timpla secures its first PEFC Project Certification
timpla, a Germany-based industrial wood construction company, has secured its first PEFC Project Certification, issued by Preferred by Nature. Knowing the origin of the wood and being able to prove that it comes from sustainable sources is critically important to the company’s customers. The certification, therefore, strengthens timpla’s credibility and supports the growing market demand for responsibly sourced timber.
timpla specialises in the manufacture of eco-friendly industrial timber housing for the German market, using optimised timber-frame systems that support resource efficiency, circularity and reduced environmental impact. The company pursued the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Project Certification to align with its sustainability principles while providing customers with independent, third-party assurance of ethical sourcing.
Supporting sustainable timber innovation
With a focus on the German housing market, particularly Berlin, timpla employs serial and industrial construction methods to accelerate building timelines, reduce emissions, and lower overall project costs.
Specifically, timber frame construction is timpla’s preferred building method because it uses wood efficiently as a structural resource. Unlike solid wood construction, only the load-bearing structure is made of timber. These timber frames can then be filled with a range of fibres depending on fire safety requirements, including mineral wool, wood fiber insulations, or other renewable materials.
Moreover, since the load-bearing structure and thermal insulation sit at the same level in timber frame construction, the walls are thinner than in any other type of construction while maintaining the same insulation standard. This creates more usable living space compared to other construction types with the same floor plan. Finally, flexible grid sizes further allow for a variety of layouts.
Overall, timpla’s approach significantly reduces timber use without compromising performance. By designing buildings for dismantling, relocation, and refurbishment, the company promotes circular construction and extends the lifespan of materials, an important advantage when working with limited natural resources.
What certification has achieved
“This certification allowed us to improve our procurement systems and collaborate more closely with suppliers to ensure all timber was fully certified,” said Anna Stoltenberg, Sustainability Manager at timpla.
The PEFC audit covered both factory and construction-site processes, including procurement, supplier engagement, subcontractor activities, and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) compliance. It required full documentation of timber origin, helping timpla strengthen internal process management and record-keeping.
The final assessment confirmed that 95% of the timber used in the project was certified. A key takeaway from the process, according to Anna, was the importance of translating internal procedures into daily operational practices and ensuring that suppliers fully understand certification requirements and apply them consistently.
“Achieving 95% certified timber use in their first PEFC Project Certification is a notable outcome for timpla. The company worked diligently to align procurement, supplier engagement, and on-site processes, demonstrating a strong foundation for future certification advancements,” said Michael Kutschke, Senior Supply Chain Specialist at Preferred by Nature.
Strengthening market trust
As buyers increasingly demand proof of material origin and ethical sourcing, third-party certification provides a higher level of assurance than internal claims alone. PEFC certification enhances supply chain transparency and strengthens timpla's position among sustainability-conscious clients and stakeholders.
Looking ahead, timpla plans to expand certification to the factory level and fully integrate new procedures into daily operations. Staff training and maintaining consistency across projects will be central to the company’s long-term strategy.
Preferred by Nature’s role in the process
Preferred by Nature is an international organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable business practices through credible certification solutions aligned with global standards.
“Preferred by Nature played a constructive role throughout the certification process, offering clear guidance, helpful documentation, and goal-oriented support that helped us implement a management standard for the first time,” added Anna.
This successful pilot project marks a significant milestone in timpla’s sustainability journey and shows the practical benefits of third-party verification in responsible timber construction. With certification now in progress, the company is well positioned to expand circular, low-impact housing solutions in Germany.
Cover photo courtesy: Michael Kutschke/Preferred by Nature
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