Structurlam Is First Canadian Cross-Laminated Timber Manufacturer To Earn SFI Chain-of-Custody Certification

OTTAWA, Aug. 23, 2017 /CNW/ -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that Structurlam is the first Canadian manufacturer of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to be certified to the SFI 2015?2019 Chain-of-Custody Standard. Structurlam blends the expertise of wood science with the ingenuity of European fabrication to produce mass timber products including CLT, the next-generation of engineered wood products. Structurlam has manufactured CLT for six years and supplied the product to over 350 projects in North America. Extensively tested, the product has vast applications for construction.

"We are excited that Structurlam is the first CLT manufacturer in Canada to be certified to the SFI Chain of Custody Standard. A few months ago I had the opportunity to visit Structurlam's site and was impressed with their commitment to sustainability and the innovation driving their product development. Many of Structurlam's suppliers manage forestlands certified to SFI so it is great to know that Structurlam will continue to source and build with SFI certified materials," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. 

Architects and builders choose wood because it looks great, has numerous environmental characteristics ? including renewability ? and it's easy to work with. In addition, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, sequestering and storing the carbon while producing oxygen which reduces greenhouse gases and improves air quality.

"Wood is the only renewable building resource we have. If we sustainably manage the forest then we'll have unlimited materials to create beautiful buildings that can potentially last for generations," said Bill Downing, President of Structurlam. "We're looking forward to leveraging our SFI chain-of-custody certification to expand into new markets."

Structurlam produces CLT at its Penticton facility in Southern BC's Okanagan region. The company is part of a global movement to use wood in mid- and high-rise buildings. Advances in technology are producing more engineered-wood and mass timber products that increase the capabilities of building with wood.

A showcase project for Structurlam is the University of British Columbia's Brock Commons. This 18-storey student residence stands 53 metres tall and is the tallest wood structure in the world. The mass timber structure was completed in just 66 days. Over 460 CrossLam® CLT panels were used during the building process along with over 1,300 Glulam columns, a structural timber product manufactured by gluing together individual pieces of lumber.

Structurlam will also be able to use chain-of-custody certification to position itself as a supplier in the green building market that is officially recognized by green building rating systems. Wood products sold as certified under the SFI Chain-of-Custody Standard allow CrossLam® CLT to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits through the LEED Alternative Compliance Path or credits through the Green Globes Rating System.

Structurlam's products are also ideal for smaller projects. The Zangari Residence in Seattle used 67 prefabricated CrossLam® CLT panels, which were delivered and installed in 12 days. It was designed by Susan Jones for her family. She is Principal Architect at the architecture firm atelierjones.

"When you walk inside a building that features wood you get a feeling of relaxation ? the smell of the wood, wood on floors and ceilings, all very much integrated with nature. We wanted our home to be an example of how to build lightly with wood in a sustainable way in the city and still capture the fundamental connection with nature that people instinctively have," Jones said.

Jones will be a keynote speaker at the 2017 SFI Annual Conference in Ottawa Sep. 27-29. She will talk about the importance of well-managed forests for clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, commercially valuable products like wood, and sequestering and storing carbon. Jones supports sustainability by using cross-laminated timber in her architectural designs.

About the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Inc.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a sustainability leader that stands for future forests. SFI® is an independent, non-profit organization that works with countless individuals who share our commitment to healthy forests, responsible purchasing and sustainable communities. SFI oversees the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program and the SFI Forest Partners® Program, which brings landowners and brandowners together to provide supply chain assurances, including the use of forest certification standards. SFI works collaboratively with the forest sector, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, government agencies, universities, educators, and youth. Project Learning Tree (PLT) became a program of SFI in 2017, bringing over forty years of experience in developing students' awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the environment. SFI Inc. is governed by an independent three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social and economic sectors equally. Forests affect us all. Caring for them improves our quality of life. Learn more at sfiprogram.org.

About Structurlam
Structurlam is a provider of the most innovative and cost-effective structural laminated mass timber solutions. Structurlam's mass timber solutions cover the spectrum from simple beams and panels to the most complex and beautiful mass timber structures in the world. Their value-added production includes the best people and state-of-the art technology coming together to create glue-laminated beams and cross-laminated panels showcasing premium British Columbian fibre. Using mass timber for both its strength and beauty, Structurlam works closely with customers to create complete solutions including connection design, engineering and installation. The company's world-class reputation is a result of more than 50 years of innovation and quality. For more information, please visit www.structurlam.com.

SOURCE Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.