The development of the United States and Canada: Waferboard,oriented strand board,and medium density fiberboard The year 1984

A dramatic change is taking palce in the United States and Canadian structural panel and medium density fiberboard field. Changes in raw material supply, the increased shipping costs that have come about over the past 10 years, and technological improvements now favor the production of waterboard and oriented strand board, over that of softwood plywood. Medium density fiberboard probably will slowly supplant the conventional shavings-type particleboard as the supply of shavings dwindles. Most of the composition board products are moving as well into newer product lines such as siding and concrete form. This is in direct competition with plywood, hardboard, and other previously used materials. Research is also preparing the way for the possible production of lumber or lumber-type composition board products.