Stricter g reen standard for composite panels

tTtue CotrposnE Pnt,lel AssoclRttoN is rolling out a new voluntary eco-certification standard for composite wood panels and finished products made with particleboard, MDF, hardboard, and engineered wood siding and trim.

The Eco-Certified Composite Standard (CPA 4-ll), or ECC Sustainability Standard, is a more rigorous successor to CPA's Environmentally Preferable Product specification and certification program. The EPP program was established in 2002 and is currently in wide use throughout North America.

The basis of the ECC standard includes the "CPA Carbon Calculator," a tool developed by a third-party expert to assess the life cycle and carbon footprint of composite wood panels made at a particular manufacturing plant.

The first ECC-certified wood products were introduced in recent months, while the EPP program will be sunset on

March 3l,2012.

The North American composite panel industry is predicated on the optimal use of forestry byproducts and residuals-turning this raw material into higher value products so it's not burned or landfilled. Some consider composite wood panels, by their very nature, to be among the greenest products available for architectural, construction and consumer products.

It's a great green story, says CPA, but it's not enough. Today's architects, designers, retailers and consumers want verifiable evidence of greenness, and the ECC certification program offers that assurance. Only products carrying the ECC seal are produced in a manufacturing plant or other facility that is audited and certified by the CPA.

ECC certification is granted on an individual manufacturing plant basis, and is subject to an on-site qualification audit and subsequent annual on-site audits by CPA. Composite panel products must first comply with the stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) formaldehyde emission regulation. In addition, the panel manufacturing facility must meet at least three of the following requirements:

Carbon Footprint - The plant must demonstrate that the panel's carbon store offsets its carbon footprint cradleto-gate as determined in kg-CO' equivalents of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Each plant must use the CPA Carbon Calculator to determine if its panels perform as a carbon sink, resulting in overall net carbon storage.

. Local and Renewable Resource - At least 857o of wood fiber must be sourced within 250 miles of the panel plant.

. Recycled/Recovered - At least 757o of wood fiber must be recycled or recovered or at least SOEa rccycled ot recovered wood fiber plus a minimtm of 57o post-consumer wood fiber.

Sustainability - At least 977o of wood fiber is converted to panels or re-utilized as a valued product. Non-valued products include wood residuals shipped to a landfill, material hauled away for a tipping fee as waste material, and boiler ash waste.

Wood Sourcing - Conformity with FSC Controlled Wood Standard (2008), FSC Chain of Custody Standard (2008), or SFI Fiber Sourcing Requirements (2011). ECC panels may help achieve LEED credits for recycled content, regional materials, certified wood, and lowemittins material.

Sea-Sno Millto Close

Open since 194l , SeattleSnohomish Mill, Snohomish, Wa., has notified its 50 employees that it will close next month.

"This is a very difficult decision," said owner Megan McMurray. "We have a dedicated work force, some of whom have been with us for more than three decades."

She blamed the collapse of the housing and construction industry for closure of the mill. Nearly 4,000 building permits were issued for Snohomish County in 2006, compared to less than 2,000 last year. Timber harvests also fell, from about 3 million bd. ft. in 2005 to about 1.8 million bd. ft. in 2009.

RSG Buys Washington's lntermountain Supply

Roofing distributor Intermountain Supply, with DCs in Seattle and Spokane, Wa., has been acquired by Roofing Supply Group, Dallas, Tx.

"Founded in 1995, Intermountain Supply has established itself as the leading roofing supply distributor in the state of Washington and throughout the Northwestem U.S. and has an excellent reputation," said RSG president and c.e.o. Mike Farrell. "We had identified Washington as an attractive market for RSG's entry in 2011, and we are thrilled to partner with the IMS team to extend our footprint into this new geographic region."

RSG serves roofing contractors and homebuilders from 58 branches in 23 states.

Murphy Expands Panel Mill

Murphy Plywood is building three structures totaling 60,000 sq. ft. at its plywood plant in Rogue River, Or.

The expansion will boost the size of the mill, currently 164,000 sq. ft., by one third. Murphy is also installing new machinery to create value-added plywood and is constructing a rail spur to improve shipping.

Two years ago, Murphy paid $3.6 million for the mothballed facility previously operated by Panel Processing, Alpena, Mi., and restarted it in December 2010.

Murphy also operates a hardwood plywood mill in Eugene, Or., and a structural beam facilitv in Sutherlin. Or.

Sears Spins Off OSH

Sears Holding Corp. completed its spinoff of Orchard Supply Hardware, San Jose. Ca.. effective Dec. 30.

The 87-unit hardware chain now trades on the Nasdaq market as "osH."

Coating Company Adds Contractor Supply Store

Eco Building Products has opened a retail store for contractors and homeowners in a newly expanded space at its headquarters in Vista, Ca.

The new space offers Eco Red Shield treated lumber products, JeldWen windows and doors, Decra roofing systems, and Superior Universal Vinyl fencing to the general public.

The company also recently began treating wood at its new, 30,000-sq. ft. coating facility in Salem, Or., which is located on a rail spur.

"ECOB has been on the move throughout the stagnant housing market and is well positioned in the right markets," said president and c.e.o. Steve Conboy. "Our efforts are starting to show results with this new coating facility positioning us closer to where the trees turn into lumber. Now we can cost effectively deliver Eco Red Shield products to Hawaii and northeastern regions."

Gity Mill Co. is buitding a 45,000-sq. ft. store in Ewa Beach (Oahu), Hi., to open by yea/s end.

Demolition beoan on All American Hoire Center, Downey, Ca., Jan. 16, one month after the 52-year-old business closed.

Three-unit King's Ace Hardware, Billings, Mt., has acquired Laurel Ace Hardwore, Lauret, Mt., from Dean Rankin, who is retiring after 31 years.

Laurel Ace will retain its name as wellas longtime mgr. Reece Ganett.

Ace Hardwaro is opening a 9,300-sq. ft. store next month in Seaside, Or. (Winfield Muffett, owner).

Meeks Lumber & Hard. Wafe'S shuttered 6-acre site in Grass Valley, Ca., has been placed up for sale for $3.349 million.

Brinton's, Carmel, Ca., abruptly closed Jan.22 after51 years.

Lowe's has canceled plans to build a store on 20 acres in Salinas, Ca., which had been approved by the city in October.

Nelson Auctions, Porterville, Ca., liquidated inventory during a Feb. 3-4 auction at Lowe''s form-er store site in Los Banos, Ca. The home center closed last October due to underperformance.

City Lumber Co., Astoria, Or., was voted the area's best home improvement store by readers of the Daily Astorian.