A 140% rise in the price of phenolic resin is causing some plywood producers to compromise on the quality of glue bond, according to Cambridgeshire-based PT Group.
In a letter to customers, managing director Mike Harrod said the price of phenolic resin, as used in the production of weather and boil proof (WBP) glue, had been fairly stable for about five years.
However, the price shot up during 2004 and plywood producers had to absorb the costs.
Mr Harrod said: “The current cost of phenolic resin per m3 of 18mm WBP plywood is between US$50-55 per m3, and is now the second highest component after the logs.”
He said that at the request of German and UK customers, PT Group had a number of Chinese plywood samples – some with hardwood face veneers and other with pine faces – tested to determine whether or not the glue bond complied with the requirements of BS EN 13986, CE for exterior use, in accordance with BS EN 314, Part 1 test methods and Part 2 requirements.
Mr Harrod said: “Of 85 samples tested, only one passed the shear test. In fact, 30 pieces delaminated during the boiling process. Some samples came from producers with CE certification. The one piece that did pass the test came from a CE-certified mill that is not currently supplying plywood to Europe.”
Mr Harrod said if anyone was concerned about any plywood, PT Group would carry out a glue bond test free of charge. He added: “With resin costs continuing to rise, many producers could be tempted to add a little more flour into the glue mix, thus compromising the glue bond quality. Can you afford to take such a risk?”
