What's different about our lightweight plywood panels?
A few years ago we felt that the lightweight plywood market in the UK had become stagnant, there was a lack of innovation and a lack of competition that has led to constant price rises.
We set out on a quest to find an alternative that was equal or better in quality than the current offerings but could be passed on to buyers at a far more competitive price point.
SO WHAT DID WE FIND?
Poplar isn't the most efficient material choice for lightweight plywood panels
Okay,
so what is?
Our panels are manufactured using PAULOWNIA, a fast growing hardwood that is often refered to as "The aluminium of timber" because is has the highest strength to weight ratio of any known timber, perfect for light weight plywood panels.
Paulownia is commonly found in South East Asia, with large agroforestry crops in Japan, South Korea and China but has also seen some large crops planted in Spain, Germany, UK, and Eastern Europe in recent years as its unique properties are being slowly realised by European markets.
A popular choice of timber with surf board manufacturers due to its weight, strength and buoyancy, Paulownia has also been used for centuries in Japan for making furniture and instruments. It is also a popular choice in
aircraft and boat construction due to it's weight an strength.
Paulownia is the "go to" timber for light weight applications in many parts of the world.
So what makes it so special?
The highest strength to weight ratio of any known timber, 30% lighter than European grown Yellow Poplar
Very high flash point providing increased fire protection, ignites at over 400℃, more than double the temperature than most common timbers
Extreme dimensional stability, once Paulownia has been mechanically dried it resists absorbing moisture again, resulting in less swelling and shrinking than alternative timber choices
Good workability, virtually knot free timber
Amazing carbon capture properties, Paulownia absorbs approx 10 times the CO2 of other agroforestry crops. Paulownia plantations are now being created with the direct aim of helping achieve net zero targets. This results in an extremely sustainable product
Excellent screw retention due to the grain????
Unique thermal properties, a log house constructed with Paulownia has nearly double the R value of a house constructed with Oak or Pine
Rot resistant due to it natural lack of porosity
Paulownia timber is completely ordurless
One of the fastest growing trees in the world, Paulownia can be harvested in under 15 years, it is very hardy and can thrive in soil that lacks nutrients where no other tree will grow. It is often planted in areas to help regenerate poor ground.
Paulownia has many great advantages, both for the enviroment and for use as timber, and these are the reasons that we have chosen it as the core material of our new product. Lightweight plywood that it 30% lighter than the current industry standard, what's not to like?
