100 Million Panels of Plywood Use U.S. Soy

When the United Soybean Board and Columbia Forest Products first partnered together, they created PureBond Hardwood Plywood, a sustainable, unique decorative plywood paneling made with soybeans. Now, U.S. soy is inside 100 million panels of PureBond and benefiting thousands of customers, woodworking employees and U.S. soybean farmers.

PureBond Hardwood Plywood came to fruition when Columbia Forest Products saw a need for a sustainable product they could make in the United States. These innovative panels are made with soy-based adhesive, which eliminates the need for formaldehyde. With formaldehyde eliminated in the production process, PureBond Hardwood Plywood became a competitive alternative to traditional products of its kind, without sacrificing quality. This plywood also complies with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, otherwise known as LEED standards. PureBond secured this through LEED v4, an exempt emissions classification within the California Air Resources Board Airborne Toxic Control Measures.

According to Columbia Forest Products, the panels bring “the timeless warmth of wood with the design versatility to convey traditional, classic or contemporary looks.” In addition to replacing formaldehyde, a soy-flour formulation creates a water-resistant adhesive. Kaichang Li, an Oregon State researcher, developed this idea based on observations of mussels. Li saw how mussels secrete water-resistant adhesive proteins, which keep mussel beds in locked onto rocks. He developed a formula using soy-flour protein to replicate this natural mechanism.

Since 2006, Columbia Forest Products has sold over 100 million hardwood plywood panels. In 2007, the EPA honored the researchers who created PureBond Hardwood Plywood with the Presidential Green Chemistry Award. When presenting the award, the EPA said, “This technology represents the first cost-competitive, environmentally friendly adhesive that can replace the toxic UF resin.”

PureBond Hardwood Plywood is available in a variety of wholesale stores, select Home Depot stores and fabricators across the country who make custom cabinets and furniture. Produced in the United States with the help of America’s soybean farmers, PureBond Hardwood Plywood is truly a case of soy innovation. Read more about how soy is being used in adhesives at soynewuses.org/adhesive.