Canada Wood Strengthens Strategic Partnerships with Three Key MOUs in China
Canada Wood has taken a decisive step toward promoting mass timber and hybrid construction in China with the signing of three pivotal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with key stakeholders. These agreements with Treezo Group, East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), and the National Center for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB) underline our strategic pivot to advancing mass timber and hybrid construction in China. They also highlight the growing potential for Canadian wood products to play a significant role in China’s evolving construction market.
MOU with Treezo Group
Treezo Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of OSB, plywood, cabinetry, flooring, and prefab buildings, is at the forefront of integrating mass timber into its operations. With the completion of the design for a 7-story mass timber office building at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Treezo is actively exploring the establishment of its own mass timber manufacturing facility to support this project and expand its prefab business.
Treezo’s well-established 2×4 housing division, which caters to affluent retirees in rural areas, demonstrates the company’s innovative approach to wood construction. Canada Wood’s visit to Treezo’s demo house center revealed a portfolio of over 70 housing models, showcasing the potential for wood-based construction solutions.
The MOU with Treezo solidifies a partnership focused on advancing research and development, facilitating connections with Canadian academic institutions, and providing technical expertise. This collaboration aims to strengthen Treezo’s capabilities in mass timber production and its application in China’s growing prefab and mass timber markets.
Accelerating Tall Wood Construction with ECADI
East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), part of Arcplus Group PLC., is one of China’s most respected architectural firms, known for iconic projects such as the CCTV Headquarters and Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 3. ECADI is now channeling its expertise into the development of tall wood mass timber construction.
The renewed MOU with ECADI focuses on establishing a wood construction innovation center dedicated to advancing mass timber research and development. Canada Wood is supporting ECADI’s proposal for a 10-story mass timber office building in Shanghai, providing technical guidance to facilitate the adoption of mass timber construction.
The MOU signing ceremony, chaired by ECADI Chairman Mr. Yao Ji, was attended by senior representatives from the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai, Alberta’s Indo-Pacific Hub, and BC FII China. This agreement reinforces ECADI’s leadership in sustainable architecture and highlights mass timber as a viable and innovative solution for modern construction.
Promoting Green Building Innovation with NCTI-GB
The National Center for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB), endorsed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), is a national platform focused on decarbonizing construction and promoting green building technologies. As a central force in driving low-carbon construction, NCTI-GB’s mandate aligns closely with Canada Wood’s objectives to promote mass timber as a sustainable alternative.
Facilitated by BCFII China office, the MOU with NCTI-GB underscores a commitment to joint efforts in resource sharing, technical exchange, and the development of standards and demonstration projects. This collaboration is poised to drive advancements in mass timber construction, with a shared goal of establishing wood as a key component in China’s green building agenda.
