The Swedish concrete element manufacturer Heidelberg Materials Precast Contiga and Metsä Wood have developed a hybrid wall element with a lower carbon footprint than conventional concrete wall elements. Now, the element solution is ready for use in real construction projects.
The hybrid wall element is a facade element in a sandwich construction, featuring an outer layer made of climate-improved concrete, intermediate insulation, and a load-bearing inner panel made of strong and material-efficient laminated veneer lumber, Kerto LVL. The element has approximately 30-50% lower climate impact compared to an equivalent traditional concrete sandwich element, and it is significantly lighter, which also affects the overall climate impact of the entire construction project.
To practically test how the hybrid wall functions, a real house has been constructed on the factory premises in Norrtälje using these new elements. The test building is equipped with moisture sensors to monitor what happens inside the wall elements, and so far, no moisture has been detected. Additionally, various solutions for installations have been tested within the building.
The hybrid wall element is particularly suitable for buildings with up to five floors. These can include residential buildings, offices, healthcare facilities, or schools.
Metsä Wood is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of engineered wood products.
