Watch: A sustainable construction material is reinvented at UC Berkeley’s Wood Lab

UC Berkeley’s Wood Lab, led by co-director Paul Mayencourt, is promoting mechanically laminated timber (MLT), a cost-effective wood panel system widely used in Europe but underutilized in the U.S. Mayencourt, an assistant professor and cooperative extension specialist, collaborates with local lumber businesses to expand MLT adoption, including partnering with Humboldt County’s Mad River Mass Timber to produce dowel-laminated timber, a recyclable MLT variant. The innovation aims to address California’s dual crises of wildfire risk and affordable housing by leveraging underused forest materials.

California’s forests face severe wildfire threats due to overgrowth, prompting a state task force to target 1.25 million acres of annual forest thinning. However, the state’s dwindling forestry infrastructure struggles to process excess wood. MLT offers a solution by utilizing small-diameter trees, salvaged wood, and sustainably harvested timber without adhesives or heavy machinery, reducing startup costs to as low as $1,000. The material’s production aligns with California’s evolving building codes, now permitting MLT in structures up to 18 stories.

Engineered wood products like MLT significantly reduce environmental impact compared to concrete and steel, which account for 11%-15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A 2024 study found that buildings made with engineered wood lowered global warming potential by 31% compared to reinforced concrete and 46% compared to steel. Mayencourt’s team has designed affordable housing solutions using MLT, including barracks for wildfire-fighting crews, demonstrating the material’s versatility and sustainability in construction.

Mad River Mass Timber, a Humboldt County company, became the first in the nation to commercially produce dowel-laminated timber after partnering with UC Berkeley. In June, the company announced plans to hire 30 additional employees for a new facility, reflecting growing industry interest. Mayencourt continues to train private individuals and businesses on MLT, emphasizing its potential to bolster rural economies, improve forest health, and support California’s climate goals.