Columbia Forest Products (CFP) has acquired a hardwood veneer processing facility from 3A Composites in Ecuador. This is tied to a long-term sourcing agreement for FSC-Certified wood from fast-growth hardwood plantations in the region that will be used to make Columbia’s “MPX” hardwood plywood panels, featuring PureBond® formaldehyde-free technology.
MPX panels feature smooth cross-bands of hardwood veneer that have been peeled with state-of-the-art Meinan® lathe technology, which suppress the thickness variation and core telegraphing that’s common with core veneer made of domestic fir and pine.
Columbia’s new sourcing arrangement involves the acquisition of a veneer processing facility in Ecuador and an agreement with 3A Composites, who will supply the mill with FSC-Certified wood.
The plantation-grown hardwood core veneer produced at the facility has been tested for over two years at various Columbia Forest Products mills, and has been incorporated into thousands of panels of PureBond hardwood plywood in the marketplace today.
As an ongoing aspect of this transaction, Columbia will continue to increase its presence in high-yield/ fast-growing plantation forests.
Columbia Forest Products is North America’s leading manufacturer of decorative hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer.
