Environmental Questions
What is Richlite® made out of?
Where does Richlite® paper come from?
Does Richlite® use recycled paper?
What type of paper is used?
Is it considered a “green” product?
Does Richlite® off-gas?
What is LEED?
Can Richlite® be specified for LEED projects?
What is Richlite® made out of?
Richlite® specializes in the manufacture of natural fiber composites. Richlite® is primarily paper treated with phenolic resin and baked to create a solid sheet. During the production cycle the layers of paper are gradually crossed-linked with each other to create solid, durable sheets. Once the curing process is complete, the structure of the product is permanent and cannot be altered. The final product is exceptionally strong and still maintains a warm and natural look. For more information see
Richlite’s technical composition in the FAQ.
Where does Richlite® paper come from?
Richlite® paper comes from pulp that is derived from trees, which are harvested from certified managed forests in North America.
Does Richlite® use recycled paper?
Although some recycled content is used in Richlite®, the company does not have a set content percentage requirement established for its manufacturing process. Recycled paper isn’t uniform so producers have to add fillers that don’t meet the standards of Richlite®’s custom paper. In addition, recycled paper producers have to use a lot of chemicals to clean the paper that may not fit with the company’s environmental standards.
What type of paper is used?
We use a specially-formulated custom paper specified for color and strength capabilities.
Is it considered a “green” product?
Yes. Richlite® is classified green in large part because the predominate raw material is derived from renewable or recycled resources. Managed and sustainable forests, habitat conservation efforts, along with prudent manufacturing practices are just some of the environmental mandates that go into our product.
We use the most environmentally benign production methods and materials available. During the saturation and drying process, over 99% of the volatile organic compounds are incinerated. The heat from that incineration is used for the drying process to minimize thermal pollution. There is no hazardous waste generated in our process.
Does Richlite® off-gas?
No. Richlite® does not off-gas because the compounds inside it chemically cross-link during the
manufacturing process and are locked into the solid surface creating a homogenous material. For
more technical information on off-gassing, click here.
What is LEED?
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system designed for evaluating a building's environmental performance. The LEED system has been widely adopted for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings.
Can Richlite® be specified for LEED projects?
Richlite® is currently researching its products to confirm they contribute to LEED building certification guidelines for rapidly renewable and low-emitting materials.
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