Eco Friendly Richlite Sign Material
RICHLITE: A NEW KIND OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER: Richlite® Industrial Composites combine many of the positive aspects of wood, metal, and plastic. Originally designed for use in the production of the Boeing 747, Richlite® industrial material is hard, yet easy to machine, has a high strength to weight ratio, and is chemically and thermally stable. Richlite is made primarily of paper purchased from managed forests throughout North America. The paper is treated with resin then pressed and baked to create solid sheets. Can be used for exterior sign applications, may be sandblasted. Richlite comes in multiple sizes and widths. Standard sheets are available in 4'x8' to 5'x12' sizes and 30" half sheets to match a variety of design tastes. The product is readily available in ¾" to 1½" thickness.
Established in 1943, Rainier Richlite Company started producing natural fiber composites for aerospace and industrial markets in the late 1950s. The material was used for tooling purposes by Boeing and later adopted by the marine industry as a boat building material. It's beautiful, unquestionably durable and will last for years.
Richlite is considered a "green" product. It was introduced as the industry's first solid material made of hemp. Richlite is an aesthetically appealing, durable and environmentally sustainable alternative to stone and other popular solid surface materials. The boards are made of paper with fibers from fast-growing abaca, a palm-like plant grown in the Philippines and Ecuador commonly called hemp.
Richlite uses 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.
Richlite® is currently researching its products to confirm they contribute to LEED building certification guidelines for rapidly renewable and low-emitting materials.
MSDS (pdf)
Properties (pdf)
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