Here's the first foamed wood-filled sheet.

Two building-supply companies are extruding what is believed to be the first foamed and wood-filled sheet on the market. (Unfoamed wood-composite sheet has been extruded for decades.) JER Envirotech Ltd. in Richmold, B.C., with a plant in Delta, B.C., is believed to have been first to commercialize the sheet two years ago. Envirotech gave a paper on its panel board at the WPC Conference 2004 in Baltimore in October, sponsored by Principia Partners, Exton, Pa.

Its JERtech panel boards measure 4 x 8 ft and 3 to 5 mm thick. (They will soon be made 12 and 15 mm thick.) The boards contain 50/50 PP and wood fiber and are foamed to 30-50% density reduction for sound deadening and weight and material savings. JER produces them at a plant in Delta, B.C., and will start production next year at three joint-venture plants in the Philippines and India, where rice hulls will be substituted for wood flour. They are used in paneling and furniture where moisture resistance is an advantage. Paint adhesion is said to be good. Tel: [phone] * www.jerenvirotech.com

Elk Composite Building Products in Lenexa, Kan., just started commercial production of similar PP/wood-flour sheet up to 0.75-in. thick with 50% density reduction. It will begin shipping to customers in November. Tel: [phone] * www.elkcomposites.com