Europly PLUS™ and MPX® Hardwood Plywood Panels from Columbia Forest Products Accepted into the Material ConneXion Library of Innovative Materials

Products are cited for their innovation, sustainability and application versatility.

Greensboro, N.C., September 26, 2012 – Material ConneXion, a groundbreaking global materials consultancy with offices worldwide, has certified two Columbia Forest Products decorative plywood products for inclusion in its Library of Innovative Materials & Processes.

A jury convened by Material ConneXion consisting of an international panel of design experts and materials specialists selected CFP’s Europly PLUS™ Hardwood Plywood and MPX® Hardwood Plywood among the newest entrants into the world’s largest library of advanced, innovative and sustainable materials and processes.

According to Michael LaGreca, Material ConneXion’s vice president of marketing, product submissions are evaluated by the jury under a strict review process according to three key criteria: innovation and improvements on existing materials; sustainability; and the application versatility of the product. Products that are judged to be noteworthy in any or all of these characteristics are given a Certification of Material Excellence and are accepted into the library.

The two Columbia Forest Products items added to the Material ConneXion library were selected in part because of their strong sustainability attributes.

MPX Hardwood Plywood is a veneer core panel with smooth crossbands of sustainably harvested North American Yellow Poplar (tulip wood) under the decorative veneer layer. The plies are laminated with soy-based formaldehyde-free PureBond® resin, making the panels strong and resilient while possessing excellent machinability and moisture-resistant characteristics.

MPX panels deliver a smoother decorative veneer face compared to standard veneer core panels. Veneer core “telegraphing” that is commonly experienced in conventional products is dramatically reduced, making the product ideal for applications where an extremely clean, even surface finish is desired – such as the interior and exterior of cabinet boxes, furniture, casework and fixtures.

Euro-Ply PLUS Hardwood Plywood is a multi-layer hardwood core panel composed of 100% Birch construction with an exposed “Eurostyle” edge finish – a visually striking edge that architects and designers utilize for a contemporary, natural appearance.

Like the MPX product, the decorative faces and inner plies of Europly PLUS panels are laminated using PureBond no-added-formaldehyde (NAUF) technology, with the accompanying strength, durability, machinability and high-volume production attributes.

Both the MPX and Europly PLUS products are available as certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ecolabel. And because they contain no added urea formaldehyde, they are CARB Phase 2-compliant and may contribute to LEED® IEQ 4.4 green building credits. Decorative face veneers are offered in a wide range of grades and species such as Anigre, Zebrawood, Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Birch, Hickory and Mahogany.

Commenting on the addition of new CFP products into Material ConneXion’s Library of Innovative Materials & Processes, Todd Vogelsinger, Columbia Forest Products’ director of marketing, said, “We’re delighted that MPX and Europly PLUS now join other CFP products with formaldehyde-free PureBond technology that have been accepted into Material ConneXion’s library. Among the great advantages of our products are the combination of their natural and sustainable characteristics with visual appeal, notable strength and long-life durability. We’re pleased that the experts agree.”

For more information about Europly PLUS and MPX hardwood plywood products, contact Todd Vogelsinger, director of marketing at cfpmarketing@cfpwood.com.

About Columbia Forest Products and PureBond® Technology
Established in 1957, Columbia Forest Products is America’s largest manufacturer of decorative hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer. An employee-owned company, it operates facilities throughout North America. It is a leader in sustainable forestry, as well as developing innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and products for healthy indoor living.

Columbia Forest Products has provided fine decorative hardwood plywood veneer panels to North American fabricators for 55 years. The company is committed to offering the industry’s widest product selection, manufactured in efficient, technologically advanced mills, and backed by exceptional service and product support. For more information, visit www.cfpwood.com.

Columbia’s formaldehyde-free PureBond® technology was a major breakthrough in the engineered wood panel market. Developed by Columbia Forest Products in conjunction with scientists at Oregon State University, the first PureBond® hardwood plywood panels were produced in 2005. Since then, more than 50 million have been shipped.

PureBond® formaldehyde-free technology continues to be a market differentiator for woodshops that cater to a health-conscious clientele. Over 850 fabricators have joined the PureBond Fabricator Network (http://www.cfpwood.com/Fabricators/PFN) to identify themselves as leading-edge suppliers who are thoughtful about the materials they use and the concern customers have with good indoor air quality and home resale value.

About Material ConneXion
Established in 1997, Material ConneXion is a materials consultancy that helps companies research and source advanced materials to enhance the performance, aesthetics and sustainability of their projects. Material ConneXion houses nearly 7,000 innovative products in its Library of Innovative Materials & Processes, covering a wide range of materials such as wood, glass, metals, ceramics, polymers, and other natural, carbon-based and cement-based materials. New materials and products are added to the library each month based on jury review and selection.

Material ConneXion’s Library of Innovative Materials & Processes serves as a comprehensive, valuable resource for product design engineers, architects and interior designers, production/quality control managers and others working at Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing firms, A&E firms and other professional organizations, government agencies and the media.

Physical material samples are housed in Material ConneXion’s library facilities located in nine urban centers in North America, Europe and Asia. Unlimited access to information is also available via its online database (http://materialconnexion.com/Home/Services/MaterialsLibrary/tabid/89/Default.aspx). Material ConneXion is opening a new European location in late 2012 (Copenhagen) as well as planning to establish additional locations in China between 2012 and 2017, which will increase its offices in that country from two to eight. For more information, visit Material Connexion