Norwegian Wood Cluster serves as a connection point
In our specialist groups, professionals from companies, universities and research institutes meet to gain up-to-date insights, exchange experiences and discuss common challenges and solutions.
The discussions often lead to new project ideas. If companies are interested, the cluster helps to develop the project, find participants and obtain funding. The specialist group to which the project belongs often acts as a reference group
Our specialist groups
Future building solutions
Group leader | Julie Gedde-Dahl
If timber materials and wooden structures are to replace high-impact climate materials to a greater extent, we need to provide flexible, innovative and competitive building solutions demanded by the customers and society. All buildings consist of several materials, which is why it is important to work towards optimal material combinations.
Some of the groups focus areas
- Standardized solutions for 4-6 storeys wooden buildings
- Increase industrialized solutions for building renovation and height extensions
- Increased expertise and documentation on e.g. accoustics, fire and material reuse
Expertise
Group leader | Knut Amund Skatvedt
The cluster will increase the companies’ ability to attract and develop today’s and tomorrow’s employees, and lifelong learning must be facilitated in the manufacturing companies. There is a need for a skills boost in sustainability, digitalization and advanced industrial processes.
The members of the specialist group are professionally refreshed and exchange experiences within the HR profession. We look at recruitment to education and professions within our value chain, and facilitate dialogue with relevant colleges and universities.
Digitalization and automation
Group leader | Knut Amund Skatvedt
The competitiveness of companies depends on increased digitization and development of industrial processes, as well as optimal utilization of raw materials, efficient logistics and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The group will work to optimize production in the value chain, from the forest to finished buildings – through the sensible use of artificial intelligence, digital tracking, digital twins and digitized production and flow of goods.
Sustainability
Group leader | Berit Sanness
Developing new wood-based, industrial and sustainable building solutions are important steps towards a society with lower carbon emissions. The specialist group will be a driving force for reducing the carbon footprint in the value chain and in particular contribute to documentation.
Key areas are sustainability reporting and the development of new circular solutions for the value chain. Other important areas are climate and environmental requirements for the value chain and greenhouse gas accounting.
Internationalization
Group leader | Knut Amund Skatvedt
This specialist group will be established in 2025 to become a meeting place and arena for companies that want to develop expertise and networks related to internationalization and export.
One of the cluster’s goals is to contribute to increasing the companies’ export value by 40% by 2035 (compared with the 2024 level). Several of the cluster’s member companies already have large exports and their own sales organizations, while others are aiming for for increased exports.
Communication
Group leader | Mari Blokhus Nordtun
The specialist group will help to further develop communication and marketing expertise for the member companies and for the cluster. We will promote the forestry and wood industry in our communication with the purpose to strengthen the recruitment to education and professions in the value chain.
The specialist group is updated on relevant EU regulations that affect marketing communication. We work to provide the necessary documentation to communicate the positive properties of wood materials, both technically and environmentally.