CASE STUDY - Swedish wood industry (Part 1)

Inside the oldest Glulam factory in Sweden, Moelven Töreboda AB Photo: Wasita Amatyakul

An overview of the Swedish wood construction industry

Since the 19th century, the timber industry has been one of Sweden’s most significant export sectors. Nearly 70 percent of Sweden’s land area is covered by forest, and the total area of ​​forest land has been stable over a long time. 83% of Swedish forestland is covered by coniferous and mixed forests (Svenskt Trä, 2020). The timber volume consists mainly of spruce (40%) and pine (39%). The distribution of tree species is not the same throughout the country. Approximately 65-80% of Swedish sawn wood production is exported, making it the world’s 3rd largest exporter of wood sawn (HS 4407) after Canada and

Russia (Svenskt Trä, 2020; Swedish Forest Industries, 2024b). Regarding domestic use, 37% goes to Conversions, Extensions, and Rehabilitation in buildings, and 27% is used for newly built housing or building projects.

List of stakeholders through this visit, drawn by Wasita Amatyakul

Industrialized timber - innovation and stakeholders in the Swedish softwood value chain

The Swedish softwood industry is a well-integrated system involving various stakeholders contributing to advancing industrialized timber technology. Understanding the entire system chain is essential for sustainable architecture. Local system chains can enrich communities while minimizing environmental impact. Each actor significantly enhances innovation, sustainability, and efficiency across the softwood value chain. On this trip, the key entities working closely in this ecosystem have shared their roles and objectives with the industry and products, such as glulam (Swedish Forest Industries, 2024a).

1. Public-private entity supporting Swedish industries - Business Sweden

Business Sweden promotes Swedish industries, particularly softwood and timber, in global markets. It assists companies in expanding internationally through trade and investments. In timber technology, it connects Swedish companies with global stakeholders for exports and partnerships and promotes Sweden’s leadership in sustainable timber construction.

2. Non-profit organization promoting sustainable materials - EIF

EIF promotes circular economy principles and sustainable material use in the Swedish timber sector by advocating responsible forestry practices, life-cycle assessments, and bio-based materials development. They ensure industrialized timber technology aligns with environmental and social sustainability. By connecting industry players, foresters, researchers, and policymakers, EIF helps shape frameworks and business strategies for the long-term viability of timber-based construction.

3. Private sector for sustainable

GAIA Architect focuses on sustainable timber construction by promoting resource efficiency, responsible forestry, and material optimization. The firm prioritizes enduring architecture by balancing afforestation with diverse wood species, maximizing recycled materials, and minimizing virgin resource use. Collaboration among stakeholders ensures durable, maintainable structures, considering longevity and disassembly throughout the value chain.

4. Collaborative initiative research and innovation platform - HSB Living Lab is an innovative platform for sustainable housing and construction materials, acting as a real-world test site for new building technologies. It bridges academia, industry, and the public to assess engineered wood products' performance and sustainability. Partnering with universities and construction firms validates timber technology advancements for large-scale use. The lab also gathers data on user behavior to predict resource usage and optimize energy consumption, promoting efficient housing solutions.

5. Public Research Institutes - RISE

RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) is a key research and innovation partner in Sweden’s timber industry. It conducts scientific studies, material testing, and technological advancements in engineered wood products. RISE collaborates with stakeholders across the softwood value chain, from raw material suppliers to construction firms, ensuring that timber solutions meet high-performance, safety, and sustainability standards. By fostering cross-industry collaborations, RISE accelerates the adoption of industrialized timber technologies and standardizations in Sweden and beyond the life cycle.

6. Regional Manufacturer - Moelven Töreboda AB

Established in 1919, Moelven Töreboda AB is Sweden’s leading engineered wood product producer and the oldest laminated beam manufacturer. The company supplies high-quality timber for industrial construction and turn-key CLT projects. Collaborating with architects, builders, and researchers, Moelven enhances timber solutions, contributing to a sustainable softwood value chain. Its innovative prefabricated elements support Swedish bio-based construction goals.

Pictures from visiting - 1. Business Sweden, 2 RISE testing institute, 3. White Architects, 4. Wingårdh architects, Folkhem, 5. HSB living lab, 6. Moevelen factory, 7. Atrium Ljungberg' s office Photos: Wasita Amatyakul.

Key Takeaway

The Swedish wood construction industry has significantly evolved due to policy support, technological advancements, and market appreciation. Once overshadowed by concrete and steel, wood has regained prominence, especially after the National Wood Building Strategy (2015) and the Climate Declaration for New Buildings (2022). These policies and function-based building regulations since 1994 have facilitated the construction of tall wooden buildings while ensuring safety and integrity. Sweden’s legal framework and market incentives, such as the “cut one, plant three” reforestation policy, promote sustainable wood construction. Public-private collaborations have created a well-integrated softwood value chain, positioning Sweden as a global leader in sustainable timber construction.

Challenges remain, particularly with constraints on new wood sizes. Shrinking lumber dimensions have resulted in a shortage of higher-strength timber (T22), impacting glulam beams. Nonetheless, Sweden’s timber industry advances with prefabrication techniques that enhance construction speed and economic competitiveness.

An illustration depicts the Nordic method of cutting lumber into various sizes. Since T22 is made from the sapwood (outer part of the log), the smaller diameter directly impacts the amount of T22 wood produced. redrawn by Wasita Amatyakul

Advantages and Emerging Trends in Wood Construction in Sweden

Market Appreciation & Building Value

Wood construction is gaining traction in Sweden, with real estate developers recognizing its long-term market value, particularly in urban housing and commercial developments.

Improved Living Quality & Connection with Nature

Wood buildings contribute to well-being by enhancing indoor air quality and fostering a connection with nature, which is linked to improved mental health.

Lightweight Construction

Timber is significantly lighter than concrete and steel, reducing the need for heavy foundations and allowing for innovative building designs.

Fast Construction Time

Prefabricated timber elements accelerate construction, reducing on-site labor and material waste. Projects like Cederhusen demonstrated efficiency improvements, cutting installation time per floor from four days to two.

Competitive Cost

Glulam beams and engineered wood products are priced competitively with concrete structures. However, reuse and adaptation remain challenging due to quality control and size standardization issues.

Legal and Policy Support

Sweden’s policies, including function-based building codes and environmental regulations, have fostered a resurgence in wood construction. The National Wood Building Strategy and Climate Declaration for New Buildings provide a framework for sustainable urban development.

Swedish Wood utilisation in 2018, illustration from Att välja trä Magazine 2018 (translated by deepL)

Retrived from https://www.svenskttra.se/siteassets/5-publikationer/pdfer/avt-2020-72ppi.pdf, access on 19 March 2025

Reference Svenskt Trä. (2020). Att välja trä. Anna Ryberg Ågren. https://www.svenskttra.se/siteassets/5-publikationer/pdfer/avt-2020-72ppi.pdf

Svenskt Trä. (2025). Wood in the construction process. Swedish Wood. https://www.swedishwood.com/building-with-wood/construction/building-with-wood/

Swedish Forest Industries. (2024a, March 10). Sawn wood products - Swedish Forest Industries Federation. Forestindustries.se. https://www.forestindustries.se/forest-industry/materials-and-products/sawn-wood-products/

Swedish Forest Industries. (2024b, April 9). Markets and products - Swedish Forest Industries Federation. Www.forestindustries.se. https://www.forestindustries.se/forest-industry/statistics/markets-and-products/

Verkerk, P. J., Levers, C., Kuemmerle, T., Lindner, M., Valbuena, R., Verburg, P. H., & Sergey Zudin. (2015). Mapping wood production in European forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 357, 228–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.08.007

This article summarizes key insights from the field trip research conducted from Gothenburg to Stockholm between 1 and 8 March 2025. The trip is part of the project “Developing a Wooden Prefabricated Built-in Unit Prototype in Residential Condominiums for Raising Competitiveness and Sustainable Development in Thailand.” It included visits to Töreboda and Stockholm, with meetings involving EIF, Chulalongkorn University, Business Sweden, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm.

Author: Wasita Amatyakul, Network Assistant at Bauhütte 4.0 and Lecturer at Chulalongkorn University Please contact - contact@bauhuette40.com for more information on the contact of the stakeholders mentioned in this article.