Finnforest launches the largest special birch plywood panel with thermoplastic overlay available on the market

29/04/2008
Finnforest launches the largest special Finnforest birch plywood panel with
thermoplastic overlay available, developed mainly for the special needs of the
transportation industry. Owing to this plywood panel, which measures a maximum
6.0 x 2.2 metres, it is now possible to build larger components in applications
requiring both durability and appearance. 

Compared with standard surfaces the thermoplastic overlay delivers increased
durability coupled with a larger colour range. Additionally, it is possible to
finish its surface with different gloss levels and decorative figures, and the
overlay also provides a higher degree of UV protection. 

“As a ready-to-install wall and floor component, the panel can be used for many
more applications offering new opportunities to the transportation industry,
helping to improve planning and production procedures,” comments Seppo
Virtanen, Product Manager. 

Investment in customer-oriented development 

The new Finnforest special plywood panels are designed particularly for needs
of transportation industry but they also offer new possibilities for concrete
Formwork and other special industries. 
 
In transportation industry, the new special plywood panels are well-suited for
walls in lorries, trailers and horse boxes as well as for wall and floor
covering in vans, both for exterior and interior purposes. 

The new panels will be manufactured at the new birch plywood upgrading mill in
Suolahti, Finland, following an investment of € 15 million. The new upgrading
mill includes a new production hall, scarf-jointing line, hotpress and a flat
laminating line as well as lines for panel cutting. The mill will go into
operation during the second quarter of 2008. 

Two different versions of the new plywood panel will be available: Finnforest
Flex, which is a durable, decorative wall panel, and Finnforest Tuff, which is
a slip resistant floor panel. 

The new mill also manufactures Finnforest Deck and Finnforest Form plywood
panels in the XL size of 6.0 x 2.2 metres, and it can also produce
scarf-jointed plywood panels up to 13.5 x 2.7 metres. 
 
"Overall, our upgrading mill investment supports Finnforest strategy to offer
more added value to our customers,” says Seppo Virtanen. “We provide added
value to our industrial customers by developing more advanced products in
cooperation with them, and by offering machining, technical support and
logistical services. The Finnforest Plywood Business Line has clearly the most
extensive distribution network in Europe. Allowing us to offer excellent
storage and machining facilities close to our customers. Our goal is to become
a leading plywood supplier for demanding industrial end uses."