Sponplater

Sponplater, known in English as particleboard, is an engineered wood product made from wood particles such as wood chips, shavings, or sawdust that are bound together with a synthetic resin adhesive and pressed under heat to form flat, rigid panels. The resulting board is typically dense and has a uniform thickness and strength throughout.

The production process begins with selecting and grinding wood waste or small logs into particles. The particles are dried, mixed with a resin binder (commonly urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde) and sometimes wax for moisture resistance. The mixture is formed into mats, then hot-pressed to cure the resin and fuse the particles into solid panels. Densities usually range around 600–700 kg/m3, with thicknesses commonly from 6 to 40 mm. Standard panel size is about 2440 by 1220 mm.

Variants include moisture-resistant (MR) or fire-retardant grades, high-density particleboard, and finished forms such as melamine-faced, veneered, or laminated boards. Particleboard is typically used as a substrate for surface finishes, because it accepts veneers, laminates, or paints well, though it is less strong and more moisture-sensitive than solid wood or MDF unless properly protected.

Applications: used in furniture components, cabinetry, shelving, countertops, wall and ceiling panels, and as a substrate for flooring underlayment in some systems. Edge sealing and proper sealing against moisture are important to prevent swelling.

Environmental considerations: many resins emit formaldehyde, leading to regulatory limits and certification programs to reduce emissions. Reuse and recycling options exist but depend on local regulations.