Woodland News

In recent years, wood products have been making headlines in surprising ways, from the world’s first wooden satellite to now, Microsoft’s pioneering use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for data centers. These advancements showcase the versatility and sustainability of wood, carving out a path for timber as a solution to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. This shift not only represents innovation but also offers significant opportunities for forest landowners and the wood products industry.

Microsoft is exploring the use of fire-resistant cross-laminated timber (CLT) in its quest to construct greener data centers, starting with a project in northern Virginia. By incorporating CLT into a hybrid construction model, Microsoft estimates a reduction in the total greenhouse gas emissions produced during the lifecycle of a material or product, up until the point it’s ready for use by up to 65% compared to conventional concrete-based builds.

This move aligns with Microsoft’s ambitious goals to become carbon negative by 2030 and offset all its historical emissions by 2050. The integration of CLT in their infrastructure demonstrates a significant step toward decarbonizing construction while maintaining structural integrity and efficiency.

What Makes CLT So Revolutionary?

Cross-laminated timber is a prefabricated, engineered wood product made by layering kiln-dried lumber boards in alternating directions, bonding them with adhesives, and pressing them to create strong, stable panels. Its unique properties include:

• Strength and Versatility: CLT rivals steel and concrete in load-bearing capacity, making it suitable for large-scale structures.
• Sustainability: As a renewable material, CLT significantly reduces the carbon footprint of construction projects.
• Fire Resistance: Contrary to intuition, CLT has excellent fire resistance due to the charring behavior of large timber, which protects its core.
• Ease of Use: Prefabricated CLT panels are easy to transport, cut, and install, minimizing waste on-site.

While initially developed using softwoods, recent advancements—such as Virginia Tech’s use of yellow-poplar—highlight the potential for hardwood CLT in construction, opening new markets for hardwood timber.

Microsoft’s embrace of CLT for its data centers represents a broader trend of merging sustainable forestry products with high-tech innovation. Similar to how Japan’s LignoSat satellite used honoki wood to reduce pollution and explore wood’s durability in space, Microsoft is using CLT to address the emissions challenges tied to data center construction.

Additionally, Microsoft is investing in complementary innovations, such as zero-carbon cement and renewable steel production, ensuring that wood becomes part of a holistic approach to green construction.

These developments are exciting news for the timber industry and forest landowners. The growing interest in wood as a sustainable material in both technology and construction creates new markets for timber resources, especially hardwood species. For landowners, this signals increased demand for sustainably managed forests, adding economic incentives to stewardship practices that maintain healthy ecosystems.

Moreover, the introduction of CLT in projects like data centers and satellites highlights the potential for wood to support cutting-edge industries while delivering environmental benefits.