KLH Massivholz: CLT portfolio and EPD coverage
Specifiers love mass timber, but paperwork decides who gets the nod. Here is how KLH Massivholz shows up on EPDs today, where their CLT range fits, and where adding a few smart declarations could unlock more specs without a fight. One small document often tips a big bid, intersting how that works.
Who KLH is and where they play
KLH Massivholz GmbH is an Austrian pioneer in cross‑laminated timber. Their focus is mass timber panels for structural walls, floors, and roofs across mid‑rise housing, education, hospitality, and office projects. Think of KLH as a specialist shop that does one thing very well: CLT.
What they sell, in practice
KLH’s offer centers on CLT panels in multiple thicknesses, layups, and surface grades, with CNC pre‑cutting and options like visual or industrial faces. That menu adds up to dozens of standard build‑ups and sizes, plus project‑specific variants. Hardware, connectors, and coatings are typically sourced rather than made in‑house, so their true manufactured product line is a single core category.
EPD coverage at a glance
KLH publishes a product‑specific EPD for KLH CLT through EPD International, which covers the CLT family rather than one narrow SKU. Program operators generally set five‑year validity for product EPDs, so teams should watch renewal windows to avoid last‑minute scrambles (EPD International, 2025). For day‑to‑day spec work, one current family EPD usually satisfies owner and AEC requirements when the project calls for product‑specific declarations.
Where gaps may still exist
We did not find separate, publicly listed EPDs for assembled CLT systems from KLH such as cassette floor modules, acoustic composites, or panel‑plus‑finish packages. If a project submittal asks for an EPD tied to a specific assembly rather than base CLT, that can slow approvals or push teams toward a competitor with a directly comparable declaration. The fix is simple, either add an assembly EPD or include clear guidance in the CLT EPD on applicable thickness ranges and typical assemblies.
Competitors KLH meets most often
In European tenders, KLH is frequently compared with Stora Enso, HASSLACHER, and Binderholz. In North America, SmartLam and Structurlam show up on the same bid lists. Several of these peers maintain current CLT EPDs that are easy for specifiers to reference, including Stora Enso and HASSLACHER in Europe and SmartLam in the US (EPD International, 2025; IBU, 2025; SCS Global Services, 2025). Where a peer offers both base‑material and system‑level declarations, they can win on paperwork even when performance is similar.
Why this paperwork matters commercially
Many owners and GCs now require product‑specific EPDs for carbon accounting. Without one that matches the product being submitted, teams often have to model with conservative defaults that make materials look heavier on impact. That penalty nudges buyers toward products with verified data, which means CLT suppliers that publish clear, current EPDs avoid price‑only battles and stay in the spec more often.
Fast path to fuller coverage
Two pragmatic moves close most gaps. First, keep the CLT family EPD current and explicit about thickness ranges that are covered, so estimators do not need clarifications at bid time. Second, add one or two assembly EPDs for common applications such as floor slabs with acoustic layers or fire‑rated wall panels. A great LCA partner will map the competitive PCR choices, align with the operator your buyers prefer, and make data collection painless so engineering time stays on product work, not spreadsheets.
Bottom line for KLH watchers
KLH is a focused CLT specialist with a family EPD in place and a product range that fits many mid‑rise use cases. The clearest upside sits in packaging that EPD coverage for typical assemblies, which helps win on projects where like‑for‑like comparisons rule submittals. In a tight spec race, the team that removes one more RFI usually wins the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the current KLH EPD cover all CLT thicknesses and grades sold by the company?
Publicly available documentation indicates a family EPD for KLH CLT that covers the product line. Buyers should confirm thickness and layup applicability in the declaration or with the program operator to ensure submittal fit.
How many products does KLH manufacture and how many SKUs are we talking about?
KLH focuses on one manufactured category, CLT panels, offered in dozens of standard thickness and layup combinations plus project‑specific variants.
Who are KLH’s main competitors on EPDs for CLT in Europe and North America?
Common peers include Stora Enso, HASSLACHER, and Binderholz in Europe and SmartLam and Structurlam in North America. Several maintain current CLT EPDs that specifiers reference often (EPD International, 2025; IBU, 2025; SCS Global Services, 2025).
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
