Mercer Mass Timber Achieves Landmark Chain-of-Custody Milestone at University of Arkansas' New Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation

Regional innovation, sustainable construction, and first Chain-of-Custody benchmark highlight mass timber's future in America

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash., Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Mass Timber (MMT), a leading manufacturer of sustainable timber building materials and a subsidiary of Mercer International Inc., proudly announces its role in the completion of the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design & Materials Innovation at the University of Arkansas, a first-of-its-kind academic hub dedicated to timber design, research, and fabrication using mass timber and other materials.

The 45,000-square-foot, four-story facility showcases how locally sourced, sustainably certified timber can transform both the built environment and the educational landscape.

At the core of the project is 1,079  m³ of Southern Yellow Pine cross-laminated timber (CLT), manufactured at Mercer's Conway, Arkansas, facility—just hours from the Fayetteville site. By sourcing regionally, the project supports Arkansas's working forests, economy, and 52 local jobs.

"Our contribution to the Anthony Timberlands Center reflects the potential of regionally sourced mass timber. With CLT manufactured at our Conway factory, just a few hours from the site, we're proud to support a project that aligns closely with our values: sustainability, regional impact, and purpose-built design. This project stands as a showcase of forward-thinking architecture—and a powerful case for what's possible when material and intent are in sync," said Nick Milestone, Chief Operating Officer, Mercer Mass Timber.

The Anthony Timberlands Center marks Mercer Mass Timber's first chain-of-custody-certified project, with 30% of timber SFI-certified under CoC protocols and the remainder sustainably sourced. This milestone underscores MMT's commitment to transparency, traceability, and responsible forestry practices—ensuring that sustainability claims are verifiable from forest to final installation. The project is also targeting LEED Gold certification and integrates biophilic design, daylighting strategies, and ecological landscaping that connects the campus to the Ozark landscape.

"Through early design-assist, our team collaborated closely with the architects and engineers to tailor the CLT system for constructability, performance, and fabrication efficiency," said Ricardo Brites, Director of Engineering & VDC, Mercer Mass Timber.

"The ATC is a breakthrough in how regional timber and advanced fabrication can deliver both innovation and measurable sustainability. It reflects our commitment to advancing mass timber design in North America."

More information, sales contact information, and inquiry submission can be found on Mercer Mass Timber's website. Project images can be downloaded HERE.

About Mercer Mass Timber

Mercer Mass Timber (MMT) is redefining sustainable construction with innovative, bio-based building materials. MMT combines cutting-edge technology, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainability to create beautiful, low-carbon structures. By partnering with builders, developers, and designers, MMT helps shape greener, more vibrant communities.

Backed by Mercer International, MMT brings the strength and resources of a global leader in wood products and renewable materials to every project.

About Mercer International

Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, USA and Canada with consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of CLT, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and 230 thousand tonnes of biofuels. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its website at https://www.mercerint.com.

Contacts

Mercer Mass Timber
Shel Tejamo
Director of Marketing
[email protected]
C: 341-221-8797

Mother Bear
Kelsey Tomascheski
Director of Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
C: 425-420-8418

SOURCE Mercer Mass Timber