Glue-laminated wood
Glued-laminated timber as a structural material
At Innoventum, we use glulam in our towers and solar-powered carports to combine structural performance with architectural quality. Our goal is to develop renewable energy solutions that are both technically sound and harmonize with their surroundings.
By choosing wood over steel and concrete, we create structures with a lower environmental impact, high load-bearing capacity, and a natural aesthetic that blends seamlessly into both urban and rural settings.
Why Glulam?
Glued-laminated timber is a structural material with proven strength and predictable performance. By gluing together selected wood lamellas, a homogeneous and strong load-bearing structure is created that can be designed in accordance with Eurocodes.
The material combines low weight with high strength and is well suited for both tall towers and larger spans in carport structures.
1. Architecture and Function in Harmony
Glued-laminated timber allows for free-form designs and precise dimensions. It results in structures that appear lightweight yet have a high load-bearing capacity.
- Seamless integration into the landscape and built environment
- Ability to create curved and sculptural shapes
- Aging while maintaining structural function
2. Vibration Damping and Noise
The cellular structure of wood provides natural vibration damping. In our wind towers, this helps reduce the transmission of high-frequency vibrations and results in a lower perceived noise level compared to conventional steel structures.
3. Fire performance
Solid wood has a predictable fire behavior. In the event of a fire, a char layer forms that insulates the load-bearing core, making it possible to design the structure to maintain its load-bearing capacity for a defined period of time.
Unlike unprotected steel, which rapidly loses its strength at high temperatures, glued laminated timber retains its structural integrity for a longer period of time.
Climate performance and embodied carbon
Glued laminated timber is a bio-based construction material that acts as a long-term carbon sink. As the tree grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and this carbon is stored in the wood’s structure throughout the structure’s entire lifespan.
Since approximately 50 percent of wood’s dry weight consists of carbon, this means that every cubic meter of glulam sequesters significant amounts of CO₂. When the material is used in load-bearing structures, such as towers and solar carports, this carbon is stored for decades.
Lower embodied energy
The production of glulam requires significantly less energy than the production of steel and concrete. This means:
- Lower embedded emissions per load-bearing unit
- Lower carbon footprint during the project's construction phase
- Improved life cycle performance in LCA analyses
Because our structures are designed for a long service life, the environmental impact of the materials is spread out over many years of energy production.
System effect: materials + foundation
The climate performance is further enhanced by the combination of glulam and ground-screw foundations.
- No concrete is required
- Significantly lower CO₂ emissions from the foundation work
- Reversible installation with minimal impact on the ground
This reduces both inherent emissions and the environmental impact on-site compared to traditional solutions made of steel and cast concrete.
Lifecycle climate benefits
When glulam is used in combination with local solar or wind power generation, it creates a twofold climate benefit:
- Stored carbon in the structure
- Emissions reductions through renewable energy production
The result is an energy infrastructure with a low embedded carbon footprint and long-term emissions reductions throughout its operational life.
Swedish engineering in action
Innoventum’s structures are designed and engineered in Sweden with a focus on strength, durability, and system performance. Our towers and solar carports are calculated in accordance with current Eurocodes and adapted to local wind and snow loads.
By combining glulam as a structural material with modern aerodynamics, structural analysis, and integrated energy technology, we create solutions where material selection, design, and energy production work in harmony.
The result is energy infrastructure with a low embedded carbon footprint, a long technical lifespan, and predictable performance over time.