Metsä Group introduces hybrid elements to replace concrete walls

Metsä Group has developed a new construction solution, the hybrid sandwich wall element, offering a more sustainable alternative for residential buildings. This innovation is designed to replace the commonly used concrete sandwich wall elements in multi-storey buildings across Nordic countries.

The core innovation involves substituting the load-bearing internal panel of the traditional concrete element with a Kerto LVL Q-panel, a robust and lightweight wood product. The element retains its concrete facade and insulation layer. Kerto LVL offers compressive strength comparable to C30 concrete but is significantly lighter.

The adoption of these hybrid elements is expected to enhance construction efficiency. The lighter weight facilitates faster factory production, easier transportation to construction sites, and simpler installation. With the construction industry contributing approximately 30% of global CO2 emissions, such material advancements are crucial for reducing environmental impact.

Finland alone produces around one million square meters of concrete wall elements annually, accounting for an estimated 45,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Replacing these with hybrid elements could reduce annual emissions by 30,000 tons, while also sequestering a significant amount of carbon within the wood material.