Portland, OR – Columbia Forest Products has announced that it will begin producing formaldehyde-free Pure-Bond™ particleboard in the first quarter of 2007, complementing the company’s existing line of Pure-Bond formaldehyde-free hardwood plywood products.

Brad Thompson, president of Columbia’s plywood and veneer division, said, “We are extremely excited to roll out Pure-Bond particleboard to meet the growing market demand for formaldehyde-free materials. Since we introduced Pure-Bond adhesive technology for hardwood plywood, our customers have been anxiously awaiting a formaldehyde-free particleboard. We’re happy to tell them it’s on its way.”

Columbia’s Pure-Bond formaldehyde-free technology involves a patented, soy-based adhesive cooperatively developed by Columbia, the College of Forestry at Oregon State University and Hercules Incorporated. Hercules has awarded Columbia a license to utilize its patented adhesive system on an exclusive basis for all of Columbia’s North American decorative panel markets.

Pure-Bond particleboard will be manufactured at the company’s Hearst, Ontario, facility, which will also turn the board into finished hardwood plywood and other value-added panels.

Columbia is committed to increasing the availability of formaldehyde-free panel products, and is actively seeking arrangements for additional composite panel manufacturers to incorporate the Pure-Bond adhesive system in their processes.

Founded in 1957, Columbia Forest Products is North America’s largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer. The company also markets and produces engineered and solid wood flooring products. Columbia’s decorative interior veneers and panels are used in high-end cabinetry, fine furniture, architectural millwork and commercial fixtures. Employee-owned and based in Portland, Oregon, Columbia employs more than 4,000 and operates facilities in locations throughout the United States, Canada and Malaysia.