Element5’s Ontario CLT Factory Achieves FSC Certification
Element5 pioneers mass timber innovation with Ontario’s first FSC-certified cross-laminated timber (CLT) factory, highlighting sustainability, local sourcing, and the future of green building.
Element5’s Ontario Factory: Setting a Precedent in Sustainable Mass Timber
The construction industry has faced a transformative shift toward sustainability, with mass timber emerging as a pivotal solution. In this arena, Element5’s new production facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, stands out. As Ontario’s first factory producing cross-laminated timber (CLT) to achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, it reshapes expectations around green building and responsible forest management.
Table of Contents
- Background: The Surge of Mass Timber
- About Element5 and Its Mission
- Ontario’s First FSC-Certified CLT Factory
- What is FSC Certification?
- The Importance of Local Sourcing
- Environmental and Socioeconomic Benefits
- CLT Technology and Product Innovation
- Challenges and Opportunities in Mass Timber
- Frequently Asked Questions
Background: The Surge of Mass Timber
The adoption of mass timber construction, especially CLT, has accelerated in North America, driven by the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. Mass timber offers structural performance comparable to concrete and steel, but with lower embodied carbon and the potential for carbon sequestration. However, a critical concern has been the sustainability of the wood supply. Not all timber is sourced or processed with equitable environmental responsibility, making certification a vital marker of quality and stewardship.
About Element5 and Its Mission
Element5 is an Ontario-based company specializing in engineered wood products, particularly CLT, glulam, and other mass timber solutions for advanced building projects. The company’s advanced production facility uses wood sourced from Ontario forests, supporting the transition from basic resource extraction toward higher-value manufacturing within Canada. Their mission is clear: to drive positive contributions to communities, the environment, and future generations through sustainable practices and high-performance timber construction.
Ontario’s First FSC-Certified CLT Factory
In April 2021, Element5’s St. Thomas facility became the first in Ontario to receive FSC Chain of Custody certification. This milestone means all CLT and mass timber products from this plant can carry the FSC Mix label, assuring buyers and designers that the wood is responsibly sourced and tracked from forest to finished product.
- Location: St. Thomas, near Lake Erie, Ontario
- Products: CLT panels, glulam, nail-laminated timber (NLT), cross-laminated insulated panels (CLIPs), and BOXX panels (CLT with engineered joists)
- Panel Specifications: Panels up to 11.5’ x 52.5’, thicknesses up to 15 inches
This local mass timber supply is a game-changer for builders seeking to minimize transportation emissions and support the local economy.
What is FSC Certification?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the most rigorous and globally recognized standard for responsible forestry. It integrates ecological, social, and economic criteria to ensure forests are managed with respect for biodiversity, workers’ rights, and local communities. FSC Chain of Custody certification extends these standards to the entire production process, providing assurance that certified wood products are tracked and verifiable from forest to factory to construction site.
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Key Elements of FSC Certification
- Biodiversity Conservation: Certified forests protect wildlife habitats and native species diversity.
- Water & Ecosystem Services: Management practices safeguard water resources and crucial ecosystems.
- Worker and Community Rights: Rigorous standards uphold workers’ safety, fair wages, and respect for Indigenous and community rights.
- Chain of Custody: Certification ensures continuous tracking and separation of certified and non-certified wood streams.
Element5’s FSC certification was awarded by SCS Global Services, one of the world’s first accredited FSC certifiers.
The Importance of Local Sourcing
Mass timber’s sustainability relies not only on the use of wood instead of concrete or steel, but also on responsible local sourcing. Importing timber from distant locations undermines environmental benefits by increasing transportation emissions and complicating traceability.
- Ontario’s forests are a renewable resource: Canada has 164 million hectares of independently certified forestland—36% of the world’s total certified forests.
- By using Ontario wood, Element5 supports regional supply chains, reduces carbon miles, and enables transparent, verifiable sourcing.
- Canada’s forest management leadership is reflected in having the largest area of third-party certified forests globally, with more than 75% of managed land certified under systems like FSC, SFI, and CSA.
Environmental and Socioeconomic Benefits
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Wood products are renewable and store carbon, making them the only major building material that can have net positive climate outcomes when sourced sustainably.
- Supports Circular Economy: Element5’s operation exemplifies a circular economy model, keeping resources in use for as long as possible and reallocating waste efficiently.
- Community Investment: The facility provides high-value manufacturing jobs locally, driving economic growth in St. Thomas and the surrounding region.
- Traceability and Consumer Assurance: The FSC label guarantees that each panel or timber element meets independent, internationally respected environmental and social standards.
Impact Table: Conventional Construction vs. FSC-Certified Mass Timber
| Aspect | Conventional (Steel/Concrete) | FSC-Certified Mass Timber |
|---|---|---|
| Material Source | Non-renewable, high energy input | Renewable, responsible forest management |
| Carbon Footprint | High (embodied carbon from mining and cement manufacture) | Lower or net positive (carbon sequestration in wood) |
| Local Economic Benefit | Often global supply chains, fewer local jobs | Supports regional economies and skilled jobs |
| Sustainability Verification | Limited or no certification for responsible sourcing | Transparent, traceable chain of custody |
CLT Technology and Product Innovation
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a form of engineered wood made by gluing together multiple layers of lumber at perpendicular angles, creating extremely strong, dimensionally stable slabs suitable for floors, walls, roofs, and other structural applications. Element5’s technology allows for innovative construction solutions, including:
- Flexible Sizing: Panels up to 3.5 meters wide and over 16 meters long—the largest available in Canada—enabling creative architectural designs and rapid on-site assembly.
- Product Range: Their plant also produces glulam beams, nail-laminated timber (NLT), insulated panels, and hybrid BOXX panels (CLT and engineered joists for slab substitution).
- Visual Quality: Automated edge-gluing and advanced finishing enable CLT panels to serve both structural and aesthetic functions in exposed applications.
- Sustainable Manufacturing: State-of-the-art automation minimizes waste and energy use while maximizing efficiency and quality control.
Element5 offers CLT in several configurations, from industrial to architectural appearance grades, in 3, 5, 7, or 9 layers, and up to 380mm thickness for robust design flexibility.
Challenges and Opportunities in Mass Timber
- Supply Constraints: Despite CLT’s popularity, FSC-certified supply remains limited, especially in many North American regions. Element5’s factory helps address this shortfall for Ontario and nearby markets.
- Regulatory Barriers: Building codes are evolving, but mass timber adoption still faces hurdles related to height limits, fire safety, and a relative lack of industry familiarity.
- Market Growth: The growing demand for climate-friendly construction, coupled with government investment in green infrastructure, is accelerating the adoption of sustainable mass timber solutions.
- Award Recognition: Element5’s leadership was recognized at the FSC Leadership Awards, highlighting its role in promoting responsible timber sourcing in construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What makes Element5’s factory significant for Ontario and beyond?
A: It is the first facility in Ontario to achieve FSC certification for CLT production, providing a local, traceable, and sustainable source of mass timber for builders and designers seeking to reduce their projects’ environmental impacts.
Q: What is FSC Mix, and why does it matter?
A: FSC Mix indicates that a product contains material from FSC-certified forests, recycled material, or controlled sources. This assures buyers that responsible forest management standards apply to a significant portion of the wood fiber.
Q: How does CLT support green building initiatives?
A: CLT’s prefabrication streamlines construction, reduces waste, and lowers operational energy demands, while its carbon-sequestering properties directly support green certifications such as LEED and WELL.
Q: What are typical applications for Element5’s CLT products?
- Floor and roof slabs
- Wall panels and partitions
- Shearwalls and structural cores
- Stairwells and elevator shafts
Q: How does Element5 ensure its supply chain remains sustainable?
A: Through FSC Chain of Custody certification, Element5 meticulously tracks sourced wood from forest to finished product, upholding strict environmental, social, and labor standards at every step.
Conclusion: Toward a Greener Construction Future
Element5’s FSC-certified factory is more than a manufacturing milestone—it signals a maturing Canadian mass timber industry aligned with the highest standards of sustainability, innovation, and local economic benefit. By choosing certified, regionally produced mass timber, project teams across Ontario and North America can deliver buildings that truly embody responsible stewardship of the world’s forests and a more sustainable built environment.
References
- https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/fsc-mass-timber-production-arrives-midwest
- https://elementfive.co/element-5s-new-mass-timber-production-facility-obtains-fsc-certification/
- https://elementfive.co/news/
- https://elementfive.co/products/clt/
- https://ca.fsc.org/ca-en/newsfeed/cascades-and-element5-win-at-fsc-leadership-awards
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