UK CLT & Glulam
Explore the speed and quality of UK Mass Timber.
We provide the expertise, research, and manufacturing capabilities to make UK Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam the sustainable construction material of first choice.
Through the Mass Timber Centre of Excellence and Transforming Timber, we have spent the last 5 years disproving myths and advancing research. This work verified that UK-grown Sitka Spruce meets Eurocode 5 structural requirements, proving it is perfectly suited for high-performance CLT and Glulam applications.
Our CLT manufacturing, consultancy and research centre is shifting the market from imported reliance to a circular, homegrown economy.
What is UK-Grown CLT and Glulam?
Currently the two most dominant mass timber systems in the UK market, locally produced CLT and Glulam are both mass timber products engineered to serve different purposes while utilising the 60% of UK softwood production found in Scotland.
Engineered for strength and speed, UK CLT panels utilise homegrown softwoods and hardwoods to create large-format structural walls, floors, and roofs. Glulam beams are wood layers glued together parallel, creating a long, narrow but high-strength product for beams, columns, and trusses.
Both offer a high-strength alternative to steel. Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University determined that timber grown in Scotland that is strength graded to C16 demonstrates enhanced properties compared to imported C16, specifically in bending strength and timber density, resulting in the strength class C16+
Why choose CLT or Glulam for construction?
Performance: Fully compliant with structural safety standards.
Versatility: Ideal for load-bearing beams and columns in low-to-medium rise developments.
Speed: A specific UK housing project utilising a volumetric timber system was able to demonstrate a 50% faster build time compared to traditional construction methods.
Cost Efficiency: Imported timber carries a premium. Homegrown C16 graded timber is currently £50/m³ cheaper than imported C24 alternatives. CLT made from C16 is suitable for many projects. We help you leverage these savings without compromising on structural integrity.
Supply Chain Security: The UK currently imports 81% of its wood raw materials. By specifying UK CLT, you insulate your project from global supply chain volatility and support the domestic forestry sector.
Occupant experience: Occupants in surveyed UK mass timber buildings consistently report feeling more relaxed and comfortable.
The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence has the capacity to manufacture both with precision for a variety of purposes.
Why is local mass timber sustainable?
Building with UK mass timber isn't just carbon neutral, it's carbon negative.
Carbon Storage: Our mass timber stores 676 kg of CO₂ per m³.
Net Sink: Homegrown volumetric units achieve a net carbon sink of -142 kgCO₂/m², compared to +612 kgCO₂/m² for brick and block.
Reduced Miles: Eliminate the carbon cost of shipping timber from Europe.
Real-world examples of UK CLT and Glulam delivering excellence.
Manufacturing capabilities at BE-ST
We are not just researching, we also have CLT manufacturing capabilities. The UK’s only large-format vacuum press for manufacturing mass timber products is located at the BE-ST facility in Scotland. The vacuum press can handle CLT panels up to 13m x 3m.
With a proven track record of delivering projects with from UK grown timber, the BE-ST Mass Timber Centre of Excellence is rapidly expanding UK production capacity.
Current Trajectory: scaling from 2,000 m³ to 8,000 m³ annually per shift by 2026.
Future Potential: Fully automated capacity of 12,000 m³ - enough to build 1,000 NearHome units per year.
Ready to build better with UK CLT?