Digital transformation of the timber supply chain

Modern timber construction increasingly requires more automated and customisable manufacturing processes in order to remain competitive. Thanks to BIM-based planning processes and file exchange formats such as ELDATsmart and StanForD, the use of IoT technologies is becoming increasingly important and offers the opportunity to increase productivity, quality and sustainability in timber construction.

The aim of the "TimberConnect" research project is therefore to set up an IoT-based process structure for the digital and automated recording of relevant process data along the supply chain for timber components in a practical project to promote resource-saving and recyclable construction. In particular, the project aims to strengthen networking between the various players in the timber component value chain by developing an industry-specific digital product passport. This product passport is to be filled in semi-automatically in order to avoid additional bureaucratic work for future legal regulations. At the same time, consistent data should create more transparency and efficiency and enable new digital business models.

To this end, an ACTUAL process model will first be developed with all players along the wood supply chain, then a concept for setting up an IoT-based process structure for standardised data exchange along the value chain will be developed and finally the concept will be technologically implemented in the key stages of the value chain and validated at demonstration level.

The results will be presented at the University of Wuppertal as part of a competence centre that is being developed to advise on the introduction of IoT-based process levels for various use cases using the example of the digitalised wood supply chain.

The BUW's Digital Design, Construction and Operation department and the BUW's Institute for Technologies and Management of Digital Transformation are carrying out this project in close cooperation with the following partners:

• European EPC Competence GmbH
• BAUES WUNDER
• PRAUSE timber construction planning
• Art-Invest
• Madaster
• Derix
• buildingSMART
• Forest and Wood NRW