Defining Richlite -- What is it and How was it Invented?

Richlite is made in Tacoma, Washington by Rainier Plywood -- a privately owned company that has been in business since 1943. Richlite solid surface sheet products were the result of research collaboration between Rainier and Boeing Aircraft. Boeing engineers were hoping to find a material for their template shop that had greater strength than Plywood. So the joint team of engineers introduced paper soaked in phenolic resin and heat pressed until stable. The result was Richlite, a non-porous and very strong material.

The color is solid all the way through the thickness of Richlite (thicknesses available from 1/4" up to 3"). There are ten colors to choose from, each having a warm, mat appearance -- a welcome alternative to the glare of the high gloss choices abundant today.

Major Certifications of Richlite include:

1. FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council) which means that a chain of custody is maintained from managed forests.

2. Greenguard for Children & Schools, the top safety rating test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

3. And the popular food-safe certification, NSF 51, for commercial food prep surfaces for both Baguette and Black Richlite

I am excited to show all the ways Richlite is useful in today's world of projects. Show and tell will follow in the months ahead. Let me know if you have a project to show.