While wood might be considered one of the Earth's ultimate renewable resources, the focus on sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices has never been more important to ensure it remains that way. At Timberlink, a local producer of sustainably grown Radiata Pine, the company holds a desire to manufacture world-class timber products that make a positive impact on future generations safely and efficiently.

In 2020, Timberlink set science-based targets to reduce its greenhouse emissions, verified by Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), and committed to reducing scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions per cubic metre by 53 percent by 2030.

This year, Timberlink is about to reach another milestone – and advance its science-led sustainability agenda – as it finalises the construction of Australia’s first combined Radia Pine Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing facility.

CLT panels are a strong, rigid, dimensionally stable building product that offers versatility for designers to specify as roof, floor and wall structures. GLT, on the other hand, is a high-performing structural member perfect for beams, columns, frames and truss members.

The new, purpose-built plant is being erected right next to the existing Timberlink facility in Tarpeena, South Australia. Nearing completion, Timberlink unveiled plans to release the new engineered wood products (EWPs) building solutions range, under the brand NeXTimber® back in 2021. This month, the plant will kick off production, marking a step-change for the Australian company.

“Traditionally, Timberlink’s sawn timber products are primarily used in commercial and residential construction and industrial remanufacturing applications,” says David Oliver, GM Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs at Timberlink.

“Typical uses include house framing, pergolas, decks, landscaping, pallets and through use of our residue streams in packaging and paper. The introduction of NeXTimber® will see us begin to manufacture Australian-made engineered wood products and provide mass timber building solutions with CLT panels and GLT members.”

When quizzed about the significance of NeXTimber®, Oliver says it serves to benefit the wider industry and built environment as a whole.

“The combined CLT and GLT plant we’re constructing in Australia will help Australia become more self-sufficient by reducing reliance on mass timber imports,” he says.

“Having a local manufacturing facility will be beneficial on a few levels. It will give industry professionals more flexibility in lead times, reduce risk to project budgets and timelines and can remove restrictions on size sections which can be imposed by shipping container limits, which in turn, allows for more flexibility in design.”

Furthermore, the facility has the potential to assist in the decarbonisation of Australia’s construction industry.

“NeXTimber® CLT panels and GLT members are made from certified, local Australian plantation pine which sequesters carbon from the atmosphere,” Oliver continues.

“Because of that, NeXTimber® mass timber solutions provide architects and design professionals with a crucial opportunity to reduce the embodied carbon of their projects.”

As well as providing the environmental and biophilic benefits of traditional timber, the new products have the strength to support taller, more complex structures than traditional timber products.

Both CLT and GLT are made from consistent, high-grade feedstock, and are structurally graded to AS/ NZS 1748.1. Dual sustainability certifications of timber feedstock ensure peace of mind for architects, construction professionals and specifiers looking to support the responsible management of forests.

Trevor Innes, GM of Sustainability & Technical at Timberlink, says sustainability is a pillar of the entire company’s operation.

“We see sustainability focus, commitment and performance as essential to the long-term success of Timberlink,” he says.

“This commitment is visible through our significant investments in NeXTimber, and locally manufacturing products that enable the wider industry to lock carbon up in our built structures.”