Located in North Carolina, we provide eco-friendly cabinetry for our clients.
Distinctive Designs uses Greenguard Certified Finishing Products on all of our custom cabinets.
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), in conjunction with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), has established the most stringent performance-based certification programs to define products with low chemical and particle emissions for use indoors. Distinctive Designs offers environmentally friendly plywood for the true, GREEN customer. Enviromentally Friendly Plywood: For just a small fraction more, we can help build your custom cabinets out of all green materials. Pure Bond Plywood is nature’s choice for Custom Cabinet Building.
PureBond® Facts
- PureBond® technology utilizes formaldehyde-free, soy-based adhesive
- Manufacturing with PureBond® technology contributes to an air-friendly indoor environment
- PureBond® veneer-core panels are cost-competitive with traditional panels made using UF construction
- Panels offer superior moisture resistance
- Panels are LEED® compliant and may contribute points for EQ Credit 4.4 for Low-Emitting Materials: Composite Wood
- Panels can be specified as FSC-certified upon request
- PureBond® is manufactured exclusively in North America by Columbia Forest Products.
Environmental responsibility
For Columbia, this begins in the forest, where we take responsibility for the sustainable harvesting practices we use. We employ a certified team of professional foresters to work with landowners and develop timber plans that assure long-term health of the forested property. At our mills, we recycle scrap for fuel in our furnaces, and sell residual material to others who use it for mulch or other products. And because we’ve converted to the PureBond® system, the benefits of our soy flour-based, formaldehyde-free technology are enjoyed by employees in our mills, at our customers’ shops and by the end consumer.
Biomimicry: Nature-inspired design
As the pacific Ocean swirled around him, a question rushed into Dr. Kaichang Li’s head : how do mussels keep their grip on rocks that are constantly pounded by waves? Dr. Li, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, found that mussels secrete proteins known as byssal threads, which provide superior strength and extraordinary flexibility. His curiosity led to groundbreaking research – funded by Columbia Forest Products and others – based in the principles of biomimicry, which studies nature and then imitates its designs and processes to solve human problems. Li discovered that soy proteins can be modified to perform similarly to byssal threads. And not only did they deliver phenomenal adhesion, they also offered exceptional water resistance. This breakthrough led to PureBond®, proving that enhanced environmental quality and increased product performance can go hand in hand.
The Columbia Difference
Columbia Forest Products has long been a leader in sustainable forestry practices and innovative manufacturing. We’re now reaching out to homeowners and letting them know how easy it is to get top-quality cabinets, furniture and built-ins without the risk of formaldehyde. Since 2005 we’ve been manufacturing our hardwood plywood using a formaldehyde-free adhesive derived from food-grade soy flour and a wet strength resin used in printed currency and milk cartons. This proprietary assembly system, known as PureBond®, is non-toxic and cost-competitive with urea formaldehyde based plywood products. There is absolutely no added urea formaldehyde in the adhesive or the components. Over 35 million panels have been made and shipped with PureBond® technology – it’s a proven solution. Our hardwood plywood can also be specified using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified materials, making it a good green choice both for you and the environment. Your kitchen dealer, cabinet shop, remodeler or builder can help you make sure your new cabinets or furniture are made with PureBond® products, to assure that they won’t off-gas formaldehyde fumes into your home. PureBond® plywood can be specified using FSC certified materials (Source GreenGuard Environmental Resources)
