Jewson has signed a deal to become national distributor for UPM’s new “tropical plywood replacement”, WISA-Twin.
The “multi-purpose” EN 636-2-compliant material has a softwood spruce core and hardwood birch face. It is being marketed by Jewson as a tropical substitute “because the timber used is from PEFC-certified forests and manufactured in Finland [making it a] more sustainable option”.
“Being sourced from Finland and not the Far East greatly reduces the carbon footprint involved in manufacture and transportation,” said Jewson panel products supply manager James Pennington.
He described the addition of the product to Jewson’s range as part of its strategy to be a “leading supplier of sustainable timber solutions”.
UPM says WISA-Twin plywood’s light colour also makes it easier to paint and stain, while its softwood core makes it lighter than “traditional plywood while retaining its structural and weather-resistant properties”.
