As the demand for sustainable food production grows, so too does the need for construction solutions that meet the unique requirements of controlled environment agriculture. Finnish technology company VacuumWood.tech is bringing an unconventional material back into the spotlight: wood.

Reengineered to thrive in high-humidity, high-efficiency environments like vertical farms, the company’s modular wooden construction system is designed to address moisture management, one of the key challenges in vertical farming infrastructure.

The wooden vertical farming building of the future

Building for controlled environments
Traditional wooden structures often struggle in humid environments, where excess moisture can lead to biodegradation and mould growth. To combat this, VacuumWood.tech has developed a system that combines vacuum drying technology, moisture-resistant coatings, and real-time monitoring to create durable, low-maintenance wooden modules built for the future of food production.

“Excess moisture is one of the biggest threats to building durability, especially when using wood,” explains Pasi Herranen, CEO of VacuumWood.tech. “Our solution systematically removes moisture before it reaches critical levels, protecting the structure for decades, or even centuries, to come.”

Real-time monitoring and energy efficiency
The company’s system integrates IoT sensors directly into the wooden frames, allowing property owners to remotely monitor the structural health of their buildings. If moisture levels rise, the vacuum drying process is automatically triggered, reducing the risk of water damage and the need for costly, invasive repairs.

Beyond structural integrity, the system offers environmental advantages. The modules are designed to store large amounts of biogenic carbon, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint for new building projects. “Our construction modules are deeply carbon negative because they store significant amounts of biogenic carbon within the wooden frames for decades,” Herranen adds.

VacuumWood.tech’s pilot facility located in Piikkiö, Finland

Tested in real-world conditions
VacuumWood.tech has already built a pilot facility at the horticultural research centre of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) in Piikkiö, where the system has been tested under real-world conditions. The facility’s flat roof design, made possible by the strength of the wooden modules, opens opportunities for additional urban infrastructure, from solar panels to rooftop farms.

During development, the company also introduced a transparent, moisture-resistant coating that enhances durability while giving the wooden structures a clean, modern aesthetic suitable for urban environments.

“We wanted these structures to feel at home in the city,” says Herranen. “The transparent coating gives the buildings a contemporary look while maintaining the performance and sustainability benefits of wood.”

A prototype with transparent coating, including a place for a window. Click here to view an artistic video from YouTube, celebrating the performance of this technology

Scaling insulation technology
VacuumWood.tech’s most recent breakthrough involves vacuum insulation technology that significantly improves the energy efficiency of the modules. Third-party testing has validated the system’s performance, with insulation levels exceeding the strictest Nordic standards for residential construction. The company now aims to scale this innovation for commercial use.

As vertical farming continues to evolve, the demand for energy-efficient, sustainable infrastructure is expected to grow in parallel. VacuumWood.tech is currently exploring partnerships with developers, agritech companies, and investors interested in piloting its system for warehouse-like facilities and urban food production sites.

For more information:
VacuumWood.tech
Pasi Herranen, CEO
+358468108844
[email protected]
www.vacuumwood.tech