Does the ATCM apply to curved or bent plywood?
Curved plywood is excluded from the definition of hardwood plywood and is not subject to the ATCM. While CARB staff recognizes that the process of making curved plywood may be similar to industrial grade hardwood plywood, there are important differences, such as the use of a radio frequency curing during the pressing process. Also, CARB does not have emissions data to accurately characterize curved plywood formaldehyde emissions. CARB intends to further evaluate curved plywood in the future to determine whether regulatory amendments are necessary to include curved plywood into the definition of hardwood plywood and thereby require third party certification. We understand that some industry groups use the terms curved plywood and bent plywood interchangeably. However, we also understand that in some situations, flat panels are treated with steam and then bent by a fabricator to the desired shape, making what some refer to as bent plywood. In this case, the fabricator would need to use f
Curved plywood is excluded from the definition of hardwood plywood and is not subject to the ATCM. While CARB staff recognizes that the process of making curved plywood may be similar to industrial grade hardwood plywood, there are important differences, such as the use of a radio frequency curing during the pressing process. Also, CARB does not have emissions data to accurately characterize curved plywood formaldehyde emissions. CARB intends to further evaluate curved plywood in the future to determine whether regulatory amendments are necessary to include curved plywood into the definition of hardwood plywood and thereby require third party certification. We understand that some industry groups use the terms curved plywood and bent plywood interchangeably. However, we also understand that in some situations, flat panels are treated with steam and then bent by a fabricator to the desired shape, making what some refer to as bent plywood. In this case, the fabricator would need to use f
