From E1 to "no added formaldehyde", let you know the mainstream grades of environmentally friendly boards

The impact of the epidemic has led people to think more deeply about their lives. "Healthy and environmentally friendly" has become a basic need in people's lives, which has accelerated the rapid upgrading of environmental protection in the home furnishing industry. It also means that healthy panels with higher quality and more stringent environmental standards have entered thousands of households.

To choose healthier and more environmentally friendly wood panels, we must first be familiar with their different environmental ratings, such as E1, E0, F★★★★, and the higher environmental standard of formaldehyde-free, which has recently sparked a "formaldehyde-free war" among major brands. Of course, these environmental standards are all based on the emission of formaldehyde, which we all hate.

E1, E0, F★★★★ Environmental protection standards

E1 is the lowest level of indoor environmental protection. The only mandatory national standard for the wood-based panel and its products industry is GB18580-2017, which stipulates a formaldehyde emission limit of ≤0.124 mg/m³. This can also be understood as a mandatory national "safety line," meaning that panels meeting this limit are acceptable for use.

However, now that consumers have more stringent requirements for environmental protection, the E1 level can no longer meet people's environmental protection needs for their home environment.

The E0 level is set by enterprises in pursuit of a more environmentally friendly standard. It is generally tested using the 1m³ climate chamber method. When the formaldehyde emission is ≤0.06mg/m³, the E0 level standard is met.

F-star certification is a series of certifications in Japan's JAS series for the wood products industry. Compared with the E-level testing standards, it is more stringent and environmentally friendly. Among them, F★★★★ is the highest health level in Japan's environmental protection standards, requiring formaldehyde emission to be ≤0.3mg/L.

As the saying goes, "No formaldehyde, no glue." Especially for artificial boards, glue is needed to bond and ensure the stability of the board. Inferior board manufacturers will use urea-formaldehyde resin as an adhesive.

However, urea-formaldehyde resin, formed by the condensation of formaldehyde and urea, contains a large amount of free formaldehyde. To produce a typical 48-foot board, at least 3-4 kg of formaldehyde is used to produce the urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive. Even with a low molar ratio of urea-formaldehyde adhesive, it is impossible to achieve a formaldehyde-free, environmentally friendly board.

MDI formaldehyde-free ecological glue, realizing formaldehyde-free base material

Until the emergence of MDI formaldehyde-free ecological glue, this was a watershed. Artificial boards with MDI as adhesive can apply for the US NAF formaldehyde-free exemption certification with more stringent environmental standards due to their environmental performance without added formaldehyde.

The U.S. NAF formaldehyde-free exemption certification is currently the most stringent environmental protection standard in the world. It requires that no glue or additives containing formaldehyde be used or added during the production process of the board materials. Board materials that have obtained the NAF formaldehyde-free exemption certification do not even need additional testing when sold to the U.S. market.

MDI glue is a formaldehyde-free, safe, stable and high-strength polymer. It is often used in aircraft interiors, refrigerator liners, and even in the medical field with high safety requirements, implanted in heart valves and artificial blood vessels. The boards made with it as an adhesive are called formaldehyde-free boards.

The group standard T/CNFPIA 3002-2018 "Formaldehyde-free Artificial Boards and Their Products" issued by the China Forest Products Industry Association requires that the formaldehyde emission of formaldehyde-free boards must be ≤0.03mg/m³.

Why not zero?

Why not zero

Because formaldehyde is widely present in nature, including trees themselves, and even in our bodies, the apples we eat contain formaldehyde, but this amount will not have any effect on our health at all.

Nowadays, the "war for formaldehyde-free" is in full swing, and many brands have launched their own "formaldehyde-free boards", such as Sofia's "Kangchun Board", Baidesheng's "Pure Enjoyment Board", Holic's "Original Board", Oppein's "Aixin Board", Shangpin Home Delivery's "Kangjing Board"... all use MDI formaldehyde-free ecological glue as adhesive.

Create high-quality formaldehyde-free boards

As a company that has been focusing on the board industry for 22 years and as a supplier of formaldehyde-free boards for many home furnishing brands, we have always insisted on the innovation and promotion of environmentally friendly boards, and continuously promoted the upgrading and innovation of the environmental protection level of the home furnishing industry.

From E1, to E0, Japan F★★★★, and now to the dual environmental honors of the US NAF formaldehyde-free exemption certification and Swiss SGS international testing, every step is fulfilling the responsibility and commitment of being an evangelist for formaldehyde-free panels.

As the "war on formaldehyde-free" intensifies, formaldehyde-free panels are destined to become part of everyday home decor. However, "formaldehyde-free" may just be the beginning. In the future, we will continue to strive to create environmentally friendly panels that meet the diverse needs of consumers, bringing a healthier and more secure living environment to millions of families.