Cutting edge composite product boosted by FSC

“Nobody really knows exactly how or why Richlite was originally produced or why someone thought of it,” says Don Atkinson, Richlite Sales and Marketing Director.
 
One thing seems clear though: at some point there must have been a brilliant inventor around in the Richlite family, owners of the successful Rainier Richlite ® Company.  
Based on its multi-purpose properties, Richlite has users ranging from aerospace technology and extreme sports to households. 

As many as 6 separate websites are used to present the material to its different buyer groups.

FSC certification a top factor in success

One key property of Richlite is its eco-friendliness. All Richlite products are made either with FSC-certified or post-consumer recycled paper. It is also a natural low-emission product and Greenguard certified for indoor use. 

The Green Building sector has become important for Richlite in recent years. Atkinson explains: “We got into the whole architectural market and that has been huge. And even though we’ve had this rough economy…kind of two main things really saved us. For one we still had a unique product, and if there was building going on it was fairly easy for us to get in there because it was so unique and people were willing to listen; but even bigger than that was the demand for green products, especially in the LEED certified category in commercial buildings. Even though building was shrinking, the trend of going green was definitely increasing”.  

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system for green building created by the United States Green Building Council.

Cutting edge cutting boards

Rainforest Alliance/SmartWood Chain-of-Custody Coordinator Paul Vanderford says: “The certification of Richlite has led to the emergence of a whole range of new FSC products. One example is Epicurean cutting boards".

"This product came about as a way to recycle leftover pieces of Richlite from the production of skateboarding ramps", Vanderford explains. 

"The cutting boards became so popular that the founders sold the skateboarding division to focus directly on consumer food preparation products. I understand Epicurean cutting boards can be found in over 6,000 stores worldwide including major U.S retail stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Epicurean received their FSC Chain of custody certification last year and now offer very durable, attractive, forest-friendly cutting boards that any consciences consumer can get behind. ”.

Tough and versatile

Richlite is a real wonder material whose versatility continues to surprise. Back in the 50s, Richlite was first used for Boeing airlines as prototype material in wind tunnel tests. According to company lore, sometime in the 60s an employee at Boeing took some Richlite home and found that it served as an excellent surface for food preparation. For the next few decades Richlite was used almost exclusively in the aerospace industry and in the commercial food preparation industry. 

Today, it is also used in the coating of whaling boats, for countertops and cutting boards, and for many construction and industrial purposes. It is also considered a premium material for skateboard ramps. Its applications continue to expand every year, and the latest use of Richlite includes the fret board and bridge on specific models of Martin Guitars. 

The unique properties of the material account for its popularity for so many purposes. It is not only eco-friendly, but also visually attractive and very tough. For example, it is highly resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and corrosion. The great strength of the material is achieved through a special process whereby hundreds of specially treated paper sheets are linked with each other to make up a durable product.

Rainier Richlite ® Company (SW-COC-002292) and Epicuran (SW-COC-004008) both hold FSC chain of custody certification issued by the Rainforest Alliance. Learn more about Rainier Richlite at www.richlite.com and Epicurean www.epicureancs.com. 

Pictures courtesy of Richlite and Epicurean.