India is experiencing one of the fastest infrastructure booms in the world, with millions of square metres of new construction rising each year to meet the needs of a growing population. But this rapid growth brings an urgent challenge: how to build sustainably without deepening the climate crisis. The construction sector accounts for nearly 37% of global carbon emissions, driven largely by traditional materials like steel and concrete.
In this timely article, Bhawna Sharma, Managing Director and Founder of Artius Interior Products, explores how glulam—an engineered wood product—offers a regenerative alternative that aligns with circular economy principles. By reducing waste, storing carbon, and enabling faster, modular construction, glulam could be key to building greener cities in India. Sharma draws on her experience at Artius to explain the material’s benefits, challenges, and its potential to transform not just buildings, but mindsets. With supportive policies, innovation, and collaboration, she argues, glulam can help India meet its net-zero goals.
Full article below:
Rethinking Construction: Could Glulam Hold the Key to a More Regenerative Future?
India has set an ambitious goal: to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. To get there, the construction industry must change how it builds. With 2.5 billion square metres of new buildings expected each year over the next decade, the materials we choose now will shape India’s climate future. Construction is responsible for about 37% of global carbon emissions and creates a third of the world’s waste. The current “mine, build, trash” approach isn’t sustainable. But there’s hope in an unexpected place: glulam, an engineered wood, could help India build more sustainably and reshape its cities for the better.
India’s rapid urbanisation means buildings are going up faster than ever, and there’s growing pressure to build in ways that protect the environment. Glulam timber stands out here. It’s prefabricated, has a low carbon footprint, and can be reused. Traditional materials like concrete and steel are the main drivers of construction emissions. In India, cement and steel use have soared in the past two decades, creating both an environmental challenge and an economic opportunity.
What is Glulam?
Glulam is an engineered wood product made by bonding layers of timber with adhesives to form strong, large beams and panels. This process lets wood compete with steel and concrete for everything from residential projects to big commercial buildings. At Artius, we even make window and door systems out of glulam. The big advantage of wood is that it’s renewable; trees can be replanted, and forests can keep absorbing carbon dioxide. Concrete and steel, on the other hand, rely on resources that are limited and require a lot of energy to produce.
India only has about 25% forest cover, so sourcing wood sustainably is a challenge. The solution? Importing certified lumber from forests in places like Canada, where trees are managed responsibly. Glulam’s manufacturing process also cuts down on waste—prefabrication can reduce material waste by 50-70% compared to traditional building methods. This saves money and eases the pressure on forests.
A Circular Approach to Building
Most construction today follows a linear path: extract resources, build, then demolish and discard. But there’s a better way—one that keeps materials in use for longer and reduces waste. Glulam makes this possible. Because it’s prefabricated, builders can plan more precisely and use modular designs that are easy to take apart and reuse. Engineered wood like glulam can be recycled at high rates, with more than 70% of the material reused at the end of a building’s life.
Wood also stores carbon. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air. One cubic metre of lumber can hold about a tonne of CO2. Even after accounting for the emissions from transporting wood from Canada to India, using glulam saves more than twice the carbon it takes to get it here. When paired with sustainable forestry, glulam can actually help create buildings that are “carbon negative”—they remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit.
Glulam can replace steel and concrete in many buildings, especially in the low- and mid-rise housing that makes up most of India’s construction. And because glulam elements are lighter, they need smaller foundations, which is helpful in areas prone to earthquakes or with tricky soil conditions.
Faster, Smarter Construction
Building with glulam can be much faster than traditional methods. Prefabricated glulam parts can cut construction time by 30-50%, which is crucial as India faces a housing shortage. Smaller teams can assemble entire building frames or roofs in just a month or two. These time savings also reduce costs and the need for large, skilled labour crews.
Glulam buildings also act as carbon storage units. In a country where urban growth could drive emissions even higher, switching to wood construction is a chance to turn a problem into an opportunity for decarbonisation. When done responsibly, with zero water waste and a deep respect for natural resources, wood reinforces its role as a truly sustainable alternative in the built environment.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its promise, glulam isn’t yet widely used in India. Building codes and regulations still favour concrete and steel, and updating these rules will take time. There are also concerns about fire safety and how wood buildings will stand up to India’s heavy monsoons. These worries can be addressed with modern engineering and by showing real-world examples of glulam buildings performing well.
Another challenge is that most glulam is currently imported. Building up local manufacturing and training will help lower costs and make glulam more accessible. Artius is actively working to fill this gap, but more investment is needed to create a thriving domestic industry.
If India wants to lead a building revolution, glulam is a practical step forward. But success will require teamwork across government, industry, and education. Policymakers need to support low-carbon materials through building codes and incentives. Builders and architects should showcase glulam’s benefits through pilot projects. And universities can train the next generation of designers to think sustainably.
Building a Greener Future
India stands at a crossroads. The country’s growth doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. By embracing glulam and circular building practices, India can create cities that are both modern and environmentally responsible. With smart choices and collaboration, India can prove that economic development and environmental care can go hand in hand.
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