Engineered Wood: The Sustainable Revolution in Brazilian Civil Construction

The construction industry, responsible for approximately 37% of global carbon emissions, finds itself compelled to reinvent its practices in response to the climate emergency. In Brazil, engineered wood has emerged as a central agent in this transformation, combining technology, efficiency, and sustainability. With domestic production having expanded by 160% over the past five years, this material challenges centuries-old paradigms of concrete and steel, pointing toward a future in which buildings up to 20 stories may be erected in half the time traditionally required.

What Is Engineered Wood?

Engineered wood is derived from reforested species such as pine and eucalyptus. These raw materials are subjected to industrial processes that eliminate imperfections—such as knots and cracks—and reorient the fibers to form structural panels, beams, and columns. The most widely adopted techniques include Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), used for slabs and walls, and Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam), employed in vertical structural elements.

This methodology enables dry assembly—without the use of water—and contributes to a reduction of 84 million cubic meters of construction waste annually in Brazil. Furthermore, each cubic meter of wood sequesters one metric ton of CO₂, directly supporting global decarbonization targets.

Advantages Driving Adoption

• Speed and Precision: Pilot projects demonstrate that modular assembly reduces timelines by 50%, with structures of up to 1,500 m² completed in under 40 days.

• Sustainability: Replacing conventional materials with engineered wood could reduce the sector’s emissions by 40% by 2050, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• Technical Performance: Engineered wood is resilient to seismic activity and fire (with retardants providing up to 120 minutes of resistance), while also offering superior thermal and acoustic insulation.

  
  

Challenges to Mass Adoption

Despite its significant potential, only 5% of Brazilian companies currently employ this technique. Key barriers include:

• Lack of Skilled Labor: The industry reports a shortage of specialized professionals, necessitating in-house training programs.

• Initial Costs: While offering savings in foundations and finishes, the price per square meter remains approximately 15% higher than that of traditional masonry.

• Nascent Public Policies: Unlike countries such as Austria and Canada, which subsidize the use of engineered wood, Brazil lacks targeted fiscal incentives and specific technical standards, although recent progress has been made through certifications like LEED, which has validated 531 domestic projects.

  
  

Economic and Environmental Impact

Studies conducted by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) confirm that sustainable properties enjoy a rental value appreciation of 4% to 8%, while LEED-certified buildings reduce operational costs by up to 30%. Additionally, incorporating technologies such as solar panels and water reuse systems can generate savings of 20% to 40% in energy and water consumption.

The Future of Sustainable Construction

Experts forecast that global production of engineered wood will grow by 115% over the next decade, driven by innovations such as 3D printing and modular construction, which minimize waste and accelerate delivery timelines. In Brazil, integrating public policies with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda goals is considered critical.

International projects have increasingly focused on energy efficiency, predicting that buildings with solar self-generation capabilities could reduce operational emissions by 50% across Latin America—combining thermal comfort with lower costs. Concurrently, the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) enables real-time monitoring, optimizing resource usage and ensuring environmental compliance.

Green Forest: Sustainability Expertise

With eight years of experience, Green Forest Environmental Consulting has established itself as a leading authority in land regularization and environmental licensing in the state of Pará. Its technical acumen in sustainable projects reinforces the synergy between innovation and regulatory compliance—an essential driver for the advancement of practices such as engineered wood construction within the country.

Sources and References:

1. Como Técnicas de Construção Sustentável Evoluíram ao Longo do Tempo

2. Tendências para construções sustentáveis em 2025

3. Brasil no ranking mundial de construções sustentáveis LEED

4. Políticas públicas para construção sustentável

5. Construção sustentável na América Latina

6. Sustentabilidade na construção civil

7. Tendências da Construção 4.0

8. Green Buildings e certificações