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PureBond® Hardwood Plywood
LEED® & CARB compliant. Cost competitive. Sometimes, it’s what you can’t see that makes the biggest difference.
Winner, EPA’s Greener Synthetic Pathways Challenge
Soy-Based Technology.
Cost-Competitive.
North American Made.
And only from Columbia Forest Products.
The original cost-competitive decorative hardwood plywood without the formaldehyde. PureBond® describes Columbia Forest Products’ formaldehyde-free assembly process for hardwood plywood manufacturing, which includes the use of Soy, poly vinyl acetate (white glue) and Polymeric Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (pMDI) medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard cores in manufacture of ANSI HP-1 voluntary plywood grades.
Replacing traditional urea formaldehyde (UF) glue in veneer core and composite core hardwood plywood construction with formaldehyde-free PureBond processes and components enables Columbia to eliminate added formaldehyde from standard veneer-core and pMDI composite hardwood plywood core panels.
Columbia has been on the forefront of adopting formaldehyde-free or no-added formaldehyde assemblies to help our employees, fabricators and end users reduce exposure to added formaldehyde since it was uplisted from probable to a known, human carcinogen in 2005 by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC.)
Watch the “Why PureBond Plywood?” video below!
Formaldehyde-free
When we say PureBond technology is “formaldehyde-free“, we’re describing the way our hardwood plywood panels are comprised of no added formaldehyde components and assembled with no added formaldehyde adhesives. By eliminating urea formaldehyde chemistry from this product line, Columbia third-party testing and audits provide supply chain partners, fabricators and consumers peace of mind with regard to a known source of formaldehyde exposure, eliminated.
Less cost, more benefit
What really makes PureBond special is that it’s a proven solution, cost-competitive with the standard urea formaldehyde panels still being made in North America. And it is catching up within the industry as well with over 60% of the panels constructed in North America today using soy or PVA technology of which we are justifiably proud as original innovator which paved the way for other firms to follow, driving down the cost of the innovation for everyone’s benefit and uptake.
| Biomimicry: Nature-inspired design |
|---|
 As the pacific Ocean swirled around him, a question rushed into Dr. Kaichang Li’s head : how do mussels keep their grip on rocks that are constantly pounded by waves?Dr. Li, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, found that mussels secrete proteins known as byssal threads, which provide superior strength and extraordinary flexibility. His curiosity led to groundbreaking research – funded by Columbia Forest Products and others – based in the principles of biomimicry, which studies nature and then imitates its designs and processes to solve human problems.Li discovered that soy proteins can be modified to perform similarly to byssal threads. And not only did they deliver phenomenal adhesion, they also offered exceptional water resistance. This breakthrough led to PureBond, proving that enhanced environmental quality and increased product performance can go hand in hand. |
PureBond®. A Breath of Fresh Thinking
- A proven Solution: PureBond Technology has been in place since 2006, with over 200 million panels manufactured, placed in service.
- Broader Core Selection: The PureBond® brand offering has expanded to include NAF poly vinyl acetate (PVA) assembly for three ply panels as well as use of formaldehyde-free MDF and particleboard NAF pMDI composite cores.
- Transformational Innovation: EPA Synthetic Pathways Award winner for green chemistry innovation, soy-based PureBond (which represents the lion’s share of production) is an outstanding example of biomimicry which successfully transformed a significant industrial process away from a known, human carcinogen.
- TSCA, CARB, CANFOR Compliant: PureBond panels are compliant with the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Title VI / California Air Resources Board (CARB) Air Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Composite Wood as certified by Capital Testing and Certification Services, TPC-08.
- Low Emitting: PureBond panels typically test as below lower quotient (BLQ) for formaldehyde emissions which means the panels emit less formaldehyde than the tests methods can reliably detect.
- Fabricator familiarity: Panels can be specified as FSC® Mix upon request at time of order placement through the largest network of chain-of-custody certified distribution on the continent.
- Trading Block Support: Panels are made in Canada and the United States.
- LEED Compliant: PureBond panels meet the requirements for United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building program under the Composite Wood Analysis which equates compliance with meeting TSCA NAF or ULEF emissions designation for < 0.05 ppm formaldehyde.
- Specification Support: LEED® accredited professional on staff, samples, support are a phone call or email away.
The Columbia Difference
Columbia Forest Products, an employee-owned company, has worked with industry partners, associations, ENGOs and other stakeholders to uphold, enshrine and improve healthy sustainable green building practices and innovative manufacturing. Every day we make new connections to fabricators and homeowners letting them know how easy it is to get top-quality cabinets, furniture and built-ins without the risk of added formaldehyde.
Your kitchen dealer, cabinet shop, remodeler or builder can help you make sure your new cabinets or furniture are made with PureBond products. When combined with other low-emitting interior design decisions and operational choices, PureBond can help owners reduce VOC emissions from construction materials into the interior air of their built spaces today. While a lot of factors contribute to good or bad interior air quality in a structure, starting with elimination of formaldehyde in carpets, textiles, added decorative elements is a great start to improve likelihood of healthier environments for everyone’s enjoyment.
