Timber construction is being increasingly promoted as a way to address both Europe’s housing shortage and its decarbonisation goals, according to Dr Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Speaking on The Big Question, Bhattacharjee argued that engineered timber could support the delivery of lower-cost, lower-carbon homes at a time when Europe needs to build more than two million homes annually to meet demand.
The discussion comes as policymakers and developers seek alternatives to traditional construction materials. According to the article, the construction sector is responsible for more than 35% of the EU’s waste generation, while building materials and construction activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Bhattacharjee said advances in engineered wood products have addressed many of the historic concerns surrounding timber construction. She noted:“There need not be a quality compromise, because recent innovations in engineered wood creates stronger and more versatile structures.” She added that engineered timber provides a material that is“both weather resistant, fire resistant, lighter, and yet stronger.”
The article also highlights timber’s potential cost advantages. Bhattacharjee suggested timber homes can be up to 25% cheaper than traditionally constructed properties, largely due to lighter materials, lower transport costs and the ability to use prefabricated systems. She explained: “The cost differential comes because first, the transportation costs are lower – it’s lighter to handle. Your on-site labour costs are lowered because you can bring in prefabricated structures and that results first in the buildings or the construction getting done faster, but also lowering your insurance costs for the duration of the construction.”
While insurance remains a challenge for some timber projects, Bhattacharjee believes attitudes are changing as insurers become more familiar with engineered wood products. She said:“The insurers need to be educated about the new timber products – the engineered timber products which are fire resistant and which can hold up against fire risks.” Adding that:“So it is only a matter of time before the insurance industry catches up.”
Beyond housing delivery, timber construction is also viewed as an economic opportunity. Bhattacharjee described engineered timber as a fast-growing market and highlighted its potential to support employment, manufacturing and rural economies throughout the supply chain. She said:“North America and Europe are the two markets where timber construction is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. It is a $5 billion (€4.32bn) market that’s growing at 10% on average per year. So the potential is huge.”
However, she stressed that growth must be underpinned by responsible forestry and sustainable sourcing. Rather than replacing other materials entirely, Bhattacharjee advocated a balanced approach, stating:“What would be an ideal scenario would be low-carbon cement, recycled steel and construction timber complementing in bringing down the carbon footprint of the entire sector and contributing to low-cost housing that is needed.”
For the offsite sector, the debate reinforces the growing role of timber-frame and engineered timber systems in delivering faster, lower-carbon housing, while highlighting the importance of sustainable supply chains and wider industry support to unlock future growth.
