Developing a new floor system using domestic materials, "(tentative name) WOOD FLOOR UNIT 3.2" | Six domestic companies jointly develop new building materials

Contributing to solving social issues by proposing new ways to use timber (CLT)

NOMURA Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., MEC Industry Co., Ltd., Sanyo Industrial Co., Ltd., Rinrei Co., Ltd., and Maruyama Metal Industry Co., Ltd., has developed a new building material that uses domestic timber, tentatively named WOOD FLOOR UNIT 3.2 (hereinafter referred to as the "Product") (patent pending). The Product will be manufactured and sold by MEC Industry Co., Ltd.

As a comprehensive space production company, we are involved from the concept stage of product development, overseeing concept design and construction technology aspects, and advising on details and construction methods to bring the proposed concept design to fruition.
The first wave of this product has been installed in part of the innovation facility operated by Mitsubishi Estate in the Shin-Maru Building.

This product is a free-access floor*2 that utilizes CLT*1 and is a "new building material" that combines high design appeal with beautiful wood grain that covers the entire floor surface, functionality that takes advantage of the high strength of CLT, and environmental contribution functions that help prevent global warming through the carbon fixation effect of wood.

[Features of "(tentative name) WOOD FLOOR UNIT 3.2"]
(1) Revealing the CLT without fireproofing
(2) A special coating that prevents dirt while preserving the beauty of wood (scent, feel)
(3) Joints that realize a stylish design with no visible metal parts on the finished surface and easy construction
(4) High carbon fixation effect contributes to the global environment

Conventional free access floors generally have carpeting laid on top of steel panels, but this product uses the wood grain of the CLT panels as the finishing material, eliminating the need for carpeting and allowing the natural wood to be exposed as standard.

The use of domestic timber in this product will lead to the maintenance and improvement of forests' carbon fixation, water source conservation functions, disaster prevention functions, etc., and by creating a virtuous cycle for domestic forests, we will also contribute to solving social issues.

■ Background of this product development
While promoting the use of domestic timber, the Mitsubishi Estate Group has come to realize that it is difficult to use CLT structurally due to fire prevention and resistance regulations in Japan, meaning that it is not possible to convey the inherent appeal of wood to building users. In terms of cost, interiors using natural timber often requires custom-made products, and the lack of standardized products on the market means that costs are high.
Therefore, we thought that we could solve the problems facing the market by utilizing the know-how of Mitsubishi Estate, which is involved in real estate development both in Japan and overseas, and developing a new standardized building material that uses domestic timber and is easy to use. We teamed up with various companies that have know-how in the elements necessary for development, such as concept design, construction, coating agents, and metal joints, and developed this product based on the concept of "Good things for the earth, made and used by everyone."

■ Product Features
・Revealing the CLT without fireproofing
Since it is not subject to restrictions on interiors design, fireproofing is not required. CLT can be used as a design element in a space.

・Special coating that prevents dirt while preserving the good qualities of wood (scent, feel)
We have adopted a coating agent that is easy to maintain while still taking advantage of the texture of the wood. The grain, feel, and even the rich scent fill the entire space with the natural atmosphere of wood.

・ Joints that realize a design and easy construction that do not show hardware on the finished surface
Carpets are not pasted. In order for the panel itself to function as a finishing material, a special joint where the hardware is not visible on the surface realizes easy construction regardless of whether it is S or RC construction, new construction work, or renovation work.

・Contributes to the global environment with a high carbon fixation effect
When this product is used over 100m2, it is expected to have a carbon fixation effect (CO2 equivalent) of approximately 3.2t. (Calculated from the Forestry Agency's guidelines for "visualizing" the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed and fixed by companies through forest creation and wood use.)

■ Product Overview
・Material specifications: CLT (mainly made from southern Kyushu cedar)
Material specifications (panel size) Hook-connect type: 497mm x 497mm x thickness 36mm, Side-joint type: 497mm x 497mm x thickness 54mm
Panel weight: Hook-and-loop type: approx. 4.0 kg/piece, Side-joint type: approx. 6.0 kg/piece
Load capacity: Hook-and-loop type: Approx. 2,500N, Side-fitting type: Approx. 5,000N
Finishing: Apply special coating agent

Annotation
*1 CLT: An abbreviation for Cross Laminated Timber, which refers to a large panel in which layers of wooden boards are laminated and glued together so that each layer crosses each other at right angles.
*2 Free access floor: A floor that can accommodate power supply and communication wiring, as well as air conditioning and other equipment under the floor.
*3 Large diameter logs: Generally refers to logs with an end diameter (diameter at the narrowest end) of 30 cm or more.

■ Roles of each company
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. / Product planning
MEC Industry Co., Ltd. / Manufacturing, processing and sales of materials
NOMURA Ltd. / design supervision, construction supervision, general product development advice
Sanyo Industries Co., Ltd. / Support leg manufacturing, construction verification
Rinrei Co., Ltd. / Supervision of development of coating agents for natural wood and maintenance related to maintaining performance
Maruyama Metal Industry Co., Ltd. / Development of special metal joints that do not show on the finished surface

[Reference] About the joint development companies

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
Business description: Development and rental of office buildings, commercial facilities, hotels, logistics facilities, etc.; development and sales of profitable real estate both domestically and overseas; development and sales of residential and industrial land, etc.; operation of airports and leisure facilities, etc.; real estate brokerage and consulting; asset management business.

MEC Industry Co., Ltd.
Business description: Purchasing, manufacturing and sales of building materials

Ltd. NOMURA
Services: Research, planning, consulting, design, layout, production, construction and operation and management of space creation

Sanyo Industries Co., Ltd.
Business description: Manufacturing and sales of metal building materials and construction materials / Manufacturing and sales of interiors and exterior materials, air conditioning and ventilation equipment, and construction contracting

Rinrei Co., Ltd.
Business description: Research and development, manufacturing, sales and export of hygiene management products such as wax for commercial, household, automotive and industrial use, high-performance coating agents and detergents, as well as manufacturing and sales of commercial cleaning equipment

Maruyama Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
Business description: Manufacturing and sales of metal snap buttons, resin molded products, and cutting products