A Look Back at Openly × Cancret Industry Days 2026
The Openly x Cancret Industry Days took place on June 30 and July 2. Across three stops, we witnessed keen interest and an in-depth professional exchange—with media representatives, architects, project managers, and numerous timber builders. Together with our partners Schöb AG and Ammann Bau, we were able to demonstrate the entire manufacturing process for Cancret hemp-lime exterior walls—from timber-frame construction to the production and application of the hemp-lime mixture, culminating in an on-site tour at Valley Widnau.
Station 1 – Schöb AG, Gams (CH) – Wood-Frame Construction
The tour began with a visit to Schöb AG in Gams. As a timber construction company, Schöb manufactures the load-bearing wooden frame elements that form the basis of every Cancret exterior wall. On site, Peter Fässler’s team demonstrated the precise assembly of the frame structures, including window and door openings—precision work that is essential for later filling the frames with the hemp-lime mixture.
Station 2 – Ammann Bau, Nenzing (AT) – Mixing and Filling
The tour continued to Ammann Bau in Nenzing. Here, the hemp-lime mixture is produced using hemp shives—a renewable raw material—and a mineral binder; it is then applied to the prefabricated wood-frame elements and compacted by the team led by Managing Director Jürgen Ritter and Production Manager Peter Wachter. The guests were able to witness the entire mixing and filling process up close and gained insight into the formulation, compaction, and drying of the elements.
Station 3 – Valley Widnau, Widnau (CH) – Tour of Stages 1 and 2
The “journey” concluded in Widnau. At Phase 1 of the Valley Widnau project—which has already been completed—guests were able to get an up-close look at the installed hemp-lime exterior walls and experience the quality of the material in its finished state. The tour then continued to the construction site for Phase 2, where the next Cancret elements will soon be installed—thus impressively completing the cycle on-site, from timber-frame construction through infill to the finished facade. Openly is constructing the buildings as a full-service contractor.
In closing, we would like to look ahead.
We are pleased that the SIA is hosting its own workshop on Openly's “Buildings as a Carbon Sink ”:
Certification of Biogenic Buildings Under the C-Sink Standard
Prefabricated hemp-lime elements
Drywall Construction Using Clay Panels for Interior Walls
Prefabricated Solid Wood-Clay Floors
The perfect opportunity for architects, planners, investors, and engineers. You can find all the details and the registration form here:
If you’re ready to adapt the planning of your next building to the new CO₂-negative reality, contact us—we’ll guide you through the implementation process.
Martin Bodmer
CEO, Cancret AG
LinkedIn
Martin.Bodmer@cancret.com
+41 79 383 36 16