A recent industry webinar hosted by ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Ireland has highlighted significant opportunities for Austrian companies in Ireland's rapidly expanding timber construction market, revealing a sector poised for transformation with substantial demand for international expertise.
Growing Market with Untapped Potential
The webinar, hosted by Marco Garcia, Austrian Commercial Counsellor to Ireland, brought together leading Irish experts from engineering, forestry, and public policy. Speakers included Ronan O'Byrne from Arup, Des O'Toole from Coillte, and Professor Owen Lewis from the Timber in Construction Steering Group.
The session revealed a striking market inefficiency: whilst Ireland's annual roundwood availability is projected to rise from 4.7 million m³ in 2021 to 7.9 million m³ by 2035 (a 68% increase), approximately 66% of domestically produced sawn timber is currently exported, even as 75% of construction timber is imported. This gap presents considerable opportunities for value-added manufacturing partnerships.
As Ireland strives to meet its Climate Action Plan targets, including a 30% reduction in embodied carbon by 2030, timber has emerged as a critical solution. According to Arup's analysis, a national shift towards timber construction could support Ireland's climate targets by reducing up to 2.8 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030 under ambitious scenarios.
Currently, "scheme homes" (large-scale residential developments) account for nearly 48% of timber value in Ireland, with future growth expected in apartments and non-residential sectors as regulations evolve. However, key barriers remain, including limited training capacity, regulatory inconsistencies, and a lack of timber-focused public procurement policies.
Demonstration Projects Lead the Way
Des O'Toole from Coillte, Ireland's state forestry company, showcased successful demonstration projects that are paving the way for broader adoption. While Ireland remains traditionally a "brick and block" culture, there is a concerted push to stimulate demand for CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and Glulam.
Key projects include the Avondale Treetop Walk, featuring home-grown Douglas Fir Glulam elements, and a current 27-home social housing development in South Dublin built entirely with Irish C16 timber and undergoing comprehensive life cycle assessment.
O'Toole expressed particular interest in partnering with international manufacturers to produce Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) from Irish Sitka Spruce, signalling a clear opportunity for Austrian expertise in mass timber production.
Government Strategy Supports Expansion
Professor Owen Lewis from Ireland's Timber in Construction Steering Group outlined a comprehensive national strategy to transition Ireland from what he described as an "immature" timber market. The strategy involves a partnership between four government ministries and industry leaders to overcome regulatory barriers and standardise home-grown timber use.
The approach is built on five thematic pillars: market data, regulatory compliance, public procurement, research and development, and professional education.
Key recommendations include:
- National Mass Timber Specification: Developing a stable technical standard for Mass Engineered Timber drawing on national and international best practice
- Compliance Specialist Advisors: Establishing a national framework to provide local authorities and fire officers with specialist advice, addressing information gaps in timber building regulation
- Timber Competency Support: Integration of timber design into the education of architects and engineers, addressing the historical focus on steel and concrete
- Government-Led Demonstration Projects: The state leading by example through public procurement
Whole-Life Carbon Requirements: Establishing embedded carbon targets in building processes - Timber Knowledge & Innovation Centre: Plans are underway to establish the Timber Knowledge Development and Innovation (KDI) facility to centralise research and implementation efforts
Opportunities for Austrian Companies
The Irish market is technologically open and actively seeking international collaboration in several key areas:
- Mass Timber Engineering: Expertise in engineered timber systems and innovative construction methods
- CLT Production Partnerships: Joint ventures to process Irish timber into certified CLT or Glulam for domestic projects
- Knowledge Exchange: Development of continuing professional development (CPD) modules for Irish specifiers and design professional
- Demonstration Projects: Collaboration on pilot builds that showcase timber construction capabilities
For Austrian companies with expertise in timber construction technologies, Ireland represents a market with clear sustainability objectives, and established industry players actively seeking international partnerships. The combination of domestic timber resources, government backing, and gaps in local manufacturing capacity creates an ideal environment for Austrian-Irish collaboration.
