News | 9
Irish board producer highlights UK timber frame sector compliance confusion
number one challenge
Above: Journalists, including Stephen Powney of WBPI, joined MEDITE SMARTPLY and the STA at a briefing for the new report in central London
MEDITE SMARTPLY, producer of OSB and MDF in Ireland, has joined with the Structural Timber Association (STA) in publishing a new report about how UK timber frame house manufacturers are being burdened by growing regulatory pressures. The Framing the Future: The state of timber fame construction report, captures responses from more than 80 UK timber frame manufacturers, highlighting a disconnect between government policy ambition and the practical realities of
delivery of new houses. WBPI joined with other news organisations for the launch of the report in central London. Key results include:
• 39% of timber frame manufacturers are building above regulation levels but feel ignored by policy
• 49% did not disclose their pre-manufactured value (PMV) score, citing confusion
• 73% reported skilled labour shortages across their workforce
• 43% ranked fire performance as their
• 81% want OSB sheathing panels with integrated fire resistance The report says net zero targets are adding to complexity, with the Future Homes Standard set to be introduced this year, requiring new build homes to incorporate low-carbon heating and energy efficiency. A key concern is confusion around PMV scores – a metric important to modern methods of construction (MMC) funding models.
Nearly half of survey respondents declined to disclose their PMV score, citing unclear definitions, lack of relevance to small scale operations or uncertainty about how the figure is calculated. There is no standardised industry process for calculation.
Manufacturers also perceive that policy frameworks such as the Future Homes Standard are increasingly geared toward volume developers. This is leaving smaller manufacturers, many of which are already building above-regulation, struggling to see where they
fit into the picture. “The industry isn’t short on
innovation or intention, but a lack of clarity is knocking confidence,” said Roly Ward, head of business development at MEDITE SMARTPLY. “We’re hearing a clear message from the sector: manufacturers are being asked to move fast without clear footing. That’s not sustainable.”
“Fire safety is a prime example. It remains the number one challenge for almost half of respondents, yet testing regimes aren’t clearly defined and insurers still lack confidence. That’s a risky bottleneck. If we want MMC to scale, we need regulatory clarity, joined- up standards, and products that simplify the compliance journey, not complicate it further.” Many manufacturers expressed interest in multi-functional solutions that reduce the need for layered materials and on-site adaptations by streamlining compliance across airtightness, thermal performance and buildability.
Metsä Group to build R&D lab for veneer-based wood products
Above: Metsä Group’s R&D facility will be located alongside the new Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski
Metsä Group is constructing a research and development laboratory in Äänekoski, Finland, dedicated to developing veneer-based wood products.
The new facility will be located alongside the new
Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski. The laboratory is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the investment value is approximately €6m. The laboratory will be a test environment for researching
and developing new high- value veneer-based wood products in collaboration with Metsä Group’s partner network. The investment will establish the conditions for testing material-efficient load- bearing structures and enable product research based on a broader raw material base. “We are enhancing the production process of our products to improve material efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” said Jaakko Anttila, executive vice- president of Metsä Wood. “ “We aim to utilise our
raw materials precisely and
generate the highest possible added value. With the new research and development laboratory, the lead time of our research and development projects will be significantly shortened, accelerating the development of our product portfolio in the long term,” he said. The Äänekoski mill area in Finland is the largest of Metsä Group, housing the company’s carton board, veneer, and bioproduct mills. A new Kerto LVL mill is currently under construction in the mill area, with production expected to start by the end of 2026.
www.wbpionline.com | June/July 2025 | WBPI
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