Building with timber: how YEXIO data centres make a difference

You may have noticed that data centres tend to be large grey boxes made from steel and concrete. YEXIO takes a very different approach, using a material we are more likely to associate with cosy living rooms or stylish holiday homes: timber. It might sound unusual at first, but it is a genuinely smart solution. Here is why.

Timber instead of steel and concrete? Absolutely!

YEXIO has a particularly distinctive feature: instead of constructing the usual reinforced-concrete blocks, it uses timber façades and structural elements for its data centres. The advantage? A significantly better carbon footprint. Trees absorb carbon dioxide while they grow, and timber continues to store that carbon when used as a building material. YEXIO puts this property to work, enabling its data centres to actively store carbon and reduce their environmental impact.

Absorption: YEXIO planted new trees for the timber used in Heiligenhaus—more on that later. These trees absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and help reduce atmospheric carbon levels.
Storage: The timber structures in the first data centre store around 950 tonnes of CO₂—a considerable amount. The carbon remains safely stored for as long as the timber stays in the building.
Substitution: Using timber instead of steel and concrete reduces the carbon footprint of the Heiligenhaus data centre by around 600 tonnes.

Timber—green and practical

Of course timber is environmentally friendly. But it does more than look attractive; it also offers tangible benefits. Timber is a natural insulator, making it much easier to keep noise and temperature under control.

But what about fire safety?

When we think of timber, many of us immediately think of fire. Understandably so. But there is no need to panic—modern timber buildings are much safer than you might expect. In fact, timber can behave more predictably in a fire than steel or concrete, helping firefighters respond more effectively. Thick timber components are also used, which do not catch fire quickly, and the material can receive additional fire-retardant treatment. An intelligent sensor system provides early fire detection as well. So timber and fire safety? Not a problem.

Sustainability in action: planting trees

To balance the timber used for the first data centre, the YEXIO team planted 600 trees in Heiligenhaus Community Forest in autumn 2023. We would like to thank everyone involved—and the Heiligenhaus Environmental Education Centre in particular—for their commitment. These trees compensate for the timber used and make a major contribution to cleaner air and carbon absorption.

Curious to discover how sustainable construction is changing the future? Find out more about YEXIO data centres and how we can make a positive impact on the environment together.