Market Opportunities for E-MDF

中密度和高密度纤维板（MDF和HDF）是用于建筑和家具的木纤维板。制造商目前创造木纹效果使用木材单板和铝箔包装。沃里克激光系统公司开发了一种激光工艺（称为E-cylinder），可以将木纹饰面蚀刻到木材和HDF的表面上，具有真实的木材的外观和感觉。不需要额外的材料，最终产品是实木的最经济有效的替代品。我们已经开发了一种工艺，这是以前低，操作速度是商业上可行的。产品制造商表示希望这项技术能够商业化，商业化进程将使制造商能够提供更广泛的产品范围和市场，成为高端实木和低端现有MDF产品的中间市场替代品。木材不规则，如分裂，是不存在的，从而最大限度地减少浪费和减少垃圾填埋。减少了对进口硬木单板的依赖，同时也保护了濒危树种。目前的原型工艺允许加工约180毫米宽的单板。更多的投资将促进技术改造，允许加工更大的工件。商业化将通过潜在的新制造设施，就业机会和环境效益为英国PLC市场带来好处。研究使我们相信该技术在其他地方无法商业化。英国的先发优势可能会带来出口机会，例如将该技术授权给中国、德国、马来西亚和美国的全球制造商，这些制造商的产量都明显高于英国。我们的目标是进一步与供应链中更广泛的制造商、指定商和消费者接触，以评估需求、市场规模和所需的预计产能。TSB的资金对于证明该工艺商业化所需的专家市场研究至关重要。

Medium Density & High Density Fibreboard (MDF & HDF) are wood fibre based panelsused in construction & furniture. Manufacturers currently create wood grain effects by usingwood veneers & foil wrapping. Warwick Laser Systems have developed a laser process(called E-MDF) allowing a wood grain finish to be etched onto the surface of MDF & HDF,with the look & feel of real wood. No extra materials are required & the end product is a morecost-effective alternative to solid wood. We have developed a process, which was previouslyslow, to an operating speed that is commercially viable. Product manufacturers haveexpressed a desire for this technology to be available commercially.The commercial process will allow manufacturers to offer wider product ranges & themarketplace a middle-market alternative to high-end solid wood & low-end existing MDFproducts. Wood irregularities, such as splits, are non-existent thereby minimising wastage &reducing landfill. Reliance on imported hardwood veneers are reduced as well as conservingendangered wood species.The current prototype process allows for approximately 180mm wide MDF pieces to beprocessed. Greater investment would facilitate a technological modification allowing largerpieces to be processed. Commercialisation will result in UK plc market benefit throughpotential new manufacturing facilities, employment opportunities & environmental benefits.Research leads us to believe the technology is not commercially available elsewhere. Firstmover advantage for the UK could lead to export opportunities, such as licensing thetechnology to global MDF players in China, Germany, Malaysia & the USA who all producesignificantly more MDF than the UK.We aim to further engage with a wider range of manufacturers, specifiers & consumers in thesupply chain to assess demand, market size & projected capacities required. TSB funding isessential for the expert market research required to justify commercialisation of the process.