We’ll soon be ‘wrapping up’ ahead of our annual Christmas Closedown.
DHH Panel Products will be closing from 5pm on the 20th December 2024 for our annual Christmas break; and reopening again on the 2nd January 2025. Please therefore ensure that you get any last-minute orders for the New Year to us within good time.
From our work family to yours – We wish you a safe & wonderful festive period, and look forward to working with you again throughout 2025.
*Instead of paying for printed cards to be sent out to our customers, we’ve made a charitable donation toNew Life Wood; a charity that recycles wood products, reduces landfill & restores lives.
There are two basic plywood standards that are of most relevance; one specifically for wood species durability (EN 636), and another for the glue line (EN 314).
These two standards should be considered together when selecting the most appropriate product. This DHH Explainer will help you understand the two standards better; and help you make a more informed choice.
>> EN 636 Standard: Wood Species Durability
In respect to constructional plywood, the uniform standard for wood products (EN 13986) requires that each plywood species must comply with one of the three below performance classes within EN 636. Each now has its own EN-636 identifying code, for easy reference:
Class 1 Wood Species (Now EN 636-1):Class 1 Wood Species are suited for interior use only. These types of plywood products will likely deteriorate and break up if used within a humid environment; even with treatment. –
Class 2 Wood Species (Now EN 636-2):Class 2 Wood Species are typically suited for humid conditions. This includes washrooms and locker rooms. These products can be used in exterior application too, but must be appropriately treated or covered on any exposed faces and edges. –
Class 3 Wood Species (Now EN 636-3): Class 3 Wood Species are suitable for all outdoor application. These products should not break up in exterior weather conditions, even when fully exposed to the elements. You must however ensure that all exposed edges and faces have been treated accordingly.
Compare the different EN 636 types with other relevant EN standards:
>> EN 314 Standard: Bonding Quality of Glue
The bonding quality of the glue used in plywood production has also been divided into three classes. Each class of glue has its own EN-314 code. This will help you identify which type of glue your product is using:
Class 1 Glue (Now EN 314-1): Class 1 Glues are mainly designed for dry indoor use only. These glue products have little protection to humidity, and are likely to delaminate when exposed to wet & humid conditions. –
Class 2 Glue (Now EN 314-2): Class 2 Glues can be appropriately used in protected exterior applications; . This includes areas of high humidity such as washrooms. These products have limited properties, but can resist moderate humidity. –
Class 3 Glue (Now EN 314-3): Class 3 Glues can be used in full exterior applications, as long as all exposed edges and faces have been treated accordingly. These products are capable of resisting most types of weather conditions over a sustained period of time. This standard replaces WBP grade.
>> Important Points to Remember
For a plywood panel to be at its most effective, it’s important to consider both the quality of the wood species AND the bonding quality of the glue:
If you’re looking to use a product within an indoor humid environment, ensure that both the wood species & glue are at least Class 2. –
For outdoor application, ensure that both the species and glue are at least Class 3 (or Class 2, if you intend on treating any exposed areas). Most exterior grade plywood and Marine Plywood meet Class 3 requirements. –
It’s recommended that all plywood used in exterior application should be face and edge sealed prior to use. This will help to preserve the longevity of the product.
Riga Pattern Plus (Pattern+) is an industry leading range of hard-wearing phenolic films overlaid on Birch Plywood. They’re available in three new distinct surface patterns across a variety of colours.
This product offers a selection of textures (Leather, Rock, Slatewood), available across five colours for design choice and flexibility in panel sizes.
Choose from either a Black, Dark Brown, Light Grey, Silver Grey or White phenol colour. These surface finishes are truly innovative, and really show the design capability of ‘direct pressed’ birch plywood surfaces on offer from Riga Wood. The reverse side of Riga Pattern+ is smooth and overlaid with resin film.
The decorative faces are suitable for the high-end furniture, construction, joinery and flight case sectors. The panel complies with EN 438-2, with faces that are durable, offering high wear resistance.
Other key advantages of Riga Pattern+ include:
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio;
Weather resistant gluing, and water-resistant surface;
Resistant to commonly used chemicals & surface impact, and is easy to clean;
An aesthetic and visually attractive panel, suitable for decorative use;
Sustainable FSC® Certified product with a long life span.
This exquisite product was first showcased in May 2024 at the Carrefour International Du Bois in Nantes, France. Manufacturer Riga Wood also featured their most recent product developments, using the most sophisticated decorative industry manufacturing techniques.
Riga Pattern+ is available ex-stock from DHH Panel Products; with all colours, thicknesses and size formats offered via factory order. For more information, please contact us on 01708 864245 or send us an email. You can also take a look at the Riga Pattern+ Product Brochure.
Europe’s largest Birch Plywood manufacturer Latvijas Finieris, parent company of Riga Wood, has donated over €7.5million supporting the Ukraine from early 2022.
Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Latvijas Finieris has been part of a consortium that provides support to the people of Ukraine. This includes organisations from across Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland. This consortium has provided continuous support in various forms since early 2022.
For every cubic metre of log veneer that Riga Wood (Latvijas Finieris) processes, it donates €5 euros to the humanitarian effort. The Latvian government also allocates some of Latvijas Finieris’ Corporate Income Tax directly to the fundraising too.
These funds help to provide humanitarian services to Ukrainians still in Ukraine. This includes support for civilians and war refugees; and vital assistance for rescuers, firefighters and medical professionals at the face of the conflict. Some of the funds also help preserve important cultural buildings; and ensure that Ukrainians receive high-quality, independent information.
DHH are very proud of our strong relationship with Latvijas Finieris (Riga Wood). We support this humanitarian cause through our expanding stock range of Latvian Birch Plywood products. These products are FSC® certified, legally sourced and UKTR compliant.
Two people were arrested in the Netherlands recently on suspicion of importing wood products from Russia. As the EU continues to crack down on illegal products from sanctioned countries, it’s important to know where your wood comes from!
Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested a 73 year-old man and 46 year-old woman from Ridderkerk. EU officials suspect them of purchasing Russian Birch Plywood via a Chinese supplier. Police have searched their homes and businesses in Ridderkerk, and customs officials have seized their affected stock.
The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) carried out these arrests. They are an agency of the Netherlands government that investigates financial crime. FIOD confirmed that both suspects were directors of two companies. The FIOD believe that the product in question is Russian Birch Plywood, and that they circumvented the rules by purchasing from a Chinese supplier.
Timber products from Russia and Belarus are classified as ‘Conflict Timber’, and are still illegal to import. You can avoid purchasing Conflict Timber by using a reputable supplier. You can find out more about Conflict Timber in this Article by our Managing Director.
These arrests prove that the EU is taking illegal imports very seriously, and that it’s important to that know where your panel products come from. Here at DHH, we pride ourselves on only purchasing Birch Plywood from approved sources. All of our Birch Plywood is fully legal, and complies with international law. We pride ourselves on using safe supply chains.
DHH Panel Products has recently renewed its’ sponsorship of Rayleigh Cricket Club. We’re happy to announce that we’ll continue to be their Teamwear Sponsor until the end of the 2027 season.
As an organisation, we’ve supported Rayleigh CC for over ten years. Our ‘Helping Communities Grow’ initiative sees us use some of our profits each year to support sports clubs across Essex. By championing grassroots sports, we help to secure the green spaces within our local community. these are the green spaces and playing fields that people use to reconnect with nature, participate in sport, and pursue a healthy life. These spaces help communities grow.
Our Managing Director, Ben Francis, said of the sponsorship renewal: “We’re committed to supporting Rayleigh Cricket Club, and are excited to be sponsoring the club teamwear for the next three years. It’s an exciting time to be involved in the club. We’re looking forward to extending our partnership for years to come”
You can find out more about Rayleigh Cricket Club on their website: www.rayleighcc.com
The day served as a pivotal gathering where members could connect and exchange ideas. It’s also an effective way for NAS & IOC members to keep updated on industry trends & innovations. This year’s event showcased both industries’ resilience and adaptability in the face of challenging industry conditions. We’d like to thank both the NAS and the IOC for inviting us along to such a successful event!
The success of the Members’ Day owes much to the generous support of sponsors. This included ourselves and Medite Smartply, who we are proud to be UK distributors for. Our colleagues from Medite were also one of the guest speakers during the day. Overall, the event enabled great networking opportunities among members.
Left: A photo of our stand at the event. Right: Students from West Suffolk College, some of who are apprentices with Taylor Made Joinery.
Many of the members were additionally keen to hear our updates on Birch Plywood. Some were unaware that Finnish, Polish and Latvian Birch Plywood products still continue to be available within the UK. As a reputable importer, we continue to work proactively to ensure that no products from sanctioned countries enter our supply chain.
We also had engaging conversations about alternatives to Birch Plywood. This includes Poplar Plywood from Panguaneta, which can come with a birch veneer face. There is also the option of other Veneered species, and pre-lacquered plywoods too.
Creating a Dynamic Partnership
The strategic partnership between the NAS and the IOC is starting to stand out as a symbol of innovation. This new collaboration allows the shopfitting and carpentry industries to combine their expertise, resources and networks. Moving forward, this synergistic relationship helps magnify their influence; and ultimately benefits the members of both organisations.
Together, they pioneer initiatives that advance craftsmanship and uphold industry standards. They also help foster professional development between members. The combined Members’ Day facilitated this exchange of knowledge, best practices, and cutting-edge techniques. This empowers members to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving landscape.
As a unified force they hope to innovate, inspire & elevate standards. We wish both organisations every success with their new collaboration.
Here at DHH Panel Products, we stock a wide range of slip-resistant birch plywood that is suitable for staging and events – including products for stage floors, decking, platforms, steps, walkways, tiered-seating, grandstands and marquee flooring.
When designing stage-decking or arena seating it’s essential to specify the appropriate material; as it will have to support both UDL and concentrated loads. It will also need to provide a level of slip-resistance and be durable enough to withstand exterior conditions.
We stock phenolic film overlaid birch plywood, both of which are perfect for the job; and widely used within the events sector for a range of structural applications. By using a recommended high-quality European Birch plywood – such as Riga Tex or Riga Heska Plus – you can be sure that it has been rigorously tested to ensure consistent quality and performance; and that it meets all EU and International standards.
Both of these products have a durable phenolic-film overlay, and a slip resistant surface; and all edges are sealed with an acrylic resin paint. Other technical properties include:
Manufactured in accordance with EN 13986;
Birch throughout core for strength and stability (1.45mm cross-banded birch veneers ), with good Impact-resistance;
Fully exterior bonded to EN 314-2: Class 3 with thermosetting ECOlogical Resins;
Tough, weather-resistant overlay that also has good chemical-resistance;
Slip-resistance values of R10 to R13 DIN 51130 (dependant on product);
Good strength-to-weight ratio and Screw-holding properties;
Good wear-resistance (overlay also bespoke to order for greater wear-resistance);
A light weight of 38Kgs (for an 18mm thickness, 1220mm x 2440mm panel), or 32Kgs for a 15mm panel.
Fully FSC® and PEFC™ Certified;
Both products are available in a range of colours, including Dark Brown, Silver-Grey, Light Grey and Black. Green and Yellow are additionally available to forward order. The following sizes & thicknesses are available for swift delivery across the UK as part of our ex-stock portfolio:
1220mm x 2440mm: 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 24mm
1525mm x 3050mm: 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 24mm
Want to know more? Give us a call on 01708 864245, email sales@dhhpanelproducts.co.uk – or head over to our dedicated Specialist Birch Plywood page for our full range of suitable products.
*Steph Plaster is one of our resident Technical Plywood Experts; and has a wealth of experience and knowledge around using Plywood for advanced applications.
Recently, some members of our team had the opportunity to visit Birch Plywood mills in Latvia. Both DHH Panel products and our sister company, Decor Solutions, regularly engage in visits to suppliers worldwide.
These trips play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the supply chain and associated products. Latvijas Finieris have been manufacturing Birch Plywood products since 1873; and are recognised internationally for their high-quality boards. DHH Panel Products take pride in maintaining a strong working relationship with them for over 30 years.
During our visit staff gained insights into the complete production process. We observed everything from logs arriving from the forest; to the peeling of ply veneers, selection, grading, and the finishing and packaging lines.
One exciting product introduced to our team was the NEW Riga Pattern—a birch throughout plywood overlaid with a durable film. This combines cutting-edge decorative industry techniques with exceptional flexibility. The direct-pressed surfaces allow seamless integration of various textures (leather, rock, and slatewood) and colours.
Additionally, we visited the Betulin Laboratory, an innovative facility that utilises by-products from the plywood process for pharmaceutical purposes. Birch bark extract finds extensive applications in pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Regularly visiting our suppliers allows us to cultivate strong business relationships while ensuring compliance with Health & Safety regulations, the UKTR (UK Timber Regulations) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) guidelines.
Despite ongoing challenges related to conflict wood from sanctioned countries, DHH remains committed to maintaining the integrity of our product origins. Our visits to suppliers serve as a vital assurance of compliance at every level and give us the confidence to sell products that are sustainable, accredited, safe and legal.
A heartfelt thank you to Latvijas Finieris and Riga Wood colleagues for an excellent few days!
The European Commission has recently disclosed the findings of its investigation into imports of Russian birch plywood. Shockingly, the evidence indicates that Russian birch plywood is still being imported into the EU market via Kazakhstan and Turkey, therefore bypassing anti-dumping duties.
Given that Russian wood products are also subject to sanctions in the EU and the UK, these findings are expected to prompt further action by national authorities and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
This investigation serves as a critical milestone, exposing deceptive practices within the European timber trade. As scrutiny intensifies on Russian birch plywood routed through Kazakhstan and Turkey we should anticipate heightened controls and inspections. The Commission’s findings suggest the possibility ofcustoms fraud and sanction violations by various importers, traders, and users. Anyone purchasing such material should be aware of the potential criminal implications.
For more detailed information, you can refer to this press release published by the Woodstock Consortium, or visit their website.
DHH Panel Products only imports Birch plywood fromLatvia, Estonia, Poland, and Finland so customers can be assured they are making a safe and legal choice on any purchase
DHH [Timber Products] Ltd (t/a DHH Panel Products) has FSC® Certified products available upon request, and supports the responsible use of forests. For more information about our commitment to sustainable forestry, please visit our sustainability page.
