Wood In Architecture Issue 2, 2022

NEWS
AURECON INTRODUCES ROBOTIC
TECHNOLOGY INTO MASS TIMBER
CONSTRUCTION
Aurecon has introduced robotics technology
into constructing Murdoch University’s
Building 360, which is set to become what
is reportedly western Australia’s largest
mass engineered timber (MET) building upon
completion.
Conceptualised by Aurecon and in
collaboration with the Murdoch University
and University of Technology Sydney (UTS),
the robots have been designed by UTS
researchers to deliver cumbersome screw
fixings — a task that causes fatigue and injury
in workers given its repetitive and labourintensive
nature.
Building 360 will be a demonstration of
Murdoch’s commitment to sustainability,
aiming for a 6 Star Green Star rating once
completed, a sustainability rating system by
Green Building Council Australia.
Tim Spies, managing director of built
environment Australia, Aurecon, said
the pilot robotics project with Murdoch
University and UTS showed that by
thinking more innovatively, the timber
industry could lead the way in improving
project outcomes across the broader
construction industry.
“The long-term objective is to prove that
the modular nature of timber construction
will benefit from the automation of some
on-site construction activity, helping to
increase productivity, reduce cost, improve
workers’ OH&S, and advance innovation in
the construction industry,” said Spies.
Andrew Deeks, vice-chancellor professor
of Murdoch University, commented that
Building 360 would transform the student
and staff experience through offering
new, digitally enabled teaching and learning
spaces in an environmentally friendly
design.
“MET is a completely renewable resource
and a more sustainable construction material
than conventional steel or concrete, which
is a huge contributor of greenhouse gas
emissions globally. The building will also
have a large array of photovoltaic cells to
supply its power needs,” Deeks said.
“Working with our design, engineering and
advisory partner Aurecon, we set out to
determine where technology would add
value to the construction process — an
opportunity to modernise an industry that,
by and large, is yet to take a significant leap
in innovation.”
According to Aurecon, there are around
200,000-300,000 screw fixings on the
Building 360 construction site, and
the robots have been trialled installing
approximately 50-100 fixings as part of the
proof of concept. WIA
STORA ENSO ENTERS PARTNERSHIP TO
CREATE WOOD-BASED BATTERIES
Stora Enso and Northvolt, a European supplier
of sustainable battery cells and systems,
will partner to develop sustainable batteries
using lignin-based hard carbon produced with
renewable wood from the Nordic forests.
Northvolt will be partnering with Stora Enso
(Image: Northvolt)
The partnership also aims to develop the
world’s first industrialised battery featuring
anode sourced entirely from European raw
materials, lowering both the carbon footprint
and the cost.
“The joint battery development with Northvolt
marks a step on our journey to serve the fastgrowing
battery market with renewable anode
materials made from trees,” said Johanna
Hagelberg, executive vice-president for
biomaterials at Stora Enso. “Our lignin-based
hard carbon, Lignode by Stora Enso, will secure
the strategic European supply of anode raw
material, serving the sustainable battery needs
for applications from mobility to stationary
energy storage.”
Both companies will bring key components,
competence, and specialties to the battery
partnership. Stora Enso will provide its ligninbased
anode material Lignode, originating
from sustainably managed forests, while
Northvolt will drive cell design, production
process development and scale-up of the
technology.
“With this partnership, we are exploring
a new source of sustainable raw material
and expanding the European battery
value chain, while also developing a less
expensive battery chemistry. It is an exciting
demonstration of how our pursuit of a
sustainable battery industry goes hand-inhand
with creating a positive impact both on
society and cost,” said Emma Nehrenheim,
chief environmental officer at Northvolt.
Lignin is a plant-derived polymer found in
the cell walls of dry-land plants. Trees are
composed of 20-30% of lignin, where it acts
as a natural binder. Stora Enso reportedly
produces 50,000 tonnes of lignin annually at
their site in Finland. WIA
10 WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2022