Project Climate-friendly buildings Innlandet: The year 2024 summarized
Over the course of 2024, our project team has traveled around Inland Norway and held countless meetings with players in the construction industry. We are undoubtedly an industry with a great responsibility for the climate and nature, and we know that the most climate-friendly building is the one that is never built. At the same time, we need buildings to live, work, learn, be cared for, be healthy, meet and thrive in.
Share, learn, inspire
So how can we build what we need in a way that has the least possible negative impact on nature and the climate? The picture is complex, and there is no recipe or formula. So the prescription for this project has been to SHARE knowledge and experience, and INSPIRE to change, and to try and fail.
And it is precisely this willingness to learn and share that has made the biggest impression throughout this year of webinars, professional gatherings and meetings. Builders, contractors, consultants, architects, building product manufacturers and recyclers have willingly shared their knowledge and practical experience of processes and materials. And the participation in the professional webinars and the response to the newsletter has shown that people want to learn more.
Some experiences and thoughts we have had throughout the year:
o There is a great deal of interest in and search for knowledge, especially about reuse and rehabilitation, greenhouse gas calculations and material knowledge.
o Collaboration throughout the value chain is crucial to speed up sustainable construction processes. We need regular meeting places to share good and bad experiences, discuss solutions, opportunities and risks.
o The myth that building climate-friendly is more expensive is still alive. We need to share the good examples that this is not always true – and take operating costs and lifetime into account (Life Cycle Analyses LCA and Life Cycle Costs LCC).
o Many businesses, especially smaller developers and municipalities, may find it difficult to take financial risks. That’s why we need good incentive schemes for risk relief, so that more people dare to take the lead and try out new solutions and establish new and more climate-friendly practices. At present, there are few such schemes.
o Property developers in the rental market often choose certification because they believe it will pay off in a future rental market. On the other hand, public sector developers building and renovating purpose-built buildings such as schools and nursing homes (which will not be rented out) can achieve just as good results without certifying the building. By taking the right steps in terms of reuse, use of materials and construction solutions that make the buildings last longer and can be adapted to future uses.
o Developers and tenants have great power in their orders. By expressing clear requirements for sustainability in the projects at an early stage, there is a great opportunity to influence the end result.
o Many municipalities have good climate plans and, in accordance with the procurement rules, must weight climate and environmental considerations by 30%. Here it is important to include local suppliers in the dialog to ensure that they are able to deliver.
o In order to succeed with the reuse of building materials, the Inland Region needs to build systems in the form of reuse centers and resource databases.
2025: Meeting places and more knowledge
We are following up on our own promise to establish a regular meeting place for the construction industry in Inland Norway, twice a year. The first meeting will take place on April 2 in Hamar and will focus on reuse and greenhouse gas calculations. There will be professional presentations, but also collaboration and plenty of time to mingle and talk during the breaks. Because we know that change and development require collaboration. The second professional gathering will be held in October, time and place not yet determined.
In early February, we invite you to a webinar on how new forms of collaboration in the early phase can make a big difference to the achievement of goals in projects with specific objectives.
Last but not least, we would like to thank you for your cooperation in 2024 and wish you a happy new year!
Greetings project Climate friendly buildings Innlandet v/ project group
Eivind, Marit, Christopher and Mari
The year 2024 in numbers for Climate-friendly buildings Innlandet
Over the course of 2024, 260 people have participated in physical gatherings organized by the project, and 480 people have followed our webinars. In addition, we know that more people have watched recordings of the webinars, but we lack statistics here. The recordings are available on www.klimavennligebygg.no for free use – you can find them in the event calendar, under each individual event.
At the time of writing, the project has 177 subscribers to the newsletter, which is sent out a couple of times a month. In addition, we use LinkedIn to share relevant material. The proportion of people who click on issues is high, which is a sign that the information is useful.
If you have suggestions for topics or issues that should be shared in 2025, please get in touch!
Exciting round of visits for Julie Gedde-Dahl
The new project manager will be a key member of the cluster and will be responsible for the “Future building solutions” subject group. She will also be project manager for the acoustics project “3LYD”, which has many participants and relates to an important area for strengthening the competitiveness of wood construction.
More company visits are coming up. As are meetings at NMBU in Ås and at NTNU and SINTEF in Trondheim.
Forward-thinking Hunton
The first stop on the “get to know you” tour was Gjøvik, where Julie got to know Hunton Fiber AS. The company has been an active member of the Norwegian Wood Cluster since its inception in 2017, participating in all of the cluster’s specialist groups and in several of the cluster’s projects, including the “3LYD” project.
At Hunton, Technical Manager Thomas Løkken gave an interesting review of some of Hunton’s products.
– Acoustics is one of the areas we focus on. We achieved fantastic sound measurements for Hunton’s wood fiber insulation. A sound wall insulated with Hunton Nativo wood fiber insulation attenuates noise far above the requirement that applies between residential units. We are proud of that. But there are several challenges related to acoustics, so we look forward to the implementation of the “3LYD” project,” says Thomas Løkken.
Hunton Fiber was recently awarded more than NOK 14 million in funding from Innovation Norway to develop its new circular growth medium, Fibergrow®.
– Fibergrow can be used for cultivation in most vegetable productions, such as cucumber and tomato, berries, herbs, flowers and shrubs in nurseries. Fibergrow can fully or partially replace today’s less sustainable alternatives for cultivation,” says Løkken.
– “I’m already looking forward to getting an in-depth tour of both the old and the new Hunton factory. This is a company that is constantly striving for new products and sustainable solutions, which is very inspiring,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl.
Contour with exciting buildings
At Kontur Arkitekter AS’s premises in Gjøvik, Julie met the partners Roar Jacobsen and Jørn Reiner, both of whom are highly committed to good architectural solutions in buildings. Kontur has been a member of the Norwegian Wood Cluster since 2019 and actively participates in relevant professional groups and projects, including the “3LYD” project.
Kontur is an interdisciplinary architectural office that works with a wide range of construction projects, with an emphasis on residential, commercial, school and care buildings.
– “We are now part of the VIER alliance together with five other architectural firms around the country. This strengthens our position for larger assignments,” says Jørn Reiner.
Kontur has, among other things, been the architect for Voldsløkka school and cultural center in Oslo, with Oslobygg as the client. Voldsløkka was opened in August 2023.
– “This is Norway’s first school with a plus-house standard and combines solar and earth energy, environmentally friendly building materials, an energy-efficient building and a unique outdoor area into a European model project,” says Roar Jacobsen. He recently handed over responsibility for the day-to-day running of Kontor Arkitekter to Erik Brett Jacobsen, who was project manager for Voldsløkka School and Cultural Center. Acoustics was one of the key issues there.
– “I’m immediately putting Voldsløkka school on my wish list for inspections,” says the cluster’s new project manager Julie Gedde-Dahl.
New master’s degree at NTNU
During her visit to NTNU in Gjøvik, Julie learned that a new master’s degree in “Building Informatics and Timber Structures” will be offered at Gjøvik from the fall of 2025. Assistant Professor Thomas Haavi briefed her on the plans.
The two-year program will educate civil engineers with knowledge in building informatics, sustainability and wooden structures. The programme focuses on building informatics and how digitalization is becoming increasingly important for the industry, as well as the use of wood in building structures and how digitalization and proper design can facilitate more efficient production.
– Central to the study is thus the challenge of how to exploit the opportunities offered by digital information to build sustainable buildings with efficient processes from design to production. “Wood as a building material can help to reduce the environmental impact in several areas, but requires good expertise in material properties, design and production,” says Haavi.
The program consists of compulsory and elective courses based on the choice of specialization. The student can choose a specialization in digitalization, or sustainable and circular use of wood, or a combination of these. The specialization can take place in collaboration with a company. The basis for admission is a completed bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent education.
– “We’re very excited about this program,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl. She has personal experience of candidates with a Danish bachelor’s degree in a similar area and knows that these candidates have skills that are in demand in the market.
Audio database as a tool
Building at height is an interesting way of reducing the degradation of land and thus reducing the pressure on biodiversity, among other things. Companies in the Norwegian Wood Cluster have identified acoustics as an important area for strengthening the competitiveness of wooden buildings, including in the 4-6 storey segment. The cluster has now set up a project that will collect and make available sound measurements for floor partitions in wooden buildings with a view to producing several preaccepted solutions and providing the basis for a guide.
Well anchored
– “The idea for the ‘3LYD’ project came up in a working meeting with key people from our members NTNU, Norconsult and Sweco,” says cluster leader Berit Sanness. She says that the project idea then received full support from the cluster’s specialist group “Future building solutions”.
– That’s why we went ahead and planned the project. A number of member companies, NTNU and SINTEF actively contributed to finalizing the project plan. With support from Innovation, the three-year project is underway, and we have had the first meeting of the project group,” says Sanness. She is now handing over responsibility for the project to the cluster’s new project manager Julie Gedde-Dahl.
Great commitment
– The 3LYD project group held its first meeting on February 19. It was attended by resource persons with strong technical expertise from SINTEF, NTNU and a number of companies, and the level of commitment was high. It was very motivating,” says Gedde-Dahl. She says that the acoustics theme has also captivated the students. A total of 12 bachelor’s students have chosen assignments related to the project, nine students at Gjøvik and three in Trondheim.
– “We’re very pleased that NTNU has been heavily involved in the project and that so many students have chosen acoustics in wooden buildings for their assignments. The students will have co-supervisors from the companies, so we think they will find the work on the assignments interesting. And we look forward to getting to know the results of the students’ work,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl.
She expects problems to emerge that may tempt new cohorts of bachelor’s and master’s students at NTNU in Gjøvik and Trondheim to choose assignments in acoustics in wooden buildings in the coming years.
– “The company’s involvement in the ‘3LYD’ project is already considerable. This underlines the industry’s interest in the field,” says Gedde-Dahl.
Project “3LYD”
These are actively participating in the “3LYD” project, which is owned by the Norwegian Wood Cluster: SINTEF and NTNU, ARE Treindustrier AS, Hersleth Entreprenør AS, Hunton Fiber AS, Kontur Arkitekter AS, Norsk Massivtre AS, Ny Struktur AS, Norconsult Norge AS, Sweco Norge AS and Brekke & Strand Akustikk. Faggruppe Fremtidige byggeløsninger is the reference group for the project.
The project is supported by Innovation Norway and runs from 2024-2027.
New master's degree in building informatics and wood structures
Gladsak from NTNU Gjøvik: This fall, a new 2-year Master in Building Informatics and Timber Structures (MIBIT) is offered. Through this master’s program, students are trained as civil engineers with knowledge in building informatics, sustainability and wooden structures.
The application deadline is April 15.
Important expertise
The new master’s programme focuses on building informatics and how digitization is becoming increasingly important for the industry, as well as the use of wood in building structures and how digitization and proper design can facilitate more efficient production.
At the heart of the program is the challenge of how to exploit the opportunities offered by digital information to build sustainable buildings with efficient processes from design to production. Wood as a building material can help to reduce the environmental impact in several areas, but requires good expertise in material properties, design and production.
Both compulsory and elective courses
The program consists of compulsory and elective courses based on the choice of specialization. You can choose a specialization in digitalization, or sustainable and circular use of wood, or a combination of these. The specialization starts with a specialization course in the second semester, followed by a project in the third semester and a master’s thesis in the fourth semester. The specialization can take place in collaboration with a company.
More information
The basis for admission is a completed bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent education.
The program can be combined with e.g. work, as much of the teaching can be followed digitally and the study plan can be adapted to your life situation.
For more information: https://www.ntnu.no/studier/mibit/
Application deadline: April 15
If you’re curious about the new program, we recommend taking a look at this video:
Sweco leads the way
The administration of the Norwegian Wood Cluster recently visited cluster member Sweco in Lillehammer for inspiration on modern timber construction and high-rise extensions.
– “It is well known that Sweco has cutting-edge expertise in wooden structures. For us, it was very valuable to be updated on Sweco’s work related to tall wooden buildings and extensions,” says cluster leader Berit Sanness.
Sweco’s list of achievements includes Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal, where Sweco delivered the detailed design of structural engineering, building physics, acoustics, fire and project management on assignment. Sweco was also responsible for the detailed design of glulam and solid wood as well as global statics and dynamics for the structure for Moelven Limtre AS. The Mjøstårnet project is a good example of innovation in wooden high-rise buildings. Sweco’s 30 “wooden shells” are distributed among the offices in Lillehammer and Oslo.
– “It’s right that Sweco has tried to streamline the wood environment at these two offices, which take on assignments all over the country. At the same time, we are concerned with the correct use of materials, and not wood at any price,” says Sweco Innlandet Regional Manager Asgeir Kvam. He explains that the consultancy covers all disciplines within architecture, construction, infrastructure and project administration.
– “Sweco has a wide range of expertise overall. We also have a separate department for building rehabilitation at the Oslo office, utilizing expertise and capacity across regions,” says Kvam.
High-rise extensions in Oslo
At present, high-rise extensions are one of the relevant areas that have been put more strongly on the industry’s agenda. This is a necessary consequence of the ambition to reduce floor space and extend the life of existing buildings. Among the members of the Norwegian Wood Cluster, ARE Treindustrier AS and Landheim AS, for example, are suppliers of roof trusses that are interesting for extensions. Moelven Limtre AS is another key manufacturer and supplier for high-rise extensions.
When Øvre Vollgate 11 in Kvadraturen in Oslo was to be renovated, developer Anthon Eiendom AS was clear that they wanted a sustainable solution. The brick building from 1875 was five storeys high. The load-bearing capacity of the existing structure cannot withstand much extra load, so the choice of material was simple. Sweco was brought in together with Moelven for a turnkey contract for a two-storey high extension. The extension, which will have a usable area of 300 square meters, will house offices for around 35 workplaces. The building is expected to be completed in 2025.
Quick installation
– Øvre Vollgate 11 is not a major project, but an example of renovation projects and solutions in an urban area that will be important in the future. The situation for the building is typical. Little space around the building, and a need for prefabricated wooden structures, fast assembly and great accuracy. We achieved this. The assembly of the bottom and top structures took only a few hours,” says Magne Aanstad Bjertnæs, Specialist in Timber Structures at Sweco.
Solid wood from Splitkon is used in the floor partitions and glulam in the load-bearing structures.
– Logistics is a challenge in such construction projects. Part of the design work on the elements was therefore to get the elements to fit on a truck. The glulam frames also had to be manufactured and delivered to the nearest millimeter, but Moelven Limtre solved this perfectly. “We scanned existing buildings as a basis for the prefabrication. At the same time, the prefabricated solutions had to have room for adaptation on site. Transitions with the ability to equalize tolerances are also important, especially in transitions to existing buildings,” says Bjertnæs.
Lightweight materials
Formability and low weight are good arguments for using wood for high-rise extensions. Foundations are often the biggest challenge when renovating existing buildings.
– If it is necessary to reinforce the underlying structures, more than two extra floors should be added to make it economically viable. Any additional foundations can be difficult to achieve for existing buildings,” says Magne Bjertnæs. He believes that repetitive patterns and standardization are important for cheap and efficient operation.
– “Perhaps modular solutions on top of existing buildings could be a solution in the future. It should be something to look into,” says Bjertnæs.
Oppatt AS into the cluster
In 2023, Lars Thorsrud started the company Oppatt AS, based in Lillehammer. He can boast long experience in the industry and a large network.
Responsible use of resources
Oppatt AS has developed a modular building system that is produced from residual and reused materials from timber production, the construction industry and recycling stations.
– “We’ve developed a building system that extends the life of materials by creating new links in existing value chains,” says Lars Thorsrud, CEO of Oppatt AS.
-“We need to make full use of what nature gives us and throw away as little as possible. We simply have to rethink and use up,” says Thorsrud.
Sustainable production
Together with the industrial environment at Raufoss, the company has developed production processes adapted to work and inclusion companies.
– The core of Oppatt AS’ idea is to produce building blocks with a patented locking mechanism that are easy to manufacture, assemble and take apart again. In this way, they can be used upside down, in new ways and in new places,” says Thorsrud.
The standardized building blocks are rented out and can be used by organizers and exhibitors at festivals and events. On average, the individual bricks can be used, dismantled and rebuilt at least 20 times before they become so worn that they can be used for bioenergy.
– “It’s of extra value to us that the production of the building blocks can provide content-rich and meaningful working days for skilled people at local job training companies, so it’s win, win with little waste,” says Thorsrud.
Ambitions
Oppatt AS has growth ambitions and is looking to establish itself in 10-12 regions in Scandinavia over the next 3-5 years.
– “We say that we build endless opportunities for people and the environment. We are now looking forward to becoming part of the Norwegian Wood Cluster, where we are happy to contribute our expertise and network to realize the cluster’s opportunities,” says CEO Lars Thorsrud of Oppatt AS.
Interesting player
Cluster leader Berit Sanness welcomes Oppatt AS as a member of Norwegian Wood Cluster.
– “It’s exciting to have Oppatt AS as a member of the cluster. This is an interesting start-up company that is committed to responsible resource use. The Norwegian Wood Cluster will strengthen its circular focus in the future and one of its strategic focus areas is to contribute to better resource utilization and sustainability throughout the value chain. Oppatt AS’s values and solutions fit very well into this picture,” says the cluster leader.
Formally, it is the board of Norwegian Wood Cluster SA that processes applications for membership of the cluster. Oppatt AS was admitted as a member on April 14, 2025.
Annual meeting of Norwegian Wood Cluster
The cluster held its annual meeting at Frich Hotel outside Hamar on May 6, 2025. After the formal business and elections, it was time for the owners’ meeting with very exciting speakers.
At the annual meeting, the chairman of the board, Jan Tore Meren, reported on the work of the cluster.
– We believe the cluster is developing well. Despite a tough market for the member companies, their involvement in the cluster is still very satisfactory. Together we are working well to achieve the cluster’s vision of providing the world with innovative, sustainable building solutions in wood. The plan now is to apply for admission to Innovation Norway’s cluster program for 2026-2028,” said Jan Tore Meren.
– “While Norwegian Wood Cluster started in the Inland region, the cluster is now a national cluster with its main focus in the Inland region. The nomination committee has therefore emphasized reflecting this, said Tor Henrik Kristiansen when he presented the nomination committee’s unanimous recommendation to the annual meeting.
After the annual meeting, the board of Norwegian Wood Cluster consists of:
Chairman of the Board Jan Tore Meren
Deputy Chairman Magne Vikøren, Moelven Industrier ASA
(deputy: Vera Flatebø, Moelven Industrier ASA)
Board member Tarje Braaten, Dynea AS
(deputy: Hans Olav Wedvik, Sparebank 1 Østlandet)
Kristian Hanssen, Forestia AS
(deputy: Jan Helge Nordby, Statskog SF)
Glenn Andre Jensen, Bergene Holm AS
(deputy: Marthe Lie, ARE Treindustrier AS)
Board member Berit Nordseth Moen, Alvdal Skurlag AS
(deputy: Jørn Nørstelien, Gausdal Treindustrier SA)
Øyvind Moshagen, Norconsult Region Innlandet
(deputy: Jørn Reiner, Kontur Arkitekter AS)
Erik Trømborg, NMBU
(deputy: Vibeke Tronrud Teslo-Andersen, Viken Skog SA)
New election committee:
Chairman Mads Severin Lo, DNB Bank ASA
(deputy: Lars Storslett, Moelven Industrier ASA)
Deputy Chairman Ylva Kleiven, Gausdal Treindustrier SA
(pers. dep.: Eva Skagestad, Skogkurs)
Member Anita Ihle, Glommen Mjøsen Skog SA
(deputy: Per Morten Wangen, Stangeskovene AS)
Delivering modular homes to Ukraine
In recent years, Moelven Byggmodul has delivered modules for everything from rigs on tugboats, to parental accommodation at Rikshospitalet and student housing. In 2024, the company delivered module number 100,000 – a milestone. Over the past couple of years, however, Moelven Modular Buildings has also taken a closer look at what the company can do in connection with the reconstruction in Ukraine and has carried out a pilot to gain experience. A task with extra meaning.
Becoming Europe’s largest construction site
With 6.5 million people without permanent housing, the need for new housing in Ukraine is enormous. For the duration of the war, soldiers also need temporary housing to gather strength between the brutal battles on the battlefield. Here, too, the need is great.
– With so many men in the war, there is a labor shortage in the construction sector. Through our research, we became aware of both the importance of prefabricated solutions and access to materials,” said CEO Frode Henning Killi of Moelven Byggmodul. Frode Henning Killi of Moelven Byggmodul to the owners’ meeting in Norwegian Wood Cluster.
From concrete to wood
Ukraine has not been accustomed to wooden buildings, but many now want to switch from concrete to wooden structures to free themselves from Russian building practices.
– However, there are major regional differences and a need to change legislation to enable timber construction, so work needs to be done here,” said Killi.
He emphasized the importance of understanding the culture and how decision-making processes take place. “Moelven has chosen Itera as a partner because Itera has extensive experience of working in Ukraine. It has been a useful collaboration.
A job with meaning
-“Moelven finds it meaningful to work with this. We can build houses, schools, kindergartens etc. to help. In collaboration with our suppliers, we are now running a pilot to test all aspects of deliveries to Ukraine. The house is built from 8 prefabricated modules and will be offered to four doctor families in a municipality with a shortage of doctors. We know that the need for new buildings is formidable. At the moment, however, the financing of new buildings has not been resolved,” said Killi.
– A final reflection; An impressively large part of Ukraine is functioning. One third of Ukraine is hardly affected by war, one third is very affected in terms of many internal refugees and in the last third are the acts of war. That’s the reality in Ukraine now,” said Killi.
Tailored educational offerings for the wood industry
The Norwegian labor market is characterized by high employment and low unemployment, which makes it difficult to recruit new employees with the right skills. The main goal of the Heartwood project has been to improve the skills of employees in the woodworking industry, with special emphasis on lifelong learning, digitalization and advanced manufacturing.
Pressured labor market
After two and a half years of targeted work, the Heartwood project, initiated and led by the Norwegian Wood Cluster, was officially concluded with a successful conference in Mjøstårnet on June 20, 2025. Here it became clear that the results after two and a half years of work, respond well to the industry’s challenges.
A tight labor market makes it difficult to recruit new employees with the right skills. This challenge is further exacerbated in the woodworking industry, which is undergoing rapid technological change and therefore has an increased need to develop the skills of existing employees.
Need for tailored expertise
Through the Heartwood project, it has become clear that there is a significant need for closer cooperation between industry and educational institutions. Ringsaker Upper Secondary School finds that few teachers have a background in the woodworking industry, which makes it challenging to give students a broad insight into the industry. The project concludes that there is a need to establish closer contact between schools and businesses. In particular, it is pointed out that internships should be facilitated, which will lead to concrete cooperation between schools and companies.
– “We’re currently in a situation where we largely have to train people internally in our companies. It’s not just timber anymore, but also a lot of production technology and chemistry that is important to us, Berit Nordseth Moen from Alvdal Skurlag said during the conference. She highlighted the industry’s desire for a flexible part-time offer for a vocational certificate in production technology, especially adapted to the distances in Inland Norway.
Concrete progress and future offers
One of the most important milestones presented during the conference was Innlandet County Council’s response to a new certificate course in production technology, tailored for the woodworking industry. This course will start on January 9, 2026 at Gjøvik, will consist of 10-12 sessions and will combine physical and digital sessions. The county council will also offer a part-time course in logistics.
– We are now setting up an offer that is a direct response to the industry’s needs. It’s crucial to have a flexible offering that meets the needs of the industry and that we can repeat annually. , emphasized Anita Paulsen Barlund, Karriere Innlandet’s contact person for the wood industry.
Focus on micro courses and mentoring
Another key theme during the conference was the development of “micro-courses” and the importance of the mentor role in companies. Treteknisk highlighted the value of shorter, practical training units that can be used during downtime or as part of team building. An important lesson learned was that when companies appoint a mentor who has personal responsibility for the training, both the learning and the ability to implement it increase.
The micro-learning courses were described by several of the companies as “one of the best things to come out of Heartwood”.
“Microcourses address the challenge of limited time for training in everyday life. With a duration of one to three quarters of an hour, planned and unplanned stops can be utilized for competence provision. “, said Hilde Slettvoll, HR Manager at Forestia, Braskereidfoss.
The competence boost of the future
Norwegian Wood Cluster, led by Knut Amund Skatvedt, will continue its work as an important link between the industry and competence providers such as Kompetanse Innlandet and NTNU. The aim is to ensure that the wood industry has the necessary expertise to meet the challenges of the future, especially with regard to increasing automation and the need for interdisciplinary expertise that combines production technology with wood expertise.
“We want to combine the best of two disciplines: modern industrial thinking and in-depth knowledge of wood as a sustainable material,” Skatvedt told the nearly thirty meeting participants.
Closing words from outgoing project manager Karl Einar Røste
“The Heartwood project has shown that, as an industry, the woodworking industry varies greatly in terms of skills needs and work on skills development. What they all have in common is that updated skilled worker competence is important in order to utilize new technology and increasing demands for productivity.
Many companies are facing generational changes that will require a focus on skills transfer and lifelong learning.
In addition to the sharing of experience between companies, the project has provided useful dialogue with Innlandet County Council to find appropriate and sustainable solutions for vocational training.
Participants in the Heartwood project:
Moelven Industrier, Hunton Fiber, G3 Gausdal Treindustrier, Forestia, Begna Bruk
Contact persons:
Berit Sanness, cluster manager Norwegian Wood Cluster, 901 01 843
Berit Nordseth Moen, manager Alvdal Skurlag, 992 20 405
Collecting plastic by the truckload
Timber and building products need to be protected to retain their quality, but the use of plastic packaging is a constant headache. That’s why Blåne AS, Gausdal Treindustrier SA and Gausdal Landhandleri AS are currently collecting plastic film. They are all participating in the “Circular lumber foil” project under the auspices of the Norwegian Wood Cluster.
Expectations for the project
– “In this phase of the project, we are gaining concrete experience with logistics. Østlandet Gjenvinning AS and Litra Containerservice AS will collect the collected plastic and deliver it to Norfolier GreenTec AS’s plant in Folldal,” says logistics manager Paul Erik Hattestad, Gausdal Landhandleri. He says that when the volume is sufficient, Norfolier will produce granules from recycled plastic. The granules will then go to Haagensen Plast AS, which makes the recycled lumber foil. The companies will then test the quality.
– “Of course, we’re excited to see if the quality will be good enough, as we want to solve our packaging needs in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” says Paul Erik Hattestad, who is a member of the “Circular Lumber Foil” project group.
-“This project is fully in line with Gausdal Landhandleri’s sustainability strategy, and we look forward to the results. We have already changed our use of plastic. If it becomes more difficult to recycle plastic with an imprinted logo, we will have to rethink here too,” says Sales and Marketing Manager Unn Elisabeth Tofthagen at Gausdal Landhandleri.
Positive response in department stores
The collection of plastic film is well underway at Gausdal Landhandleri’s department store in Jevnaker, which is one of the largest department stores in the Group. Department store manager Atle Roen says that the largest volume is collected in the store itself, where customers pick out their materials from the shelves.
– At Jevnaker, we also have a large regional warehouse for department stores and end customers in Oslo, Akershus and Buskerud. There is less plastic waste here than in the warehouse, as it is often whole packages that go in and out of the warehouse, but of course we also collect this,” says Roen.
Gausdal Landhandleri is known for good logistics.
“We receive customer-packaged goods wrapped in plastic film directly from Gausdal Treindustrier. This is packed together and sent on. An efficient solution,” says Lars Ole Magnussen, operations manager for the regional warehouse at Jevnaker.
Both Atle Roen and Lars Ole Magnussen are positive about the project and hope for useful results that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from plastic use in the future.
Hope to be able to scale up
Lumber wrap is usually made from a material that is suitable for material recycling. However, a significant proportion of the packaging plastic collected from the construction industry disappears from the cycle and is lost as a raw material for new lumber foil. Collected plastic is often sent for energy recovery.
– “Norwaste is mapping the national situation and providing us with a useful baseline. If the recycled plastic is of satisfactory quality, we have a basis for national upscaling,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl, who recently took over as Norwegian Wood Cluster’s project manager for “Circular lumber foil”.
Project “Circular lumber foil”
The “Circular lumber foil” project is owned by Norwegian Wood Cluster and is carried out in collaboration with Gausdal Treindustrier SA, Gausdal Landhandleri AS, Blåne AS, Østlandet Gjenvinning AS, Litra Containerservice AS, Norfolier GreenTec AS and Haagensen Plast AS. In addition, Norwaste carries out assignments for the project. The cluster’s specialist group Sustainability is the reference group for the project.
The aim of the “Circular lumber foil” project is to develop and test on an industrial scale a closed loop of lumber foil to contribute to reduced resource consumption and increased circularity of plastics in the wood and construction industries. In addition, the project aims to help reduce the use of plastic in the wood and construction industries. The project is supported by Innovation Norway and runs from 2025-2026. Julie Gedde-Dahl is the project manager.