New Technology for Multi-Axial, Slim and High Performance Timber Structures

Project Information

TS3.0

Grant agreement ID: 816913

DOI

10.3030/816913

Project closed

EC signature date 9 May 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 31 August 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

TIMBER STRUCTURES 3.0 AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TS3.0 (New Technology for Multi-Axial, Slim and High Performance Timber Structures)

Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2018-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The construction of buildings is responsible for 36% of EU carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Concrete has been an excellent choice in building construction, yet it produces 0.5 tons of CO2 per 1m3 of concrete used. The EU has already set binding targets for CO2 reduction for which alternative safe, carbon-neutral building methods will be crucial. If a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions is to be achieved, conventional construction practices must be reassessed. Timber presents itself as an alternative to concrete with a much lighter carbon footprint (absorbs and stores 1 ton of CO2 per 1 m3). However, despite offering the potential as a sustainable building material, timber slabs currently only allow a uniaxial load bearing action. Thereby, in comparison to reinforced concrete slabs, timber slabs often result to be thick, expensive and complicated to build. To establish a structural solution equal to concrete slabs, TS3 present their proprietary butt-joint technology capable of biaxial load bearing and the possibility to build timber structural elements at any length and size. This technology represents the next generation of timber construction. Timber slabs now become viable with spans of 8x8m and loads of 500kg/m2, with free-form shells being possible too.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The core aim of our Feasibility Study has been to define a technical roadmap for product optimisation to reach the industrial market, and accelerate and enhance the commerciality and dissemination of the TS3.0 project. Budgets, schedules and tasks were set. A commercial expansion plan has been proposed with a defined role of license partners at each level of the business plan. Risks were identified and mitigation/contingency actions proposed. The market trends show a rising demand for cross-laminated timber slabs and a global increase in the post-crisis construction industry. Our indicators established our key target countries as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, UK, France, Sweden, USA and Canada (with interested parties already established globally). We prepared a realistic business case with no IP threats. The financial estimations provide attractive returns on investments, even in a conservative scenario. Therefore, we will continue with the TS3 project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We expect to reach €28.4 million cumulated revenues five years after its commercialization (2025) and 53 new jobs. Phase 2 will require an investment of close to €3.4 million, which will present a Cumulative Return of Investment of 4.66.

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