DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARTICLE BOARD INDUSTRY IN EUROPE

Abstract

Summary Definitions and terminology are discussed, and particle board, chip board, shaving board, etc., are defined according to a new international agreement. The historical development of the wood particle board industry in Europe is dealt with. This industry is relatively young, not more than 17 years old. Particle boards were known before the Second World War, but the main industrial development took place after 1945. The particle board industry was first established in West Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and further developed in France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Italy, East Germany, Finland and the Scandinavian countries. Europe accounts for more than two-thirds of the world production. The production of particle boards in Europe is larger than that of the North American continent. Raw material is usually wood waste, but an increasing amount of round timber is being used. Particle board is no longer a substitute for wood, but a new type of material with its own characteristics, which s...