Swedish Wood introduces Nordic Lodgepole Pine as a construction material

The government research institute RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has conducted extensive testing and classification of lodgepole pine timber, providing a strong understanding of the species’ properties. Swedish Wood, whose role is to promote knowledge about wood products and timber construction, is now presenting this data to make it easier for the construction industry to compare lodgepole pine with other wood species.

Lodgepole pine has, among other things, been included in the standard range of the Swedish Wood Product Catalogue.

“We present data on strength, density and other technical and environmental properties that are important to the construction industry,” says Mattias Fridholm.

Easy to see the potential

According to Fridholm, it is generally the physical properties – rather than the wood species itself – that are of greatest interest to timber customers.

“It is the properties that determine whether a timber product is suitable for a specific end product. Now that the properties of lodgepole pine are clearly presented, it becomes much easier to see the species’ potential. This also helps ensure that the timber is used for the highest-quality products possible, meaning that forest raw materials from Swedish forests are utilised in the best possible way,” says Mattias Fridholm.

Johan Fröbel, Head of Technology and Trade at Swedish Wood, looks ahead to an exciting period.

“As more timber customers begin using lodgepole pine, both we and the construction industry will continue to learn more about how lodgepole pine products should be handled.”

A welcome addition

Fröbel highlights that the introduction of lodgepole pine comes at an important time, as larger volumes of timber raw material are needed.

“Wood is a renewable raw material that can, in many cases, reduce the need for fossil-based materials. Although Swedish forests are growing well and growth exceeds harvesting, timber availability remains limited. Access to timber products made from lodgepole pine therefore represents a welcome addition of renewable raw material. This strengthens opportunities to build more with renewable materials and take further steps towards a more circular construction sector.”

Growing demand

Swedish Wood expects demand for sawn timber products in Europe to continue growing.

“We are likely to see increasing demands for low-carbon building materials, which will drive greater demand for wood. The launch of lodgepole pine as a construction material is positive for the construction industry, the climate and Sweden’s competitiveness,” says Mattias Fridholm.