Know your plywood: choose style and sustainability

There’s no doubt there is a strong focus on ensuring a sustainable future in Aotearoa, with designers, architects, developers and homeowners alike exploring innovative ways to bring new projects to life while not harming the environment.

Take 26 Aroha for example, the award-winning build-to-rent project designed by Jasmax that sets an aspirational standard for other development projects. As only the second apartment building in New Zealand to be awarded a 10 Homestar rating, it was imperative for the privately owned and developed project to utilise sustainable, low carbon products.

Helping to tick this box for the building’s 13 apartment kitchens are Polaris HPL panels from Plytech.

Soft-touch with a super-matt finish, the Polaris is a premium, anti-fingerprint product. It also features thermal healing properties and enhanced antibacterial properties.

“Jasmax came to us because they wanted sustainable products,” says Plytech’s Harmen Kamsteeg.

He explains that this product is part of the Plytech Green range – a range that uses innovative plywood glueing technology that significantly reduces the carbon footprint from production to final end-use applications without compromising quality or technical performance.

“Plytech Green is a range of products that was born out of our goal to reduce our carbon footprint and provide a more sustainable product line for healthier homes and better living environments. Plytech Green consists of Latvian Birch plywood panels available with a range of veneers and high pressure laminates.

“All our products are sustainable and certified, but we are always searching to improve them further. For the Plytech Green range, bio-based lignin is used as a replacement for traditional fossil products. Lignin is a recyclable and ecologically-friendly product, abundantly available in all trees and plants. Lignin is what gives trees strength and stability.”

Auckland City Mission’s purpose-built HomeGround project also utilised one of the Plytech Green products, specified by Stevens Lawson Architects.

“We supplied over 1,500 sheets of the Futura HPL in white. These were used for the kitchenettes in all 80 apartments,” says Harmen.

“Futura HPL has become a real go-to panel for many architects. It has been successfully used for over 20 years and to this day is still one of our most specified products.”

Plytech Green products are also widely used for the construction of luxury furniture. For instance, many pieces by award-winning furniture designer, Tim Webber are made using panels from the range.

“The range includes natural timber veneer options such as A-grade birch, American white oak and American white walnut, as well as high pressure laminates in a range of colours and wood textures.”

With the ability to be used for kitchen cabinetry with built-in furniture, as well as standalone furniture such as tables and desks, wall and ceiling lining, the Plytech Green range offers even further versatility with the ability to be used in different areas of a building – providing cohesive design across a project.

This means there is the opportunity to use a Plytech Green product throughout the whole home for a consistent aesthetic.

“At the same time, you know that you’re building a sustainable home,” says Harmen. This is due to the fact that Plytech Green products are certified under The Living Building Challenge’s ‘Health & Happiness’ petal and ‘Materials’ petal, and able to count towards Green Star certification.

“Plytech Green products contribute towards Green Star credit 13.2 Engineered Wood Products as they have been tested for formaldehyde levels and meet the specified test protocol and have all relevant certification,” explains Harmen.

“It also contributes towards 20.2 Timber and 21 Sustainable Materials. The products are sourced from certified forests, and we have a full chain of custody and EPDs available for the products.”

“Architects can specify Plytech Green products with confidence as it is a tried and true product line that has been used for many different applications; and the products add warmth, texture and natural aesthetic. Birch is extremely strong and stable, and is fantastic for any internal application, from wall and ceiling lining to full-scale fit-outs.

“While having those benefits, you are also improving your carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable community.”

Explore the Plytech Green range on ArchiPro.