Developing extended products of Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Markus Trame, Project Manager and Public Relations Manager at Dieffenbacher, reports that the global OSB industry has grown significantly since the introduction of OSB in the 1970s, and OSB-related products are now attracting market attention.

Oriented strand board (OSB) is a relatively new invention compared to plywood and particleboard. Originally known as "waffle board" in the United States in the 1970s, today's OSB represents a significant improvement over waffle board. The original waffle board consisted of uniform rectangular veneers of wood and was not developed for structural use. In contrast, OSB offers greater stiffness and strength, achieved through innovative engineering and the different orientations of the veneers. With the addition of excellent moisture resistance, OSB has become a true competitor to plywood.

Global oriented strand board (OSB) production capacity increased from less than 20 million m³ in 1996 to 32 million m³ in 2015. The main driver of this growth was Europe, which jumped from less than 1 million m³ in 1996 to over 7 million m³ in 2015. The most significant growth in recent years has been in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, more than two-thirds of global OSB production capacity originates in the United States, the country of origin for OSB.

In the United States, oriented strand board (OSB) is commonly used in commercial and residential buildings as wall panels, roof panels, and floor panels. Due to its physical and mechanical properties and moisture resistance, OSB can be used as a load-bearing or even high-load-bearing board in both dry and damp environments.

Although many oriented strand board (OSB) plants in the United States today use multi-layer presses, continuous production processes are more common for OSB elsewhere. Typical board thicknesses range from approximately 6 to 40 mm, with a raw density of approximately 550 to 700 kg/m³.

Initially, only logs were used to produce oriented strand board (OSB), but today, OSB can be produced using a variety of raw materials, giving manufacturers maximum flexibility.

In addition to fresh spruce, poplar, eucalyptus, pine, or birch logs, non-log materials include shrubland, scraps, wood chips, recycled timber, cable drums, or pallets. However, the choice of raw materials is only the beginning of the flexibility of oriented strand board (OSB).

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Extended Products

In recent years, manufacturers of engineered wood products have collaborated with board producers around the world to develop oriented strand board (OSB) extension products with unique properties and special application advantages.

Dieffenbacher, based in Eppingen, Germany, was active in the initial development of oriented strand board (OSB) and is now a leading OSB plant manufacturer. Between 1974 and 1989, Dieffenbacher supplied eight multi-layer presses for OSB production to the United States and Canada alone. In most cases, the associated dryers, lay-up molding, and Flexoplan systems were delivered by SCHENKMANN-PIEL Engineering and Schenck Panel Production Systems, both of which were later acquired by Dieffenbacher. Many of these plants are still in operation.

Today, engineered wood products manufacturers can choose from some newly developed oriented strand board (OSB) extensions, including Fine Surface OSB and Container oriented strand board (COSB).Oriented strand board (OSB) with a core layer of recyclable wood and oriented strand board (OSB).

Oriented strand board (OSB) for containersntainer OSB)

The floor of a shipping container bears immense pressure. It must transport heavy loads through various climate zones over periods of weeks or months.

Previously, only plywood sheets made from tropical hardwood veneers could meet this demand, but these sheets are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.

Containerized Oriented Strand Board (COS)Oriented strand board (OSB) offers a low-cost alternative. Replacing the veneer in the middle of plywood with oriented strand board (OSB) as the core layer can significantly reduce the consumption of expensive tropical timber.

Oriented strand board (OSB) with a core layer

Oriented strand board (OSB) with a core layer allows board manufacturers the flexibility to use inexpensive raw materials such as large wood chips, short logs, branches, industrial or recycled wood, and lumber mill residues without compromising board quality. Especially when using recycled wood, OSB helps reduce costs while contributing to sustainability, environmental protection, and climate conservation.

In developing oriented strand board (OSB) with a recycled wood core, Dieffenbacher leveraged the comprehensive expertise of its Wood and Recycling business unit. Since 2016, it has provided five complete wood recycling plants for clients such as Pfleiderer, Fundermax, and Nolte, possessing all the technology needed to utilize recycled wood in OSB production. They used this technology to adapt veneer production to the core layer.

To date, Dieffenbacher has retrofitted the laying machines at two oriented strand board (OSB) plants to produce OSB with a core layer using recycled wood.