PORTLAND, OR -- Columbia Forest Products announced it will begin producing a formaldehyde-free particleboard in the first quarter of 2007. It will be marketed under the PureBond name and complement the company’s line of PureBond no-formaldehyde-added hardwood plywood products. PureBond uses a patented soy-based resin developed by Columbia, Oregon State University and Hercules Inc.

Brad Thompson, president of Columbia’s plywood and veneer division, said, "We are extremely excited to roll out PureBond particleboard to meet the growing market demand for formaldehyde-free materials. Since we introduced PureBond adhesive technology for hardwood plywood, our customers have been anxiously awaiting a formaldehyde-free particleboard."