Estonia is the largest exporter of wooden houses in Europe and aims to take the next step forward

At the beginning of January, 11 Estonian companies, in cooperation with the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS), participated in BAU, the world’s leading construction trade fair held in Munich, Germany.

BAU focuses on architecture, materials, and systems. The trade fair was attended by approximately 200,000 people, including architects, engineers, sales representatives, manufacturers, distributors, developers, buyers, and investors. Among the participants at the Estonian joint stand were several companies working with wood. Although Estonia is already Europe’s leader in wooden house exports—with an export turnover of around half a billion euros, which is twice the volume of its closest competitors, Poland and Lithuania, and accounting for nearly a quarter of the entire European market—the aim is to establish an even stronger foothold in Germany.

Industrial renovation is one of the key topics in Germany’s construction sector, and it was also a focus at this year’s BAU fair,” said Annika Kadaja, Managing Director of the Estonian Woodhouse Association. “Estonia is at the forefront globally with a unique product—a factory-produced façade element that integrates insulation, ventilation, and the exterior façade. When installed on an existing building, it provides both insulation and a modern appearance. This product allows for doubling the renovation pace,” Kadaja explained.

She added: “There is a very high demand for this in Germany, and they are also conducting their own research and development in this field. However, we currently have an advantage thanks to our integrated systems. The so-called industrialization of construction, or the use of prefabricated houses, allows for better pricing through standardization. In addition to speed, a key advantage is controlled quality—the more work is done in the factory, the less the construction process depends on weather conditions. In Estonia, we have already completed the factory-based renovation of 21 apartment buildings as a pilot project, proving that this method can be up to twice as fast as traditional renovation.”

Participating in the trade fair not only provides an opportunity to establish new contacts but also brings existing partners together in one place. It also allows participants to closely observe what competitors and other manufacturers are doing, enabling them to discover new solutions and draw inspiration.

Estonian joint stand at BAU 2025. Photo: EIS

“BAU is undoubtedly an extremely important trade fair for the construction sector, not only for entering the German market but also for establishing successful collaborations across Europe,” said Tiina Kivikas, Export Advisor at EIS in Germany.

“The first days of the trade fair have already dispelled the myth for our companies that the German market is stagnant. Visitor turnout and interest in our companies have been significant. Architects, in particular, have shown interest in the new materials and solutions offered by Estonian companies,” Kivikas noted. According to Kivikas, Germans are interested in areas such as solar energy, efficient insulation, and fire protection systems. She also highlighted a strong focus on modular and mobile construction solutions, sustainable building materials, and wood-based approaches in the construction sector.

“This year, the Estonian joint stand at the BAU trade fair showcases a very interesting cross-section of various construction companies: from material suppliers to building renovation, as well as IT solutions, waterproof concrete structures, and modular houses,” illustrated Kivikas, the Export Advisor at EIS.

The following members of Woodhouse Estonia and companies from the Estonian wooden house sector participated in the BAU trade fair: Arcwood (CLT structures), Matek (modular and element houses, factory-based renovation), KMT Prefab OÜ (timber frame façade elements and factory-based renovation of apartment buildings), Hobbiton OÜ (high-quality handcrafted log houses), Palmatin OÜ (machined log houses), Avrame (energy-efficient A-frame modular houses).

Source and author: Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus (EIS) 15.01.2025