The new product innovation improves the cost-effectiveness of wood construction and the circular economy. The partition wall system developed by AINS Group enables thinner wood-framed structures and increases material and space efficiency in a wide range of construction projects. The development of the product has been carried out in close cooperation with Würth.
The Finnish product innovation promotes the use of wood and enables low-carbon partition wall solutions in construction. Thanks to the new bracket, partition walls can be implemented with a structure that is up to 40 percent thinner and has excellent sound insulation. The fastening system also facilitates the dismantling of structures and thus the recyclability of materials, as well as increases fire safety.
The partition wall system (W-AKU)® consists of partition wall brackets and a T-list. In addition, Würth has developed installation products for the system. The durable yet flexible partition wall bracket enables single-frame sound-insulating wooden frame walls in all new construction and renovation sites – residential apartment buildings, offices and public buildings such as schools and kindergartens.
With the help of the W-AKU partition wall system, partition wall structures can be implemented up to 40 percent thinner than at present. The fastening system also makes it easier to dismantle the structures and thus the recyclability of materials.
"Due to the thinner partition wall, much less material is needed and more square metres are created. The partition wall system is an example of how in construction, even one new product innovation can have a very significant impact on the consumption of materials, climate emissions and facilitate the realisation of recyclability," says Jesse Lietzén, Regional Director at AINS Group.
"The partition wall system is an example of how a single product innovation can have a significant impact on material consumption."
Jesse Lietzén
Regional Director, Acoustic Design and Product Development
A-Insinöörit
The new partition wall system also brings significant benefits to space alterations and renovation, where the purpose of use is changed, for example, from offices to apartments. The fasteners allow the walls to be dismantled and wooden frames to be recycled. The panel walls are unscrewed and the frame parts and insulation of the system can be reused.
In addition to costs and climate emissions, time is also saved
Calculations show that, for example, in a large office building, the cost benefit consisting of the square metre and material savings of the partition wall system can be as much as 200,000 euros.
The carbon footprint of a small apartment building, on the other hand, can be up to 420 tonnes of CO₂ lower than usual thanks to the system.
Compared to conventional single-frame wooden frame walls, the bracket improves sound insulation by up to 10 decibels. This is based on point-like fastenings and a flexible but load-resistant fastener that detaches the plate field from the frame. In the event of a fire, the bracket curbs the transfer of heat between the frame and the plates.
"The system is designed to be as easy to install as possible. Construction is accelerated by two to three weeks, and time savings can be doubled in modular solutions. For construction companies and developers, the innovation brings a whole new kind of business potential," says Arto Hyttinen, Specialist at AINS Group.
Based on the invention of AINS Group's acoustic designers, a product was developed in cooperation with Würth, a supplier of construction supplies, whose selection includes the W-AKU partition wall system. The sound insulation, load resistance and fire properties of the system have been verified in AINS Group's structural design digital laboratory.
Further information:
Jesse Lietzén, Regional Director, Acoustic Design and Product Development, AINS Group,
tel. 040 672 5121
jesse.lietzen@ains.fi
Arto Hyttinen, Specialist, Acoustic Design and Product Development, AINS Grouptel. 040 5296594
arto.hyttinen@ains.fi