Continuous Lamination of HPL, Fused LP Panels and Finish Foils, 1993 European Plastic Laminates Forum Proceedings

During the TAPPI conference held in June 1989, a number of papers were presented on the subject of continuous lamination of a variety of decorative products. At that time, the future of this type of manufacturing technology appeared to be very bright as the viable production of high pressure decorative laminates (HPL), edge banding, continuous melamine laminates (CML), and melamine faced particle board had been recently demonstrated. At that point in time, double-belt press equipment and the thermosetting resin chemistry had evolved to levels which eliminated many of the drawbacks of early designs. Thus this revolutionary technology was poised to make a serious impact on the decorative material market.

The timing could not have been worse for a high risk/high reward type of technology to be ready for market. The great world-wide depression over the last three years impacted our businesses in a number of ways related to continuous lamination:

* Generated excess manufacturing capacity utilizing traditional lamination techniques.

* Reduced capital investment budgets.

* Minimized research and development projects.

* Fostered a new conservatism in key-decision makers.

Therefore although the technology was ready for the market, the market in retrospect was not ready for continuous lamination. Now in August 1992, the companies that had invested in the continuous press technology three years ago have shown that it does work. In addition, the evolution of the technology has progressed to a new level of development.