Composite board manufactures attempt to get ahead of senate bill

By Sam Sherrill, Deputy Editor, Crow's, RISI

PORTLAND, OR, Oct. 19, 2009 (RISI) - Of interest to composite panel manufacturers is a new Senate bill that will create national standards for formaldehyde emissions and quality control. This would govern imports as well as domestic stock. The bill uses the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its baseline, including the exact same guidelines for emissions.

Some producers, acting proactively, feel that this new governance is the wave of the future and are creating either board with ultra-low emissions or changing their bonding agents. Some have now gone to isocyanate resins, in an attempt to secure markets in advance of the change to more restrictive rules on a national scale.

Most producers do have special formulations for low or no-formaldehyde board, but they have been charging some hefty premiums for such stock. Now, at least one producer is offering isocyanate board at very nearly the same levels as urea-based boards. This will likely result in some interesting market confrontations, as purchasers consider the options.