The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has amended Indian standard (IS -303 ) for plywood intended for general purposes with boiling water proof(BWP) properties for interior use earlier was only Moisture resistant(MR) and Boiling water resistance(BWR).This move aims to enhance the quality and durability of plywood products in the Indian market, ensuring better performance in humid environments and elevating standards within the wood-based industries. Plywood meeting boiling water proof standards may be more expensive to produce compared to conventional plywood. This could potentially lead to increased costs for consumers, impacting affordability, especially for budget-conscious projects.
Dr. C.N.Pandey, Principal Technical Advisor, CenturyPly views that over the period consumers developed more preference for 710 - BWP grade plywood due to their ignorance (without differentiating between IS 710 & 710 BWP markings) even in commercial applications due to cost advantages. To overcome these confusions in the market it has decided to add BWP grade in IS 303 in the interest of both consumers and manufacturers.
He further adds that Plywood is a composite material manufactured from thin layers, or "plies", of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers, having both glued with each other at right angle or at 90 degrees angle. Earlier in BIS 303, there were only two grades of commercial plywood i.e. MR (Moisture Resistance ) and BWR ( Boiling water resistance ) grades. These were only types of plywood perhaps the most widely known variants most commonly preferred choice of the consumers. Whereas IS 710, BWP( Boiling Water Proof ) grade stands for Marine Grade plywood considered to be much stronger than both MR & BWR grade plywood besides better in bonding strength for specialised applications under marine conditions suitable for the construction, repair and maintenance of marine and river craft.
Although, consumer preference for plywood quality & types can vary based on factors such as budget, project requirements, aesthetics and performance expectations. Some consumers may prioritize keeping durability and strength, while others may focus more on more resistance against use in humid conditions besides cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the consumer and the intended use of the plywood.
(Read Ply Reporter March 24 issue for technical details)