Canadian glulam is beginning to take hold in China, with new species gaining traction as manufacturers seek alternatives that can support scale, cost competitiveness, and supply flexibility.
That is according to Lance Tao, Export Development Program Manager for Canada Wood Group, who revealed that whilst Douglas fir remains the dominant choice for high‑grade laminations, Chinese producers are now showing growing interest in Hem‑Fir, Yellow Cedar and SPF — which are all starting to make their market in the growing mass timber supply chain.
“In 2025, two manufacturers began small‑batch glulam production using Hem‑Fir and Yellow Cedar laminations,” Tao said, noting that while volumes remain modest, the products are already being used in demonstration projects. “When producers start building with a material rather than just discussing it, it usually means the pathway is real, and the next step is repeatability.”
Wood Central understands that mechanically graded Hem‑Fir has delivered strong bending strength and stiffness, while Yellow Cedar continues to stand out for durability and appearance — particularly in exposed applications where visual quality is critical. And these early results are giving manufacturers and project teams confidence that Canadian species beyond Douglas fir can meet performance requirements while offering new options for cost and availability, Tao said.
The next phase of development centres on mixed‑species glulam beams combining SPF and Douglas-fir in a single member. The approach is practical: Douglas fir is placed where top structural performance is required, while SPF supports volume and cost targets. A new testing program will confirm performance and give designers the assurance needed to specify these hybrid beams more broadly.
Why China (and Japan) is a growing market for Canadian wood products
The push comes as Wood Central revealed on Friday that China is now Canada’s second‑highest lumber export priority, behind Japan, as manufacturers look to life beyond the United States. “We’re in a bit of a crisis right now, so we want to get everything done very, very quickly,” said Bruce St. John, president of the Canada Wood Group. “You go into new markets, and there are a lot of barriers that are in place. For a start, do they have wood construction codes and standards? And if the country doesn’t have that, we’re starting from the very grass roots.”
“One of the real benefits of wood construction in China is the environmental perspective,” St. John added. “Forty per cent of China’s carbon emissions come from construction. So when they’re looking at how we can reduce our carbon emissions, low‑hanging fruit is wood construction.”
- To learn more about the opportunities for Canadian timbers in Chinese mass timber construction, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from last month.
