The original cost-competitive decorative hardwood plywood without added formaldehyde — and a proven example of Columbia Forest Products’ ongoing leadership in responsible hardwood panel innovation. 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.
WHAT MAKES PUREBOND® SO GREAT?
OVER 250 MILLION PANELS SOLD
SOY-BASED
LEED® COMPLIANT
COST COMPETITIVE
A REMARKABLE BREATH OF FRESH THINKING — STILL MOVING HARDWOOD PLYWOOD FORWARD
Replacing traditional urea formaldehyde (UF) resin 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.)
PureBond® is a proven, scaled technology that continues to support healthier indoor environments, practical fabrication, and cost-competitive hardwood plywood construction.
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 makes PureBond® especially meaningful is that it brought formaldehyde-free innovation into everyday hardwood plywood use. Columbia did not treat responsible chemistry as a niche upgrade. PureBond® was developed as a cost-competitive solution that could work at scale for distributors, fabricators, specifiers, and homeowners.
PureBond® combines responsible technology, real hardwood beauty, broad application potential, and the support of an employee-owned manufacturer with deep experience in decorative hardwood plywood and veneer.
THE COLUMBIA DIFFERENCE
PureBond® is one part of a larger Columbia Forest Products story.
Columbia is an employee-owned hardwood plywood and veneer manufacturer with a purpose centered on serving employee owners and their families, customers, communities, and natural resources. That ownership culture shapes how Columbia approaches product quality, customer support, responsible forestry, and long-term innovation.
PureBond® reflects that approach. It is not simply a product feature or a chemistry claim. It is a practical example of Columbia’s commitment to making decorative hardwood plywood better for the people who manufacture it, specify it, fabricate it, install it, and live with it. As hardwoodplywood needs continue to evolve, Columbia continues to support customers with product education, responsible manufacturing practices, core options, specification guidance, and new panel solutions designed for real-world applications.
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FEATURES & BENEFITS
- A PROVEN SOLUTION: PureBond Technology has been in place since 2006, with over 200 million panels manufactured, placed in service.
- BROADER CORE SELECTION: PureBond® is available in multiple construction options, including veneer core, PVA assembly for three-ply panels, and formaldehyde-free MDF and particleboard 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. [FSC-C071500]
- NORTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURING: Panels are made in Canada and the United States.
- SPECIFICATION SUPPORT: LEED® accredited professional support, sampling for client presentations available. 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.
WHERE TO BUY
Whether you're a large contractor or a DIY hobbyist, Columbia Forest Products are conveniently available throughout North America. Find your wholesale distributor or Home Depot store here!