Shanghai, December 8th, 2023 – Business Sweden, in collaboration with Swedish Wood and European Wood, successfully hosted a seminar in Shanghai dedicated to advancing wood construction practices in China. The event, organized under the umbrella of the Pioneer the possible platform, highlighted the growing interest and potential for sustainable wooden structures in the country.

With a strong historical foundation in wooden construction, both Sweden and the broader Nordic region have witnessed a surge in awareness of the significant technical and environmental advantages offered by wood. In Sweden, this awareness has translated into the construction of increasingly taller structures, including high-rises, sports halls, and road bridges, all incorporating wooden structural frames. Today, modern construction of multi-storey buildings in wood has a market share of 10% in Sweden and interest continues to grow and grow.

The seminar featured insightful presentations from key industry players, including Swedish Wood, Sweco, and the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Swedish Wood shared the latest developments in wood construction from Sweden and Europe, while Sweco showcased their involvement in noteworthy wood projects, including those in China. The IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute introduced innovative tools designed to calculate the environmental impact in construction sector.

Chinese companies at the forefront of modern wood construction, such as Crownhomes, Treezo, Linlang Woodtech & Manmu Technology, along with leading researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, contributed their expertise during the seminar. Despite timber construction holding a small market share in China, the top management representatives from these prominent companies expressed optimism about the sustainable growth of wood construction in the country.

Approximately 70 guests attended the seminar. Representatives from Swedish wood companies, including Bergkvist Siljan, Setra, Moelven, Holmen, SCA, and Sodra, actively participated in the event, further strengthening the collaborative efforts between Swedish and Chinese stakeholders in advancing sustainable construction practices.