aim is to position the greater Bern region as an important location for the circular economy.

    The jury voted the Scrimber project into first place. Its high-quality load-bearing construction products made of wood can replace concrete and steel and thus CO2 emissions in the construction industry. The wooden panels are made from low-grade wood assortments such as smaller, irregular log cross-sections or side timber from sawmills and waste wood. After an initial utilisation phase in a building, the parts can be reused.

    Second place went to Mymyio‘s upcycling furniture, which is made from discarded office materials, although this is not recognisable. Mymyio can even offer customised product and project solutions from stocks of valuable raw materials.

    In third place was the Second Life Battery Recharger project, a system that allows old e-bike batteries to be reused. It was developed by the training and adventure platform Swiss Bike Park Oberried, together with partners such as Gustoil, Petrusso, Thömus, Twinner, Stromer and the GVB Kulturstiftung.

  • Birstal heating network installs wood-fired boiler

    Birstal heating network installs wood-fired boiler

    The sustainable Birstal heating network has taken another step forward with the installation of the first wood-fired boilers. According to a press release, the project initiated by Primeo Energie from Münchenstein and uptownBasel has expanded the heating system on the uptownBasel site with the installation of the boilers. A heat pump is to be installed at a later stage. The wood-fired boilers are two biomass boilers with outputs of 8 and 11 megawatts. According to the press release, modern filter systems and technologies should lead to the lowest possible exhaust gas values. At a later date, the heating centre is expected to deliver an output of 40 megawatts, making it the largest plant operated by Primeo Energie in Switzerland.

    The Birstal heating network consists of 25 heating plants and networks in Reinach, Arlesheim and Münchenstein. It is increasingly being converted to renewable energies. Part of the energy source will be waste heat from the uptownBasel area in Arlesheim, while biomass and wood from regional cultivation will also be burnt in cold seasons or during peak loads.

    With the new energy centre and the Birstal heating network, Primeo Energie aims to make a contribution to the energy transition and to a sustainable heating and cooling supply in the region, the press release explains further.

  • Holzbauer Strüby designs roundabout at new traffic junction

    Holzbauer Strüby designs roundabout at new traffic junction

    The timber construction company Strüby, based in Seewen, has successfully completed the design of two roundabouts in its home municipality, according to its media release. Construction work for the H8 full connection on Steinerstrasse had begun at the end of November 2022 on behalf of the cantonal civil engineering office. The new traffic junction was recently ceremoniously opened after 18 years of planning.

    According to the information provided, the wooden structures installed on the two roundabouts are symbolic reminders of basic carpentry virtues. On one, the so-called Schwyz roundabout, the elements of a carpenter’s knot were set up separately. This perfect wooden connection is also found in the coats of arms of the municipality and the canton. It consists of a total of six friction-locked construction elements in the form of squared timbers of the same size but cut differently. The pavement of the Schwyz roundabout resembles the traditional cobblestones of Schwyz’s main square.

    In the second, the so-called Mythen roundabout in the direction of Steinen, the wooden elements are joined together in a cross shape. The sculpture is not only related to the Steinerstrasse and H8 crossroads, but also symbolically to the summit cross on the Gross Mythen. Like its namesake, the surface of the Mythen roundabout is made of local limestone. The signal yellow outline of both roundabouts is intended as a reminder of the many hiking trail signs in the region.

  • Kuratle Group and Raurica Wald build timber factory in Aargau

    Kuratle Group and Raurica Wald build timber factory in Aargau

    A sustainable production facility for wood processing is to be built on the former premises of the CPH Group in Full-Reuenthal, the Lucerne-based chemical and paper holding company informs in a statement. It has sold a plot of land on the site, which it used until 2002, to Full Property AG. The company is owned by the wood-processing Kuratle Group from Leibstadt AG and the Basel-based Raurica Wald AG, which specialises in investments in the forestry and timber industry.

    The new plant will process local roundwood into construction timber using energy from renewable sources. Until now, such timber construction materials have been imported, the statement said. “We are pleased that innovative companies that contribute to climate protection with a sustainable business concept are operating on our former company site,” Peter Schildknecht, CEO of the CPH Group, is quoted there. Several companies, including two recycling firms, have already set up shop on the former CPH production site, which covers an area of around 30 football pitches.

  • Hybrid buildings made of wood have a future

    Hybrid buildings made of wood have a future

    Mr. Wappner, wood is one of the oldest building materials in Central Europe. We all know stilt houses or medieval half-timbered houses. Nowadays, however, wooden buildings are rare. Since when has wood been forgotten, especially in the urban context of construction, and why?

    It is correct: the building material wood was used much more frequently for the construction of buildings in the past. This is mainly due to the fact that wood has always been available in sufficient quantities in our Central European regions – also because the climatic conditions in Germany and many other European countries favor rapid regrowth. Due to the enormous effort in building in the past centuries, craftsmen over many generations have developed excellent knowledge and skills to deal with this material in an increasingly creative, skilful and efficient way. We still benefit from that today.

    Especially in the urban context, however, wood fell into oblivion in the course of industrialization from the middle of the 19th century or received industrially manufactured competition as a building material. Machine-made building materials such as brick or concrete were increasingly preferred. Because they could be produced cheaper, faster and in large quantities. In addition, many of our cities used to be built entirely of wood and have burned down several times in their history. Wood was therefore anchored in people’s minds as a source of danger. Structural fire protection in connection with dense inner-city development has always been an issue in urban planning. In contrast, in the industrial age, more fire-resistant building materials provided better safety evidence and thus more trust among people. This is one of the reasons why industrial building materials have increasingly replaced wood, especially in European urban planning.

    How do you explain the current boom in timber construction?

    The timber construction boom was clearly triggered by the growing ecological awareness in society. Wood is so attractive as a building material because we work with a renewable, resource-saving and circular raw material. With wood we can store CO 2 in buildings and thus counteract the energy-intensive production of other building materials and their use with a sustainable and environmentally friendly statement. The CO 2 balance of wood is unbeatably good compared to other building materials. But wood is not infinitely available, so we have to use the resources wisely.

    The current boom is also made possible by extensive research in recent years – especially in regions such as Vorarlberg, Graubünden or South Tyrol, but also in the Black Forest and the Allgäu. Today we have a great deal of knowledge about the material, which is paired with the centuries-old handed-down craftsmanship experience. There are now excellent opportunities to optimally test the load-bearing capacity and fire resistance of wood in long-term tests.

    Digitization plays another major role. CNC technology and other technical revolutions were a real quantum leap here. Thanks to the technically based use of machines, wood can now be processed and pre-produced down to the millimeter. This then happens directly in a workshop, where the components can be prefabricated in the dry and some can already be assembled. This high degree of prefabrication of modular wooden elements saves a lot of time and money.

    As a result of all these developments, wood as a building material has become very exciting again in recent years – and trust in the material has grown enormously. In addition, wood also has many other advantages that people appreciate: it smells good, looks familiar and feels pleasant.

  • Schilliger Holz AG plans a new plant in Perlen

    Schilliger Holz AG plans a new plant in Perlen

    Schilliger Holz AG from Küssnacht is planning to build a new production plant for wood fiber insulation panels in Perlen. According to a media release, this is to be built on the Perlen Papier AG factory site. The CPH Group , to which Perlen Papier AG belongs, will hand over a land area of 20,000 square meters to the wood processing company with building rights.

    Schilliger Holz AG is one of the main suppliers of wood chips to Perlen Papier AG. One of their sawmills is already located right next to the paper mill in Perlen. Thanks to the new plant, the two companies will work even more closely together: Perlen Papier AG will supply the new plant with electricity, process steam, fresh water and fully demineralized water. In addition, it will treat the waste water produced in the company’s own sewage treatment plant.

    “We are pleased to be able to realize synergies in industrial wood processing together with Schilliger Holz AG at the Perlen location. In this way, Perlen will become the center for sustainable recycling of the important resource wood in Switzerland ”, Peter Schildknecht, CEO of the CPH Group, is quoted in a press release from his company.

    According to Schilliger Holz AG, there has been “no more insulation board production in Switzerland for a long time”. With the implementation of the new plant, the company therefore wants to close a “large gap in the Swiss wood processing chain”. Wood fiber insulation boards are used, for example, for the thermal insulation of the outer shell surfaces of buildings.

    The project is currently in the planning phase. Commissioning is scheduled for 2023.

  • Kompotoi is a finalist in the Swiss Excellence Product Award

    Kompotoi is a finalist in the Swiss Excellence Product Award

    Kompotoi is among the six finalists for the Swiss Excellence Product Award 2021 . Swiss Excellence has now announced this. The Zurich start-up convinced the jury with its mobile and sustainability-focused composting toilets. The award ceremony will take place on September 16 in the Technopark Winterthur. With the Swiss Excellence Product Award, the Swiss Excellence Foundation claims to make a contribution to promoting entrepreneurship and Switzerland as a technology and innovation location.

    Kompotoi says it offers a “beautiful, user-friendly and sustainable alternative” to conventional toilets. They are “absolutely odor-free” and are made from wood “by hand in Switzerland”. You can get by without plastic, chemicals, electricity and flushing water. “We have developed a better solution than the conventional one for the mobile toilet area. It’s simple and obvious. That is why customers are enthusiastic about our product, ”said Kompotoi in his presentation for the Green Business Award , for which the company has also been nominated.

    Instead, the collected residues are converted into stable humus soil using a combined process technology of fermentation and composting. “One kilo of compost stores an average of 0.2 kg of CO2,” said Kompotoi when asked about the environmental benefits of their product. “Kompotoi produced around 100 tons of compost in 2019, that’s around 20,000 kilograms of stored CO2. If all mobile toilets in Switzerland were operated as compost toilets, 13,200 tons of CO2 could be sustainably stored in the soil. “

    Kompotoi rents out its wooden toilets for larger festivals, for example. The company is also planning systems in the public sector or for single and multi-family houses. Kompotoi also sells toilet solutions for garden houses, hunting lodges and alpine huts.

    With Kompotoi, two more start-ups are competing for the Swiss Excellence Product Award: Hivewatch and Smartbreed . Three companies have also been nominated in the SME category: Advanced Osteotomy Tools – AOT AG , Qumea and Rheonics . All start-up finalists are already supported with a three-year coaching from the start-up sponsor genisuisse .

  • UZH wants to generate electricity on a green roof

    UZH wants to generate electricity on a green roof

    The University of Zurich is to have a new teaching and learning center, the FORUM UZH, by 2028. According to a message on Monday, the cantonal building construction department submitted the building pre-submission. Afterwards, the seven-story building designed by the Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron will be erected as a wood hybrid construction with a concrete structure. The use of wood is supposed to save as much CO2 as is needed to build 77 single-family houses.

    The roof is to be greened intensively, thereby improving cooling in summer and thermal insulation in winter. At the same time, the roof will have a photovoltaic system. This should generate around 150 megawatt hours per year, enough electricity for 50 households.

    Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024. In the future, the building will have 700 workplaces for students and work space for 6000 members of the university.

  • Holzernte hat 2020 zugenommen

    Holzernte hat 2020 zugenommen

    Mit 4,8 Millionen Kubikmetern wurden 2020 insgesamt 4 Prozent mehr Holz geschlagen als im Vorjahr. Vergleicht man diese Menge mit dem Durchschnitt der Jahre 2016 bis 2019, so resultierte ein Plus von 1 Prozent. Der seit 2016 steigende Trend zu mehr geerntetem Nadelholz setzte sich auch im vergangenen Jahr fort: Dessen Ernte stieg um 8 Prozent auf 3,4 Millionen Kubikmeter.

    Wie das Statistische Bundesamt in der Schweizerischen Forststatistik 2020 weiter dokumentiert, setzte sich dagegen der Rückgang der Laubholzernte weiter fort. Mit 1,4 Millionen Kubikmeter wurden 3 Prozent weniger geschlagen als im Vorjahr. Gleichzeitig werden wegen der Klimaveränderung und des zunehmenden Aufwands bei der Bekämpfung des Borkenkäfers immer mehr Laubbäume neu gepflanzt, vor allem im Mittelland. 563’000 Bäume markierten dort gegenüber 2019 ein Plus von 9 Prozent. Gleichzeitig gingen die Nadelholzpflanzungen mit 430’000 Bäumen um 8 Prozent zurück.

    Ein weiterer Trend ist seit 2016 ungebrochen: In der Schweiz wird immer mehr Hackholz verwendet. 2020 waren es mit 1,2 Millionen Kubikmetern rund 5 Prozent mehr Holz als Hackschnitzel. Dagegen sinkt die Ernte von Energiestückholz stetig: von 0,75 Millionen Kubikmetern im Jahr 2016 auf 0,70 Kubikmeter im Jahr 2020. Das meistgeerntete Holz bleibt Stammholz. Dieses Segment wuchs nach einem starken Rückgang im Vorjahr wieder um 5 Prozent.

    Die Einnahmen der 660 Schweizer Forstbetriebe sanken 2020 um 2 Prozent auf 525 Millionen Franken. Deren Ausgaben nahmen um 1 Prozent auf 569 Millionen Franken ab. Daraus resultierte eine Unterdeckung von rund 44 Millionen Franken. Das sind 5 Prozent mehr als 2019 und 13 Prozent mehr als im Durchschnitt der Jahre 2016 bis 2019.

    Bei den 160 Betrieben aus dem forstwirtschaftlichen Testbetriebsnetz der Schweiz, die eine Vollkostenrechnung führen, verschlechterte sich die Situation im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Durch erhöhte Kosten und tiefere Erlöse hat sich deren Defizit pro Hektare produktive Waldfläche um 6 Franken auf 66 Franken vergrössert.

  • Jansen and SFS secure jobs

    Jansen and SFS secure jobs

    The two companies based in the St.GallenBodenseeArea, Jansen and SFS, have agreed to work together in the window area, as can now be seen in a press release. Jansen will concentrate on the further development of the wood-metal window system Connex, while SFS will sell the Connex brand as the exclusive partner.

    As part of this collaboration, Jansen would like to continue to drive innovations, while SFS would like to expand its market position with the Connex portfolio. In addition, both companies see their cooperation as a commitment to Switzerland as a business location. By assuming their corporate responsibility, they would secure “jobs and training positions in the Rhine Valley”.

    In addition, customers should benefit from the partnership. On the one hand, both companies can concentrate on their complementary strengths and, on the other hand, the geographical proximity makes the cooperation a success.

  • Basel area wants to test Velohochbahn

    Basel area wants to test Velohochbahn

    The canton of Basel-Landschaft wants to expand its infrastructure for bicycles. Together with the Federal Roads Office ( FEDRO ), he is now starting the project of a bicycle high-rise, he writes in a message . The Veloweg is built as a separate building next to existing roads. The system is made of wood in a modular construction. It will also be equipped with photovoltaic modules.

    For this purpose, FEDRO has commissioned a study for the routing in the Basel area. With this project, it wants to examine how a higher-level cycle network along existing motorways can be integrated into the cantonal cycle route networks.

    The Basel government council wants to submit a corresponding proposal to the district administrator in the fourth quarter. If the cantonal parliament approves, the bicycle high-rise should be built between mid-2021 and mid-2022. It is to be put into operation before the opening of the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival in Pratteln in 2022 .