Happenings

2022 • Q3 Happenings

FPJ Publishes Carbon Analysis of Wood Composite Panels

The Forest Products Journal recently published a research paper titled, Carbon Analysis of Wood Composite Panels, authored by Maureen Puettmann, Principal, WoodLife Environmental Consultants LLC. This paper was sponsored by CPA and provides information on the net carbon impact of particleboard, MDF and hardboard–engineered wood siding and trim (EWST) by measuring the total carbon storage (embedded carbon) and embodied carbon over an estimated service life of 25–30 years for these products. The results present carbon pools and flows for composite panels manufacturing facilities located in the U.S. and Canada for the production years 1996–2019. The composite panel industry stores more than 14.8 million metric tons of carbon (CO2e) through the manufacture of panels each year. This is equivalent to carbon emissions for over 3.2 million cars (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2021). In summary, North American composite panels store far more carbon than released from cradle through service life. A large majority of the technical information used to develop the paper was based on life cycle analyses and environmental product declarations previously funded by CPA. n Visit www.compositepanel.org or www.doi.org/10.13073/FPJ-D-22-00010 for more information.

AKHURST MACHINERY’S NEW LOCATION IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

Akhurst Adds New Location

Akhurst Machinery recently opened a new branch in Anaheim, California, to support the growing customer base serviced by Akhurst and its subsidiary divisions of Cantek and Leadermac. This location will offer a fully operational demonstration showroom and a warehouse for machine inventory. The company is adding additional sales and service personnel to support their customer's prompt and reliable local service needs. Akhurst is one of the largest independent machinery importers and distributors in the wood industry. They are a fourth-generation, familyowned business with a proud history spanning over eight decades. n Visit www.akhurst.com for more information.

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Happenings ‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 2022 • Q3

Best of NeoCon 2022

NeoCon recently announced the winners of the 2022 edition of the prestigious Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 32nd year, the program annually attracts scores of groundbreaking product submissions from leading manufacturers in the commercial design industry. After an intensive in-person evaluation by an esteemed jury of influential architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, and facility managers, HALCON’s HELM table won the ultimate honor of Best of Competition. Best of NeoCon is the official awards program honoring outstanding new products from exhibiting companies across a wide range of verticals. A total of 99 awards were announced in June at the MART. Best of NeoCon 2022 featured entrants in 54 product categories evaluated onsite by a diverse jury of more than 50 leading architects, designers, specifiers and facility managers with expertise spanning commercial, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors. “Best of NeoCon has been an invaluable component of the NeoCon experience since 1990,” remarked Best of NeoCon Awards Competition Director Eileen McMorrow of The McMorrow Reports. “The caliber of our jury is unparalleled—recognition by this group of highly active industry decision makers is incredibly powerful and a great achievement. Congratulations to all the winners!” The Best of Competition 2022 winner, HALCON’s HELM table, was also awarded Gold in both the Tables: Height Adjustable and Tables: Conference categories. Designed by Jehs + Laub, HELM is a modern table solution for the 21st century. Perfectly proportioned and appointed with luxurious materials, it is sleekly integrated with technology and unexpectedly equipped with an adjustable-height surface. The jury noted, “This groundbreaking table has a professional and high-end feel, while also meeting current user demands and expectations for wellness. It is seamless and well-executed in all ways.” n Visit www.neocon.com for the full list of Best of NeoCon 2022 winners.

Uniboard Invests $250 Million in Upgrades and Expansion

Uniboard, Canada's largest producer of biocomposites and decorative surfaces for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications, announced a $250 million investment in the construction of a new state-of-the-art particleboard press at its Val-d'Or plant in Quebec. The new continuous press will be equipped with the latest state-ofthe-art technologies for the production of particleboard. Construction begins this year and the commissioning of the new press is scheduled for early 2025. Once the work is completed, the plant will employ about 190 people. "This investment, which is the third phase of the Val-d'Or investment plan, confirms Uniboard's leadership position in the North American engineered wood products market and its commitment to its valued customers and employees," said Lionel Dubrofsky, Chairman of Uniboard's Board of Directors.

HALCON’S HELM TABLE WON THE BEST OF NEOCON 2022 BEST OF COMPETITION, GOLD AWARD FOR CONFERENCE FURNITURE, AND GOLD AWARD FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TABLES. IT’S INTEGRATED WITH TECHNOLOGY, AND EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE-HEIGHT SURFACE.

"When the work is completed, we will have invested more than $350 million in the Val-d'Or plant, as part of a three-phase investment process, making it the most modern particleboard plant in North America and positioning Uniboard as one of TFL's leading integrated producers, particleboard and MDF. The Val-d'Or plant is renowned for its use of black spruce fibers, making its particleboard unparalleled in the North American market.” As Quebec's largest manufacturer of composite wood panels and decorative solutions, Uniboard is a major player in the forest value chain. "Today's announcement represents an important milestone for Uniboard and its entire team," said James Hogg, President and CEO of Uniboard. "This investment, which builds on a 45-year success in Val-d'Or, will play an important role in strengthening relationships with existing customers, recruiting new customers and developing new markets and business opportunities. It will help expand our product offering and increase their availability, which will allow Uniboard to consolidate its position as the supplier of choice.” In addition to having the latest particleboard production technology, the Val-d'Or plant will have a negative carbon footprint thanks to carbon sequestration in sustainable products and low-carbon production. In addition, Uniboard will enter the thin panel market, a biocomposite that is in high demand in the North American market. The geographical position of the Val-d'Or plant allows Uniboard to serve the main markets of Quebec, Canada, and the United States by truck and train. In addition to its ability to produce value-added TFL products, the Val-d'Or plant also leverages its Unires resin plant, located in the same location, making it one of the most integrated production sites in North America.” n

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Tafisa Canada to Add Sixth Lamination Line; Inaugurates Production Plant

Tafisa Canada, a leading particleboard and TFL decorative panel manufacturer offering a comprehensive range of decorative surfaces in North America, confirms a total of $62 million in investments in its facilities in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. After a $28 million investment, Tafisa officially inaugurated its new 70,000 sq. ft. plant and announced new investments of $34 million to expand its main plant. Dedicated to the production of a collection of lacquered panels called LUMMIA, company representatives say the new Tafisa plant offers manufacturers and consumers a product with unparalleled characteristics and that is superior to any others currently available. In addition to having the capacity to manufacture two high-end finishes, say officials, the plant is equipped with state-of-the-art technology unique in North America. Always striving to better meet future market needs, Tafisa is also expanding its main plant, a project that calls for additional investments of $34 million. The installation of a sixth TFL production line and the expansion of the finished product warehouse are an integral part of this phase of the project. The new production line will be in operation in the fall of 2023 and will increase the proportion of panels that will be laminated with the ability to produce decorative panels with two-sided synchronized embossing (EIR) texture, improve internal flows and service reliability to North American customers. These new investments, say officials, allow Tafisa to remain the manufacturer offering the most comprehensive range of decorative surfaces to industry professionals. Tafisa also offers particleboards, decorative panels (TFL), laminate panels (HPL) and mouldings for the manufacture of cabinet doors, all available under one roof. n Visit www.tafisa.ca/en for more information.