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Institute of

HF Wood Research

Ongoing projects ∙ Impact of Wood Utilization on Environment and Climate

Participation at the Round Tables on Sustainable Building and Ressource Efficiency at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community with provision of Expertise on Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability Assessment

Since several years, the German federal government has been working on implementing the concept of sustainable building in the construction sector: we participate in it and make our expertise available in the area of life cycle and sustainability assessment.

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Standard compliant life cylce assessment data for wooden building products

When processing wood into semi finshed goods, components or buildings, thermal and electrical energy is required and resources are consumed. We calculate the effects on climate and environment associated with industrial wood processing using the product life cycle assessment method according to the ISO EN 14040/44 standard and in accordance with the international standards relevant to sustainable construction.

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Standard compliant life cylce assessment data for wooden building products

Evaluation of the Charter for Wood 2.0

The Charter for Wood 2.0 aims to increase the contribution of sustainable forestry and wood use to climate change mitigation. It contributes to the implementation of the Federal Government’s Climate Action Plan 2050. Strengthening value creation in the forestry & wood cluster and conserving finite resources through sustainable and efficient wood use are further key objectives.

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Evaluation of the Charter for Wood 2.0

Scientific support of the European Standard Committee 'Sustainable Building' (CEN/TC 350) and its national mirror committees (DIN)

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Wood Fibers as peat substitutes

Reducing peat extraction contributes significantly to climate protection. Wood fiber materials can already be used to replace up to 30% of peat in planting substrates. However, several challenges must be overcome to achieve higher substitution rates. We are exploring approaches to increase the substitution rate and expand the raw material base for wood fiber production.

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Wood Fibers as peat substitutes

Life cycle assessment of prefabricated wooden houses: What are the environmental impacts from the forest to the construction site?

The use of wood as a material prolongs the storage of biogenic carbon that has been absorbed from the atmosphere by trees during their growth. The renewable raw material is thus part of the natural carbon cycle and plays a central role in human-induced emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

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Life cycle assessment of prefabricated wooden houses: What are the environmental impacts from the forest to the construction site?

Implementation of new normative requirements for LCA data for wood construction products in the ÖKOBAUDAT database

In order to ensure a continuous monitoring of the climate impacts of timber construction products, the LCA data, which are regularly provided by the Thünen Institute of Wood Research, are fully updated.

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Completed projects

Building materials for affordable housing ​made from bio-based and recycling resources (BioHome)

"BioHome - Building materials for social housing from bio-based and recycled raw materials" is a three-country research and teaching project with the aim of developing the first composite materials based on bio- and secondary raw materials in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. BioHome integrates into the strategy project of the Federal German government "Partnerships for sustainable solutions with Sub-Saharan Africa" and is coordinated by the Thünen Institute.

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Building materials for affordable housing ​made from bio-based and recycling resources (BioHome)

Database for Assessing a Sustainable and Efficient Use of Wood in the German Building Sector

Database for the Evaluation of a Eustainable and Efficient Use of Wood in the German Construction Sector

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The climate change mitigation potential of wood usage in new residential buildings

As building material, the renewable resource wood can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In line with the international standards applicable to the construction sector, we quantify the greenhouse gas mitigation potential associated with wood use in new residential buildings.

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The environmental impact of insulating materials from renewable resources

Thermal insulation is demanded and promoted by the government's policy. Compared to conventional insulating materials (such as polystyrene or mineral wool) insulating materials from renewable resources do not only convince due to their performance in terms of heat storage capacity, but they also seem to be a good alternative when it comes to sustainability issues.

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The environmental impact of insulating materials from renewable resources

The future of global climate protection regime in the forest wood sector

To still meet the 2-degree limit of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the reduction of emissions from industry and energy industry is not sufficient alone. Emissions from deforestation, especially in the tropics, and unsustainable land uses worldwide are relevant sources of greenhouse gases.

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Special editing office for Wooden building products in the Ecological building material information system WECOBIS in the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development

Special editing office for Wooden building products in the Ecological building material information system WECOBIS in the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development

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Life Cycle Data of Wooden Buildings

Wood as a natural building material enjoys great popularity in the construction of single-family homes. However, also the construction of prefabricated timber houses consumes natural resources and has an ecological footprint. How can the environmental impact be quantified?

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Life Cycle Data of Wooden Buildings

Life Cycle Assessment of Furniture

Furniture buyers could be more environmentally conscious, if there is better information on environmental impacts available. In future customers can decide knowledge-based because scientists at the Thünen-Institute are working on a systematic life cycle assessment approach for furniture. Also the manufacturers can make sound operational decisions based on the life cycle assessment information.

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Life Cycle Assessment of Furniture

Reducing energy consumption in the sawmilling industry

Energy efficiency targets are high on the political agenda . We provide the necessary tools so that European sawmills can play their part.

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Reducing energy consumption in the sawmilling industry

Strengthening renewable raw materials in the insulation market

Renewable raw materials (NawaRo) as insulating materials are a healthy and ecological alternative to conventional materials. However, their name recognition and market share are still low. StaR-Dämm combines research and politics through technical discussions in order to promote forward-looking solutions for energy-efficient renovation.

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Climat protection through an increased utilization of wood

The forest-based sector in the European Union can significantly contribute to climate protection. On the basis of scenarios we show how this contribution to climate protection could be increased and put the results into a policy context.

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Climat protection through an increased utilization of wood
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