GREENSBORO, NC –  Columbia Forest Products says Material ConneXion, a global materials consultancy, has certified two of decorative plywood products for inclusion in its Library of Innovative Materials & Processes.

To make the determination to include Columbia Forest Products' Europly PLUS H and its MPX hardwood plywoods what it describes as the "world’s largest library of advanced, innovative and sustainable materials and processes," Material ConneXion had the products reviewed by an international panel of design experts and materials specialists selected.

Being selected into specification catalogs is an increasingly  marketable feature, and wood products frirms are begining to highlight it. TimberSIL announced last week its treated lumber, which is filled with glass particles as a natural, insert preservative, had been included in the Regenerative Network roster.

Product submissions are evaluated under a strict review process according to three key criteria: innovation and improvements on existing materials; sustainability; and the application versatility of the product. Products judged to be noteworthy in any or all of these characteristics are given a Certification of Material Excellence. The Columbia Forest Products Europly and MPX items were selected in part because of strong sustainability attributes.

MPX Hardwood Plywood is a veneer core panel with smooth crossbands of sustainably harvested North American Yellow Poplar (or tulip wood) under the decorative veneer layer. The plies are laminated with soy-based formaldehyde-free PureBond resin. Euro-Ply PLUS Hardwood Plywood is a multi-layer hardwood core panel of 100 percent birch construction, also made with PureBond, with a distinctive, natural looking “Eurostyle” edge finish.

Both are available in FSC-certified versions, and decorative face veneers are offered in anigre, zebrawood, oak, maple, cherry, walnut, birch, hickory and mahogany.