SierraPine Reformulates Medite FR MDF

SierraPine Ltd., a Roseville, California-based company specializing in composite panels, is reformulating and renaming its Medite FR, a Class 1, fire-retardant medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panel. It was formerly manufactured with a polyurea resin matrix adhesive (MDI) rather than conventional formaldyhyde-based resins. The new product, Medite FR2, will be produced using more standard urea-formaldehyde binder.

Jeff Baker, specialty products manager at SierraPine, cites expense as the culprit in the decision: “We found that, at the 11th hour, cheaper products were being substituted for Medite. We saw the writing on the wall,” Baker told

EBN. In addition to being cheaper Medite FR2 will have improved smoke and flame ratings. Baker expects the product to be identical to Medite FR in all other aspects.