Bio-based prefabricated slab: Woodlite bets on wood concrete

A prefabricated slab designed to reduce the carbon footprint of floors

The building sector accounts for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in France. In this context, solutions incorporating bio-based materials are playing an increasingly important role in order to meet the objectives of the national low-carbon strategy and the requirements of the RE2020 regulation.

With Woodlite , Rector expands its range of prefabricated floors by integrating bio-based wood-concrete blocks into an Rsoft reinforced concrete slab. The aim is to reduce the floor's carbon footprint through biogenic carbon storage, without altering the construction principles already used by structural engineering companies.

A design adapted to collective housing and public access buildings

The Woodlite slab is designed for low, intermediate, and high floors, as well as roof terraces. It can be used on all types of structures and in all seismic zones of metropolitan France.

The system combines a low-carbon precast concrete slab , bio-based wood-concrete blocks , and a concrete compression layer that allows for the integration of technical networks if needed. This configuration meets the requirements of projects seeking a proportion of bio-based materials while maintaining the mechanical characteristics of a prefabricated floor.

A certified FDES (Environmental and Health Declaration) to meet environmental standards

The slab benefits from a certified Environmental and Health Declaration Sheet (FDES) , available in the INIES database. According to this declaration, Woodlite displays a quantity of biogenic carbon of 5,53 kgCO₂/UF per m² , an indicator intended to facilitate compliance with the requirements of environmental standards and low-carbon construction approaches.

This documentation is a useful resource for project owners, design offices and project managers involved in projects incorporating environmental criteria or objectives related to bio-based materials.

Implementation identical to a conventional precast slab

One of Rector's key advantages lies in the continuity of on-site practices. The installation of Woodlite uses the same methods as for a conventional precast reinforced concrete slab, without altering the interfaces with other trades.

The finishes, joint treatment, network integration, and installation and concreting rates remain comparable to traditional solutions. This compatibility limits the adaptations required by construction companies and facilitates the adoption of this prefabricated slab for both multi-family housing and commercial building projects.

“Woodlite reflects Rector’s ambition: to improve the carbon performance of floors and the integration of a high-value-added bio-based material.”

By combining prefabricated concrete and wood-concrete, Rector offers a solution for projects seeking to reduce their carbon footprint without disrupting the design and implementation practices of building professionals. This approach aligns with the evolution of construction practices encouraged by environmental standards and the increasing use of bio-based materials.