The Developmenf of Hardboard

by PAUI B. SHOEMAKER President, Americon Hordboord Associotion

I\TEW functions, new usefulness, new posI \ sibilities of design are part of how hardboard has come to be, over the years, one of the most versatile of modern materials.

Since its invention, it has been transformed from a plain, utilitarian panel of general use to a richly-surfaced, handsome material offering beauty that embraces utility, for a great variety of specific applications in home construction and industrial user.

Ifistorically, hardboard consumption has doubled every eight to ten years. In analyzing the increase of approximately l0 per cent annually, the American Hardboard Association attributes 15 per cent of the gain to population growth, 40 per cent to greater acceptance of hardboard for established uses, and 45 per cent to the development of new uses or exceptional expansion of acceptance for older applications.

One of the reasons for the rising acceptance of hardboard is the fact that it is a general purpose product. But a more important reason, as has been noted by the Departmeng of Commerce, is that the industry concentrates on development of products having new and improved tex- tures, colors and finishes, The department's report further indicated that per capita consumption in the United States has grown from 6.23 square feet in 1950 to 12.10 in 1961.

In light of the history of the hardboard industry, it is natural to speculate on the future rate of growth. The industry is a young and dynamic one, and its future growth will depend upon the goals it sets itself.

There is no way in which to predict with certainty what the future of hardboard and other wood products will be in terms of advances of technology.

One thing is clear. There appears to be ample raw material in the form of wood residue and small dimensional loss not suitable for finished lumber. And itls certain that the hardboard industry has the production techniques and manufacturing skills required to continue the creation of new uses and new markets for hardboard.

In the past ten years, production, sales and consumption of hardboard has increased approximately l0 per cent annually. It is not possible to say that the in. dustry can maintain this annual increase each year, because this decade marked a period of rapid expansion which is not likely to be repeated.

Another pattern has changed. Exports of domestic hardboard have declined from approximately 7 per cent of production to a fraction of I per cent. In the same decade, imports of hardboard have increased 1,900 per cent and now represent stiff competition for domestic producers.

There are, however, indications that the hardboard industry can look with confidence toward future growth.

It faces a challenge of increasing the per capita use of hardboard. The experience of the Scandinavian nations demonstrates that, although there may well be factors bearing on competition, per capita use need not be limited to the present plus.l2 per cent in the United States. In some foreign countries, the figure is nearer 50 square feet.

Through research and development, hardboard manufacturers are still turning out new products for industrial users, and there is no reason to assume that this pattern will not continue.

But the most dramatic developments in tailoring hardboard to specific demands through research have been those for construction uses. Ten years ago about I00 square feet of hardboard went into the average new home, mostly in hidden uses, such as for underlayment. With the de. velopment of new products, the use potentials greatly increased. With America building more than 1,250,000 new homes annually, and spending 35 billion dollars a year for new housing, home improvements and home furnishings, hardboard has the opportunity for continued growth merely by filling its present potential.

And with advances in research and the development of new markets through the creation of new uses, and new and appealing products, there is further indication that the industry's steady growth will continue, Ours isa versatile product, not limited in use, with markets in many areas. Its uses will increase.

Kprnonnting, McDONAID CEDAR PRODUCTS, LTD.

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