Global Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Outlook

The global glue-laminated timber (glulam) market size was around USD 2,790.89 million in 2023. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2024-2032 to reach a value of USD 4,38741 million by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• In 2022, companies in Austria and Germany produced a total of 2.84 million m³ of glue-laminated timber (glulam).

• In 2022, the Hasslacher group stood as Europe’s largest glulam manufacturer with its four production sites in Germany and Austria with a production output of 355,000 m³.

• Glulam manufacturing is considered a resource-efficient process. The timber is majorly homegrown spruce retrieved from sustainably managed forests.

The increasing preference for wood-based construction materials owing to their benefits, including high thermal strength, chemical resistance, durability, and lightweight is expected to positively influence the expansion of the global glue-laminated timber (glulam) market.

Glue-laminated timber is considered as a substitute for steel beams and softwood timber. Moreover, it is consistent and can be produced in larger sizes than individual pieces of timber.

Glulam has high load-bearing capacity and low weight, making it advantageous to create large open spaces without the need for support beams. Also, it can span up to 100 metres without intervening support.

Key Trends and Developments

Rising sustainability concerns; favourable government initiatives; growing application of glulam; and capacity expansions are impacting the glue-laminated timber (glulam) market growth

Aug 18, 2023

Timberlink announced the production of their first glue-laminated timber (glulam) beam in their cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam unit in Tarpeena, Australia.

Sep 13, 2022

SmartLam North America announced their plan to establish a new production facility in Houston County for the production of large glulam beams and columns.

Jun 10, 2022

Boise Cascade Company reached an agreement to acquire Coastal Plywood Company and its two manufacturing locations from Coastal Forest Resources Company for USD 512 million.

May 19, 2022

Profura AB group, Green Wood Sverige AB, and BAXAB sold their subsidiaries Bäckebrons Sågverk AB and Balungstrands Sågverk AB to Ziegler Group.

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Trends

The market has been supported by the increasing construction of green buildings. Moreover, the stringent government policies aimed at reducing building emissions have driven the demand for glue-laminated timber.

Globally, with the increased focus on sustainable development, several countries are shifting their residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of construction towards glue-laminated timber. Glulam encourages better use of natural resources and is majorly produced using wood from reforested forests.

Increasing applications of glulam

The expanding levels of industrialisation, infrastructure development, consumer spending, and construction activities are positively contributing to the demand for glulam in various applications. Due to the technical advancements, several large structures such as bridges, airports, and large commercial spaces are being built using glue-laminated timber in several countries.

Rising concerns about environmental protection

The increasing awareness of environmental protection is creating a need for sustainable carbon black products, propelling the market players to develop and launch products that meet the changing customer preferences. Due to the environment-friendly nature of the wood panels, governments across major markets are encouraging consumers to shift towards wood panels which are expected to further increase the demand for glue-laminated timber.

Rising capacity expansions

Companies across the globe are significantly expanding their production capacities, supported by the push towards sustainability.

Increasing government support

As various governments across Europe and North America are promoting the use of green construction materials, the demand for engineered wood products is expected to significantly increase.

Market Segmentation

“Global Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by End Use

• New Construction

• Replacement

Market Breakup by Application

• Floor Beam

• Trusses and Supporting Columns

• Window and Door Headers

• Roof Beam

• Others 

Market Breakup by Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

Based on end use, new construction accounts for a significant glue-laminated timber (glulam) market share

As glue-laminated timber is a versatile product and has strength and versatility, its demand for expansive door and window openings, modern open floor plans, and tall walls, among others, is increasing.

In replacement and renovation activities, glue-laminated timber is used as a substitute for various conventional building materials, due to its ecological and economic benefits as well as its superior aesthetic profile.

Furthermore, glue-laminated timber is being increasingly adopted in older buildings to provide structural support and enhance the original decorative elements.

Based on application, floor beam accounts for a significant share of the glue-laminated timber (glulam) market

Glulam is made with small pieces of lumber to create a sizable wood structure, making it resource efficient. Additionally, due to its high strength, cost-effectiveness, and customizable nature, glulam is being used as floor beams. Moreover, the use of floor beams made of glulam ensures a level floor surface owing to reduced shrinkage and warping.

Additionally, there is a rising inclination towards glulam window and door headers as they require no tools compared to building materials, like steel. Glue-laminated timber headers prevent the movement of the window or door frame, thereby minimizing wall cracks in window and door openings.

Competitive Landscape

The market players are actively engaged in providing glulam at competitive prices with unique features

Boise Cascade Company

Established in 1957, Boise Cascade Company specialises in engineered wood products, plywood, roofing, lumber, gypsum, and backboard, among others.

Mayr-Melnhof Holz Holding AG

Headquartered in Leoben, Austria, the company offers glulam, duo and trio bar CLT cross-laminated timber, wood concrete composite element, among others.

HASSLACHER Holding GmbH

HASSLACHER Holding GmbH, headquartered in Feistritz, Austria specialises in glued laminated timber, glulam ceiling systems GLT special components, cross laminated timber, glued solid timber DUO/TRIO Structural finger jointed solid timber and GLT®, surfaced timber, among others.

Binderholz GmbH

Binderholz GmbH founded in 1848 in Earlston, Scotland is the largest company in the sawmill and solid wood processing industry in Europe. The company provides sawing products, DIY products, horse litter, pressboard products, etc.

Other notable players operating in the global glue-laminated timber (glulam) market include Western Forest Products Inc, Ziegler Holding GmbH, Canfor Corporation, and Pfeifer Holz GmbH & Co KG, among others.

Table: Top 10 glued-laminated timber producers (2022) by volume

Global Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Analysis by Region

Within North America, the United States had a total production of 448 thousand cubic metres in 2021. In the United States, glulam is being used in a wide variety of applications, ranging from headers or support beams in residential house framing to major structural elements in the framing of domed stadiums that span more than 500 ft (150 m).

Figure: Production of glulam (glued and laminated) timber in the United States from 2018 to 2021 (in 1,000 cubic meters)

In the Asia Pacific, the rising popularity of glue laminate as a building material, along with favourable government initiatives for private housing and commercial buildings, is contributing to a greater demand for glulam.

In 2021, the Austrian and German glulam manufacturers had a combined production output of 2.9 million m³. The growing concerns regarding climate debate and emerging requirement to reduce CO2 emissions in Switzerland are playing a critical role in the transformation of the timber industry as an environmental friendly sector. This is bolstering investments in new facilities, particularly for manufacturing glulam construction components in Switzerland.

Key Highlights of the Report

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Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Report Snapshots

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Size

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Trends

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Companies

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) Market Regional Analysis