After more than two years of research and development, the first mass timber concrete sandwich, developed by Swedish concrete maker Heidelberg Materials Precast Contiga and Finnish company Metsä Wood, has been successfully tested at Heidelberg’s Norrtälje factory.

It comes after both companies have tested the new product on a building prototype, tested various designs, and assessed how the product reacts to moisture and different forces.

The new product, a wall panel made from layers of concrete, insulation and load-bearing laminated veneer lumber, “capitalises on the benefits of combining wood and concrete in future building structures.”

According to Metsä Wood, the new panels have a climate impact between 30% and 50% lower than a traditional concrete sandwich element, are 60% lighter and are suitable for buildings up to five floors.

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