Wood as a Versatile Building Material for Modern Construction

Wood is a renewable resource and offers numerous possibilities for customized architectural and construction concepts. The material stands out for its versatility and natural properties.

Transformation of the Construction Industry: Approaches to Planning, Construction, and Use

Wood from certified forestry operations can contribute to the use of renewable raw materials. As a renewable raw material, wood sequesters carbon as it grows. Depending on its origin, processing, and use, wood can serve as an alternative to materials or energy sources with higher emissions. The use of wood from certified forestry supports the transition toward a resource-conscious construction industry.

Our thinking
Responsible action forms the foundation of our project development approach. From the earliest planning stages, we consider technical, economic and organizational requirements, as well as environmental, social and economic factors. This creates a solid basis for a structured and effective project delivery.

In concrete terms:
- We handle production in-house, oversee construction directly on-site, and offer turnkey solutions upon request. Through the close integration of planning, production, and construction, processes can be coordinated and continuously refined.
Our actions
The efficient use of materials and resources plays an important role in our projects. Wood is a renewable raw material and, depending on its origin, processing, and use, can contribute to a variety of building concepts. In addition, we focus on the efficient use of materials and the reuse of residual materials within existing value chains.

In concrete terms:
- We make targeted use of wood-based materials and combine them with the properties of other building materials.
- Wood chips from production are used to heat our production facilities.
- Residual materials are currently reused in the manufacture of OSB panels and for the production of animal bedding.
- Special formwork elements from the Stuttgart 21 project were reused as part of a research project. "Stuttgart 210 - think ahead, build ahead!"
Our results
We are constantly refining our solutions in timber construction and leveraging the diverse applications of wood as a material. In doing so, we work to optimize products, processes, and building systems to meet the various requirements of modern construction.

In concrete terms:
- Upon request, we assist projects in obtaining the “ZÜBLIN Sustainable Construction Site” basic certification.
- Our LENO^® cross-laminated timber product is tested for VOC emissions, formaldehyde, and boron compounds.
- We are continuously refining our building systems, for example in the areas of LENO^®-ADD, HBV, ribbed, and box-girder systems.

Wood in Modern Construction

Material Properties: Wood can absorb moisture from the indoor air and release it again. This property is frequently utilized in interior applications.
Prefabrication: The high degree of prefabrication of building components allows for efficient assembly processes on the construction site.
Reuse: Uncontaminated or uncoated wood materials can, depending on the application, be transferred to further use or recycling processes.
Cascade Use: After its initial use, wood can sometimes be used as a raw material for other products, such as wood-based materials.
Funding Opportunities: Depending on the type of project and funding program, timber construction projects may be eligible for certain funding instruments.

Photo of a modern living room with an open wooden roof truss.

Advantages in planning

We are 90% PEFC-certified and thus meet the requirements of various building and project certifications regarding the origin of the wood we use.
For our proprietary product, LENO^® cross-laminated timber, test reports on VOC emissions and formaldehyde in accordance with DIN 16516—evaluated according to the AgBB scheme and MVVTB—are available. The results can be taken into account for relevant building and sustainability certifications.

Photo of a protruding building detail. Ruhestein visitor center.

Wood offers a wide range of options for material procurement. Depending on the project requirements, sawn timber can be sourced from regional supply chains. In the CARL high-rise project in Pforzheim, for example, wood from state-owned forests was used. Example: CARL High-Rise Project in Pforzheim
Life cycle assessments (LCA) enable the evaluation of materials across various project phases. As a renewable resource, wood sequesters carbon as it grows. The results of a life cycle assessment depend, among other factors, on the material’s origin, processing, transportation, use, and disposal.

PEFC

PEFC is an internationally recognized certification system for forest management and the traceability of wood throughout the supply chain. PEFC-certified wood and paper products come from forests and supply chains that are audited according to the requirements of the certification system.

ZÜBLIN Timber primarily uses wood from PEFC-certified forestry operations. This allows the origin of the wood used to be documented and traced. Download

Wood from here - we are partners

The evaluation of construction projects takes into account, among other things, the origin of materials, transportation routes, and processing. HOLZ VON HIER^® is a certification system that documents and evaluates transportation distances and origin throughout the supply chain.

Depending on the product type, specific requirements apply to transportation routes and proof of origin. In addition, the raw materials used come from certified forestry operations.

With the HOLZ VON HIER^® certificate, ZÜBLIN Timber offers the opportunity to include regional origin and documented provenance as additional evaluation criteria in product selection.

HOLZ VON HIER^® certifies individual products. The origin of certified products is transparently documented via an individual certificate and identification number.

We use transparent instruments

The assessment of construction quality is becoming increasingly important. Certification systems such as DGNB and BNB take into account various quality, resource, and building criteria and establish transparent evaluation standards for construction projects. LEED is internationally recognized and is used as an evaluation system in many real estate markets.

In addition, we have project experience in the area of the EU Taxonomy and take the relevant requirements into account when planning and implementing construction projects.

DGNB

The DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) is an independent, nonprofit association that develops certification and rating systems for buildings and neighborhoods. The certification levels—Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze—reflect the extent to which a project meets defined criteria. They support a transparent assessment of quality, processes, and building characteristics.
More about certification.
BNB – Sustainable Building Rating System

The BNB (Sustainable Building Rating System) is a rating system for construction projects, particularly in the public sector. It provides measurable and verifiable criteria that evaluate various aspects of a building related to quality, resources, use, and processes. The certification levels—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—reflect the degree to which the criteria are met
More about certification.
LEED

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification system for buildings and real estate developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Projects are evaluated based on defined criteria across several categories. Depending on the number of points earned, projects can achieve the certification levels of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
More about certification (German side).
EU taxonomy
The EU Taxonomy defines requirements for evaluating economic activities based on established environmental objectives. In the building sector, criteria such as waste recycling, material assessment, and the prevention of hazardous substances play a role.
- For construction projects, requirements for the recycling of generated waste are defined. Depending on its characteristics, wood waste can be incorporated into further recycling processes, such as the production of wood-based materials.
- LENO^® cross-laminated timber meets the requirements of DIN 16516 regarding VOC emissions and formaldehyde levels. These criteria are taken into account, among other things, in connection with the DNSH requirements of the EU Taxonomy.