I am writing concerning the news article “Puhos focuses on virgin fibre” .
While we all understand a manufacturer’s desire to differentiate his product, I believe that in this instance Andy Moore is doing a disservice to the whole of the industry by suggesting that virgin fibre is more suitable for structural products than recycled fibre.
Irrespective of whether a wood-based panel comprises virgin or recycled fibre or a combination of both, the fact is that, provided the product meets the requirements of the European Harmonised Standard EN 13986 and the relevant European product standards for boards for use in load-bearing applications, it is fully fit for purpose in a properly designed structure.
We are aware that the Finnish forest economy dictates wood fibre sourcing that is based virtually entirely on virgin materials, but an unjustified attempt to denigrate by implication the environmentally sustainable use of recovered wood in other countries where complementary sources of raw material have been developed will only aid the real competitors of the forest-based industries.
Alastair Kerr
Director-general
Wood Panel Industries Federation
