by Web Editor | Jun 29, 2015 | News
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “North America Urea Formaldehyde Resin Market by Application (Particleboard, Medium Density Fiberboard, Plywood, Molding Powder, Adhesives & Coating, Roofing Mat), by Country (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America) – Analysis & Forecast to 2019” report to their offering.
The value of the North America UFR market was $714.6 million in 2014 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2014 to 2019.
The study provides the value chain analysis with respect to UFR raw materials, manufacturers, and end-users. The value chain describes the key contributors to the materials market at different stages from product development to end use. It represents the key players who are contributing to the growth of the North America UFR market.
The impacts of different market factors, such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities are also illustrated in the report. This gives an idea about the key drivers, such as developing furniture industry, rising demand for wood-based panels, rising population, and growing infrastructure industry; and restraints, such as UFR’s toxic emission property, which has influenced major countries to put UFR under stringent regulations.
The UFR market is also classified on the basis of applications. The important applications include particleboard, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), plywood, molding powder, adhesives and coating, and roofing mat, among others. The particleboard segment held the largest share of the UFR market in North America, in terms of consumption.
From Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150625006183/en/Research-Markets-North-America-Urea-Formaldehyde-Resin#.VZGCNKaDrwc
by Web Editor | Jun 24, 2015 | News
Thirteen composite panel facilities and one corporation as a whole were recognized for their safety achievements during the Composite Panel Association’s annual spring meeting held last week in Bonita Springs, FL.
Arauco North America received the Safety Innovation Award for the Safety Leadership Program implemented at its particleboard and MDF mills in Moncure, NC. Arauco’s use of leadership training, monthly safety updates communications, and procedure and policy development resulted in the facilities recording their lowest incident rate in the last 15 years, while the severity and frequency of incidents also decreased. Workers’ compensation claims also dropped 90% in 2014.
Composite panel plants in the Class I (low worker-hours) and Class II (high-worker hours) were also recognized for:
• Best long-term safety record over the past three years: Del-Tin Fiber LLC, El Dorado, AR (Class I) and Louisiana-Pacific Corp., East River, NS (Class II).
• Having zero incidents among Class I plants during 2014: Arauco North America (MDF), Bennettsville, SC; Arauco North America, Malvern, AR; Arauco North America, Sault Ste Marie, ON; and Del-Tin Fiber LLC, El Dorado, AR.
• Safety improvements: West Fraser Mills Ltd. (WestPine), White Court, AB (Class I) and Langboard Inc., Willacoochee, GA (Class II).
• Achieving an incident rate of less than 50% of the industry average, over the past three years. Class I plants were: Arauco North America, Malvern, AR; Del-Tin Fiber LLC, El Dorado, AR; SierraPine, Martell, CA; West Fraser Mills Ltd. (Ranger Board), White Court, AB; and West Fraser Mills Ltd. (WestPine), Quesnel, BC. Class II plants were: Arauco North America, Albany, OR; Louisiana-Pacific Corp., East River, NS; Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Roaring River, NC; and Roseburg, Missoula, MT.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/composite-panel-plants-recognized-safety-achievements
by Web Editor | Apr 29, 2015 | News
A new panel technology integrating wood, textile and geometric cutting patterns, is adding another dimension to furniture and architectural design.
Developed by Wood-Skin Srl, which was founded in 2013, the highly-flexible Wood-Skin panels incorporate a core of nylon mesh and polyester resin sandwiched between layers of Finnish birch plywood, MDF, OSB, Okume or other specialty materials, and finished with wood or stone veneer, laminates, metal or varnish.
After the panel core is made, 3D modelling software is used to create the design pattern. The sheets are then routed into the prescribed polygon shapes/angles. These become the bending points, or “digital hinges,” for shaping the one-piece Wood-Skin panel into architectural millwork, such as ceilings, curtain walls and facades, or as self-supporting 3D furniture, such as tables.
Already with projects under its belt Wood-Skin Srl also debuted its “Programmable Table” at this year’s Fuori Salone Del Mobile in Milan. The table was a collaboration with MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, with Biesse as the technical sponsor.
Standard sheets of the Wood-Skin panel are 1200mm x 1250/2450/3050mm, 1500mm x 1550/2550/3050mm and 2500mm x 1250mm, with three thicknesses — 4mm, 6.5mm and 12mm — available. The company says Wood-Skin can be used for indoor or outdoor projects, and is available with water-resistant and fire-resistant characteristics.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/One-Piece-Wood-Skin-Panels-Can-Be-Bent-Into-3D-Shapes-301211771.html#sthash.DPEom1yl.dpbs
by Web Editor | Apr 6, 2015 | News
A gradual increase in housing starts across the U.S. and better timber prices are two factors behind Plum Creek Timber Co.’s decision to invest $10 million in plant improvements at its Northwest Montana manufacturing plants.
“We’re optimistic overall for another good year,” said Tom Ray, Plum Creek’s vice president of northwest resources and manufacturing. “The largest single concern is the lack of raw materials, but we’re hoping Congress will address that.”
One of the largest landowners in the U.S., Plum Creek had a strong year in 2014, reporting earnings of $214 million on $1.48 billion in revenues. Harvest numbers were 13 percent over 2013. But timber resources in Northwest Montana can be a concern. Last year, Plum Creek cut back hours for workers at the Columbia Falls sawmill from 40 hours per week to 36 after a federal court ruling blocked several timber sales on state forest land. “We had a decline there, but once we get past breakup and into early summer, we’re hopeful to go back to a regular schedule,” Ray said.
Plum Creek plans to invest $6 million at its medium-density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls. The No. 1 line, which was built in 1974 and manufactures panels up to 1 1/4 inches thick, will see $1.6 million for improvements to reliability and efficiency. Another $300,000 will be spent on computer equipment and monitoring cameras.
The company also plans to spend $2 million on the MDF plant’s No. 2 line, which was built in 2001 at a cost of $80 million and produces thin panels one-tenth of an inch thick. The furniture industry is a major customer, but other businesses now use MDF products.
From Hungry Horse News: https://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/plum-creek-to-invest-mil-in-local-plants/article_e8e443a2-d883-11e4-ad41-cfbdb6471aba.html
by Web Editor | Mar 9, 2015 | News
Norbord Ran All European Mills At Maximum Capacity In 2014
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376180744-0'); });
Norbord operated all of its European manufacturing sites at full steam in the 2014 financial year. The company invested in expanding and optimizing its particleboard mill in Cowie, Scotland and in two OSB mills in Inverness, Scotland and Genk, Belgium during the year.
These projects boosted its four mills’ capacity by around 170 million sqft (3/8’’ basis) or roughly 150,000 m³ to almost 1.8bn sqft or 1.6m m³ per year. Manufacturing edged 5 % higher to 1.690bn sqft or 1.495m m³. The two OSB mills and the particleboard and MDF mill in Cowie set new production records. All five locations continued operating until scheduled stoppages for maintenance and holidays.
Norbord thus said that its capacity utilization increased to 105 %. Sales were 6 % higher than in 2013 at 1.663bn sqft or 1.472m m³. Norbord improved its European revenues by almost 10 % to US$510m as a result. Higher sales volumes, increased particleboard and MDF prices as well as currency effects associated with the stronger pound Sterling against the US dollar more than made up for lower OSB prices.
Higher wage, raw material and maintenance costs also slimmed earnings. Operating income, which was expressed as adjusted EBITDA, still climbed to US$47m. The EBITDA margin weakened to 9.2 %.
From EUWID: euwid-wood-products.com
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548375988914-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1589916740199-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376916922-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376961890-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548377005333-0'); });
The monthly Panel World Industry Newsletter reaches over 3,000 who represent primary panel production operations.
Panel World is delivered six times per year to North American and international professionals, who represent primary panel production operations. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative. Contact us today!
