Wood: The Building Material of the Future?

Please RSVP to expedite check-in A live webcast will be streamed at 3:00 PM EDT at www.eesi.org/livecast (wireless connection permitting) In recognition of National Forest Products Week, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to learn more about an innovative class of structural wood building materials, known as mass timber, which is poised to open up new markets for sustainable, domestic forestry products. Mass-timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) (dubbed "plywood on steroids"), consist of lumber panels layered and joined together, creating a strong, safe, and sustainable building material. The unique properties of mass timber differentiate it from light-frame construction and include fire safety, resistance to seismic and explosive forces, thermal performance, and aesthetics. A light, renewable material, its use not only lowers carbon emissions from the building sector but also provides long-term carbon storage—turning buildings into carbon sinks. Policymakers are interested in mass timber for its role in rural economic development, forest health and preservation, resilient infrastructure, and climate change mitigation. This briefing will bring together experts to tell the emerging story of the U.S. mass timber industry and how to capitalize on its potential.