The two companies have taken different approaches to producing FR OSB, with Norbord focusing on two options – an intumescent coating (No-Burn) for its Sterling OSB FR Coat and a non-combustible board bonded to its normal Sterling OSB for Sterling OSB FR Bond.
In contrast, SmartPly has made changes and investments to its Waterford OSB plant, with fire-retardants added to OSB strands during board production in the pre-press stage, giving a fire-retardant performance throughout the panel.
Both companies’ products have been listed in a recent update to a Structural Timber Association fire safety specification document.
Norbord’s EU brand manager, Mike Buick, told TTJ that Norbord had spent 18 months testing its new OSB FR products. He believes they will boost the company’s OSB sales.
"Over the next few years we expect housing to pick up and timber frame’s share to pick up."
SmartPly will officially launch its new product during the first quarter.
SmartPly sales manager George Watson told TTJ it was difficult to gauge what the market reaction would be but said sales volumes of the FR product would be a valuable addition to SmartPly.
He said it was a premium product but would be price competitive against other FR panels, including non-combustible boards, such as magnesium oxide panels (MgO).
"OSB is a product which timber frame manufacturers will find it easier to work with; it is less heavy, easier to cut and with less dust [than non-combustible panels]," said Mr Watson.
Mr Watson said once SmartPly secured Euro classification for the product it would be able to target the board at other market sectors.
Other new value-added OSB products are to be launched by SmartPly in the coming months, including DryBacker, a processed infill panel to be used in conjunction with metal partitioning systems, allowing heavy items to be secured against it.
Additional new OSB products will be added when SmartPly completes the investment in a new continuous press at the Waterford factory next year.
