In the construction industry, ideas or materials first seen on the margins of construction processes later become an established part of those processes. …And so it seems to be with Mass Timber Construction (MTC). MTC entered the construction industry as an intriguing approach to reduce embodied carbon. …Today, MTC has become a mainstream building method. Across North America, there are reportedly 2,500 MTC buildings already built or in the planning stages. Similar levels of acceptance are seen in Europe. The world’s leading architects and designers have embraced MTC by incorporating wood components into a wide range of building types and sizes, from commercial offices to housing, campuses, infrastructure and even data centres. Interest and acceptance have moved beyond the pure environmental benefits of using MTC. Economics, simple dollars and cents, are now recognized as a persuasive factor as well. This is because mass timber changes the mechanics of construction.
The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) has released the 2025 editions of the National Model Codes which bring forward new revisions but some provinces – such as BC – have already implemented new standards or have outstripped the current codes. “The 2025 National Model Codes aim to create a harmonized framework that addresses building safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and climate adaptation,” said Silvia Garcia, co-chair of the CBHCC. The 2025 National Model Codes include the National Building Code (NBC), National Energy Code, National Plumbing Code and National Fire Code. …BC‘s building code (BCBC) allowed 18-storey encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC) in 2024 with Ontario joining in a year later. The 2020 NBC set the structures at 12 storeys and 42 metres in height while the new 2025 NBC code retains the 12 storeys (for residential or Group C structures and office occupancies or Group D) but raises the height to 50 metres.
The federal government is looking for a hub to build modular homes for the Arctic. Prince George, with its forestry infrastructure, industrial base and transportation networks, is being considered as a possible site for that industry. Mayor Simon Yu [said] the city has everything it needs to create a new industry for the region. “We have to seize the moment,” said Yu. “For housing developments up in the Arctic, Prince George will be the centre of action. …This is a key to solve our lumber problem. We’ve got the wood, we’ve got the technology, we have a university here, we have a research program, we have CNC here, we have the workers and we will get this modular home factory going. We need to add value to wood products to create jobs right here and build houses for our overseas markets as well as for Canada.”
In this naturally:wood newsletter you’ll find the following stories:
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On this episode of This is Oregon Podcast, we’re joined by Judith Sheine, Professor of Architecture and Director of Design of the TallWood Design Institute at the University of Oregon. She shares her work with helping mass timber become more accessible and discusses it potential to create affordable, sustainable housing. Sheine also discusses the challenges and opportunities in advancing mass timber development and what its future could look like for the Pacific Northwest and homeowners. This is part two of our conversation with Judith Sheine. Part one is titled: 
ST. LOUIS — What is the life cycle of a building? Each year, in the United States, new home construction accounts for 50 million tons of carbon emissions. The majority stem from harvesting, manufacturing and transporting building materials — from lumber and masonry to glass and tile to roofing and mechanical systems. But what happens at the end of the cycle? When a building is no longer inhabitable or needed, what happens to all the energy invested in those materials? “It’s demolished,” Hongxi Yin said. “It goes to the landfill.” Yin, an expert on sustainable construction, is the InCEES professor in advanced building systems and architectural design in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. Over the last decade, he has led a series of research studios exploring ways to improve building efficiency, supply chains and construction processes. 
TIANJIN, CHINA — The global movement against single-use plastics has triggered a significant transformation in the disposable tableware industry, with wood cutlery emerging as a leading alternative. As regulations tighten and consumer preferences shift toward eco-friendly options, manufacturers of disposable wooden utensils are experiencing unprecedented growth and facing new challenges in scaling production, ensuring sustainability, and meeting diverse international standards. Market analysts observe that regulatory pressure represents the primary driver for this sector’s expansion. The European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, along with similar legislation in Canada, Australia, and numerous U.S. states, has created a substantial and sustained demand for compliant alternatives. Within this regulatory framework, wood, particularly from fast-growing, sustainably managed sources like birch and bamboo, has gained favor for its natural composition, biodegradability, and perceived premium feel compared to other alternatives.
Each year, the event brings together leading voices from across the global pulp value chain to examine emerging trends, innovations, and the market forces shaping the industry. The 2026 program will feature dynamic discussions on strategy, markets, technology, sustainability, supply chains, and the broader role of pulp-based materials. Speakers have the opportunity to share their insights with a highly engaged international audience. We encourage proposals and topic ideas that can deepen insight and spark meaningful dialogue. Registration for the 21st edition of IPW is now open, and you can benefit from the Early Bird rate until February 16. More details are available on the registration page.
The French Union of Timber Industries and Builders (UICB) and the French Timber Trade Association (LCB) are joining forces to create the UICCB – the Union of Construction and Timber Trade Industries. The synergy created by the merger of these two major players in the French forestry and timber sector will support the development of companies in the sector, which are naturally committed to decarbonizing the construction process. The new group took shape in December 2025 after a year of discussions and collaboration between the business leaders who head the governing bodies of the UICB and LCB. …The merger of the two entities will… enable them to acquire a stronger position within the emerging forestry and wood sector. …With this ecosystem of complementary professions, the UICCB now stands as the only independent professional organization dedicated to the development of wood construction throughout France.
Japan-based materials experts have made impressive progress in the search for a better biodegradable plastic. The breakthrough starts with an abundant material: cellulose from wood pulp. Takuzo Aida, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science research lead, said in a news release that “about one trillion tons” are naturally produced annually. Using it successfully as part of a new plastic could have a widespread impact, because most types of the material take decades to hundreds of years to break down. “This technology will help protect the Earth from plastic pollution,” Aida said in the RIKEN report. …Unlike other biodegradable plastics, RIKEN’s innovation also eliminates harmful microplastics, tiny particles that have saturated our world — found in soil, oceans, and even our bodies.