MEDITE SMARTPLY is a market-leading manufacturer of sustainable timber construction panels. Here, Head of Business Development, Roly Ward, fills us in on the company’s offering, and in particular its impressive range of moisture-resistant MDF panels ...
Could you please give an overview of MEDITE SMARTPLY’s offering?
MEDITE SMARTPLY is part of Coillte, an innovative, FSC-certified Irish forestry and forest products company. Based in Clonmel and Waterford, Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY produces a versatile range of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) building products.
The company’s commitment to sustainability is central to its operations, ensuring that products are as environmentally conscious in their creation as they are in their application.
Both MEDITE SMARTPLY’s offerings are made from sustainable wood products. OSB is produced from FSC-certified pine and spruce, while MDF consists of 40% wood chip and 60% by-product.
These products are among the most environmentally efficient building materials available, supported by a product-specific Type 3 Environmental Product Declaration, offering specifiers peace of mind.
Carbon captured in the panels during the growth of trees in sustainably managed forests remains locked in for the product’s lifespan and the buildings in which they are used. All panels are fully certified, UKCA and CE marked, legally sourced, and sustainable. Using timber in construction is essential for creating a low-impact built environment, as it typically has lower embodied carbon than synthetically produced materials.
The company collaborates with customers and the supply chain to support their carbon reduction efforts, promoting best practices within the industry and contributing to a reduction in overall carbon impact.
Could you talk more specifically about MEDITE’s MDF offering?
From its production and research plant in Clonmel, Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY offers a comprehensive range of MDF products designed to meet the diverse needs of users, specifiers, and designers. With a strong focus on research and development, MEDITE provides a variety of high-quality products and customer-led innovations. These advancements have improved key attributes such as finish quality, moisture resistance, and flame retardancy.
The production process at MEDITE ensures excellent machinability, providing splinter-free edges that are ideal for precise applications. MEDITE MDF’s consistent, smooth surface allows easy paint and finish application, reducing imperfections.
MEDITE MDF is also known for its sustainability and low formaldehyde emissions. Since 2010, all MEDITE products have been fully CARB2 compliant, meeting stringent standards for formaldehyde emissions, which is critical for environmentally sensitive applications.
MEDITE SMARTPLY continues to innovate and expand its product offerings, making it easier for customers to choose sustainable and responsible building materials. For example, the company’s high-performance wood panel MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME offers a compelling alternative to traditional materials for non-structural applications, both indoors and outdoors. The combination of acetylated wood fibre with MEDITE’s advanced manufacturing technology enables its use in situations where standard MDF panels would not suffice, while still retaining the design, fixing, and machining flexibility of traditional MDF.
With the added benefits of sustainability, lightweight, and design flexibility, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME opens up new possibilities for designers and even furniture makers.
A luxurious London home recently underwent a complete bathroom remodel using MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME and MEDITE MR MDF due to their exceptional water- and moisture-resistant properties and versatile machinability. Infinitus Bespoke Interiors specified these products for this ambitious art deco project, leveraging the smooth, consistent surface for intricate machining into bespoke decorative elements like cupboards, furniture, and curved ceiling cladding.
MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was chosen for areas likely to come into contact with water, ensuring the longevity of the installation with its 50-year guarantee, even in humid conditions.
Could you please take us through the benefits of moisture-resistant MDF panels?
Modern moisture-resistant MDF offers enhanced durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, making it ideal for various furniture applications.
The benefits of moisture-resistant MDF panels include:
Improved durability: Moisture-resistant MDF outlasts regular fibreboards in areas prone to moisture, offering a longer lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. Enhanced machinability: These panels allow for smooth, precise cuts, ensuring high-quality finishes. Ease of use: Some MDF options eliminate the need for sanding and priming, streamlining projects and saving time.Examples of moisture-resistant MDF panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY, in addition to the MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME, mentioned above include:
MEDITE MR LITE: A lightweight, moisture-resistant MDF suitable for non-stressed applications like kitchen and bathroom furniture, skirting boards, and general interior joinery. MEDITE MR LITE can be used in accordance with L-MDF.H (Option 1) as defined in EN 622-5. It serves as a substitute for softwood in non-stressed applications and can be used in applications where light routing is adequate. For more demanding applications, the options below are recommended.
MEDITE MR PLUS: This primed MDF is designed for humid conditions in accordance with MDF.H (Option 1) as defined in EN 622-5 and is perfect for furniture and general joinery. It features a UV-cured coating system, reducing the need for additional priming and sanding, and offers superior end-product quality.
Primed on both surfaces with an opaque UV-cured coating system, it provides a matt low gloss topcoat that is the perfect smooth base for further application of water or solvent-borne paint products by brush, roller or spraying equipment. This enables savings and reductions in the finished coating systems while maintaining superior end-product quality.
MEDITE OPTIMA: Engineered for high density and enhanced machinability, this MDF has an extra smooth surface, requiring less paint and offering significant cost savings. It is ideal for creating high-quality, moisture-resistant furniture and joinery.
Designed for humid conditions in accordance with MDF.H (Option 1) as defined in EN 622-5, it is used as a substitute for softwoods and hardwoods in non-stressed applications such as kitchen furniture, bathroom furniture, architectural mouldings, window boards, flooring, and general interior joinery.
What sets MEDITE SMARTPLY’s offering apart?
MEDITE SMARTPLY stands out for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. All timber used in its products is sourced from sustainably managed, FSC and PEFC-certified forests, ensuring responsible forestry practices.
MEDITE SMARTPLY goes a step further by utilising fast-growing trees that lock up carbon during their lifespan, significantly contributing to the reduction of the construction industry’s carbon footprint.
In addition to its sustainability credentials, MEDITE SMARTPLY is at the forefront of innovation, continually developing advanced wood panel solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market. This combination of sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology sets MEDITE SMARTPLY apart as a leader in the industry.
