All articles by Asha
Asha
The ideal choice for both architects and homeowners
The iconic Formica brand is over 100 years old. From selling Formica laminate as a substitute to replace mica in electrical insulations, the Formica Group is, today, a leading provider of branded, designed surfacing solutions for commercial and residential customers worldwide
Today, South America. Tomorrow the world?
Chile-based industrial giant Masisa is disposing of its panel factories in Latin America. Austria-based company Egger is buying Masisa’s Argentine plant. Egger is a newcomer to production in Latin America – indeed, to production outside Europe at all. We spoke to Ulrich Bühler, CSO of the Egger Group about the strategy behind the acquisition.
IBA unites Brazil’s forest industries
Brazil is the largest as well as the most forested country in Latin America. The Brazilian Industry of Planted Trees (IBA) is the association in charge of representing institutionally the plantation forest industry. Formed only in 2014, as the Brazilian equivalent of the EPF in Europe or the CPA in North America, 55 industries and 9 state entities are members. Here Elizabete Carvalhaes, CEO of IBA, outlines the work and achievements of the association, with statistics showing the scale of the Brazilian forest industry.
New entrant Asperbras aims high
A new MDF mill in Mato Grosso marks the beginning of an aspiring Brazilian producer. Our Latin America correspondent Paulo Cesar Amanthéa reports
Latin America leaps forward
New mills, new entrants, new associations… The panels industry in South America is forging ahead with a vibrancy that leaves its northern neighbour behind. In this special Focus on Latin America we look at the mills being constructed, the changes of ownership, and the organisations that have sprung up in the region. Our grateful thanks are due to our Latin America correspondent Paulo Cesar Amanthéa for preparing these reports
Two new mills break stagnation
This is the first edition of our two-part survey in which we list all the particleboard mills operating in Europe and North America as at the end of 2016. Part 2, listing mills in the rest of the world, will appear in the next issue.
Surface Density gives MDF Strength
MDF may at first glance look uniform; but the hot-pressing process imparts layers of differing density. Dr. Mark Irle explains why this is so advantageous.
Better blender for plywood adhesives
Mixing of powders for plywood adhesives seems simple, but Uniformity in the final mix is all-important. A major producer of materials for plywood adhesives has found a new rotary batch mixer delivers significant improvements.
Hexion: Of Molecules and Men
Two main components go into wood based panels. One is wood; the other is the binder: the resins and adhesives that hold the wood together. That is the component which has by far the most potential for technological improvement to give new and customer-desired properties to the end panel. Hexion, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the world’s largest resin supplier to the industry. Julian Champkin talked to Joseph “Jody” Bevilaqua, Chief Operating officer and Mark Alness, senior vice president of Hexion’s Americas Forest Products. He found people who are inspired about wood and who want to share their inspiration.
Russia: Progress and Problems
Russia is recovering and panel making there offers good openings for investors. But it can be a bumpy ride. Eugene Gerden investigates.