COMPOSITE PANEL PRODUCTS: GREEN BY NATURE!

By their very nature, composite wood panels are among the greenest building materials in the marketplace. They are produced from recycled wood and wood residuals that would otherwise be wasted or dumped in landfills, making exceptional use of our valuable wood resource. They require less energy to make than other materials and produce fewer harmful by-products. And, they can be reused or left to biodegrade naturally when their service life is done.

When combined with the wide variety of innovative and durable decorative overlays available today, wood-based composite panels create products that are a great choice for environmentally-conscious consumers.

FIBER

Particleboard, MDF and hardboard are traditionally manufactured from recycled and recovered wood fiber. Alternate fiber types, such as agricultural residues, have also been successfully used in the production of composite panels. The wood species used by each manufacturer is noted in the Guide. Different species may impart unique characteristics to the panel such as color, weight and performance.

RESINS

The North American composite panel industry has always been a world leader in the development of high quality, high value, environmentally friendly products. For decades the predominant resin used to manufacture particleboard and MDF has been urea-formaldehyde (UF). This workhorse technology is strong, colorless and economical; and recent technological improvements have allowed manufacturers to reduce the formaldehyde emissions from their products to meet the tough new ‘CARB Rule’ requirements in California.

In addition many composite panel manufacturers are developing ultra low-emitting and “no added formaldehyde” products. These new systems will expand the panel options available to customers and allow manufacturers to develop products tailored specifically to the individual needs of every customer.

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PRODUCT (EPP) PROGRAMS

The CPA's Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) program is the most widely-specified environmental certification program for composite wood products in North America. It is the only environmental certification program that has achieved ANSI accreditation.

Products certified to CPA’s EPP Certification Program must demonstrate that they are made from 100% recycled and/or recovered fiber and meet strict formaldehyde emissions requirements. CPA’s EPP program also meets or exceeds the strict California Air Resources Board (CARB) Composite Wood Air Toxic Control Measure Phase I, which took effect on January 1, 2009. The program requires ongoing testing and auditing to maintain certification.

CPA’s EPP Downstream Program takes the program one step further. Products carrying the EPP Downstream logo were manufactured by a company that has demonstrated its environmental commitment by purchasing at least 50% CPA EPP certified composite wood products.

EPP PRODUCTS: GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

If you’re looking for assurance that the products you purchase are environmentally responsible, make sure you look for products that carry the CPA EPP designation. By purchasing these products you’ll be supporting one of the greenest industries on earth while supplying your clients with products that are durable, beautiful and versatile.