September 18, 2025
To Members of the Press
Shelter Co., Ltd.
Yoshihiro Kimura, President
COOL WOOD Fireproof Timber Components Certified with EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
Shelter Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture; President: Yoshihiro Kimura) is pleased to announce that its fireproof timber product, COOL WOOD, has obtained an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for columns with one-hour and two-hour fireproof specifications, certified through EPD Hub.* The certification was officially published on June 27, 2025.
An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is an internationally recognized environmental label (Type III), disclosed in accordance with ISO 14025, that quantifies and communicates environmental data such as CO₂ emissions using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Widely adopted across Europe and North America—and increasingly in Japan—EPDs serve as an objective indicator for evaluating and selecting environmentally responsible products. In addition to measuring climate change impact, EPDs also assess resource utilization and broader impacts on natural capital.
Obtaining an EPD for structural components composed of multiple building materials is a significant step toward visualizing CO₂ emissions in construction, enabling specific initiatives to reduce embodied carbon, and promoting broader use of LCA in assessment and evaluation. Furthermore, EPD-certified products can contribute additional points in green building certifications and are expected to see expanded demand in overseas markets.
As a sustainable fireproof timber solution, COOL WOOD will continue to play a central role in advancing our corporate vision of “Creating Forests in Cities.” By promoting effective use of forest resources, Shelter is committed to reducing environmental impact and contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Certified Products:
Notes
※1: EPD Hub
An EPD program operator based in Ireland.
※2: LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
A methodology that enables quantitative evaluation, comparison, and optimization of environmental impacts throughout the entire product life cycle—from raw material procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and consumption to disposal—based on ISO 14040 and 14044.
※3: Environmental Impact Indicators
Indicators for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product across multiple dimensions. These include climate change (GWP), ozone depletion (ODP), acidification (AP), eutrophication (EP), and photochemical oxidant formation (POCP).
※4: Resource Use Indicators
Indicators for evaluating the amount and depletion risk of resources consumed by a product. These include renewable and non-renewable resources, renewable and non-renewable energy, and freshwater use.
※5: Embodied Carbon
CO₂ emissions generated throughout the life cycle of a building—from material procurement, manufacturing, and transportation to construction, maintenance, demolition, and recycling.
Background of EPD Certification
As part of our global expansion, Shelter signed technology licensing agreements with WaltGalmarini AG (Switzerland, 2023), Magnusson Klemencic Associates (USA, 2024), and Häring & Co. AG (Switzerland, 2025). These agreements cover our proprietary timber construction technologies, including the KES (Kimura Excellent Structure) joint system and the COOL WOOD fireproof timber components, both essential for the realization of urban Mass-timber buildings.
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Overview of COOL WOOD
COOL WOOD is a fireproof timber component that incorporates gypsum board as a sacrificial fire-stopping layer. It has received Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) certification for 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours of fire-resistance—the 2- and 3-hour certifications being the first of their kind in Japan. The technology is patented in Japan, Canada, and Switzerland.
The structural load-bearing core can utilize various timber types with densities equal to or greater than cedar, including sawn timber, glulam, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Through the Japan Fire-proof Timber building Association, the technology is openly shared with the industry.
Awarded the 2020 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Technology Category.
Company Profile
Company Name : Shelter Co., Ltd.
President : Yoshihiro Kimura
Head Office : 1-5-13 Matsusakae, Yamagata City, Yamagata 990-2473
Tokyo Office : Mita Bellju Building 9F, 5-36-7 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014
Founded : December 1974
Business Activities :
- Research, design, manufacturing, and sales of timber structural components
(KES system, COOL WOOD fireproof members, FREE STYLE WOOD curved/twisted timber) - Design (architectural and structural) and construction of mass timber buildings
(large-scale, mid- to high-rise, and fireproof) - Fire-resistance design and consulting for timber construction
- Custom large timber furniture and interior fabrication using 3D processing
- Custom home design, construction, and renovation
- Planning and coordination for mass timber urban development
Website: https://www.shelter.inc/
Trademarks:
“Timber City”, “Creating Forests in Cities”, “KES”, “COOL WOOD”, and “FREE STYLE WOOD ” are registered trademarks of Shelter Co., Ltd.
