How Does Resin Plate Laminate Work?

High-pressure laminate panels (also called HPL panels or phenolic panels) are made using high pressure and heat to compress layers of kraft paper and other binding agents into solid compact boards.

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As a globally trusted phenolic panel manufacturer, Fundermax has been in the industry for over a century, and while we’ve seen more people become familiar with what HPL panels are, many still wonder, “How are HPL panels made?”

With our amount of experience, we love to answer this question -- it’s what we do every day.

How Are Fundermax HPL Panels Made?

Fundermax panels are made by compressing kraft papers and binding resins using high pressure and heat. The resulting product is an industry-leading phenolic panel creation.

1. Paper + Resin

Phenolic panel creation begins with specially selected core paper that meets strict parameters for color, weight, and tear strength. This type of paper is called kraft paper.  The long fibers within the paper are the foundation of the kraft paper’s strength, and these fibers allow effective impregnation with resin.

To be able to join the core paper layers long-term, they are first impregnated with resin types that are known for their binding strength. Melamine and phenol are the most important resin types in HPL panel creation.

The basis of most high-pressure laminates is phenolic resin. Phenolic resin keeps the panel core flexible, is essential for the bending strength of the boards, and can be mixed with flame-retardant additives. The core papers are impregnated with a precisely calculated application of phenolic resin; the freshly impregnated paper is then dried, cut, and placed on steel pallets.

As implied by the name, the decorative layer, or decor paper, determines the decor of the HPL panel. Many different designs including solid colors and prints are available, and even the finest wood grains can be displayed with high resolution.

The décor paper resins play a significant role when it comes to the durability of the surface, including scratch- and abrasion-resistance. Like the core papers, the decor papers are impregnated with décor paper resins and then dried, inspected, and cut.

The core paper and decor paper are now ready for stacking.

2. Layer + Stack

Fundermax Max Compact boards are made of several layers of core paper and one layer of decor paper on each side. The thickness of the board determines the number of core paper layers needed.

For example, to produce a 1mm-thick HPL panel, 2-3 paper core layers are required. In comparison, 6mm-thick Fundermax panels are made using approximately 24 core papers.

We begin by stacking the layers of the compact board on a press plate. The press plate is responsible for the surface of the board and provides the requested structure/texture and gloss. The layers are precisely positioned in order to ensure optimal usage of the press plate and to prohibit trim waste.

First, a layer of decor paper is placed on the press plate. Next, a layer of precisely-counted core papers; then, a final decor layer is placed on the top of the panel stack. Now, the paper stack is ready for pressing.

3. Pressure + Heat

After stacking is complete, the semi-finished board goes into the press between two heated press plates. Symmetric pressure and consistent heat are required to guarantee an appropriate joining of the impregnated paper layers. This thermo-setting creates strong, irreversible bonds that contribute to the durability of high-pressure laminates.

To ensure a perfect result, Fundermax panels are made using a regulated temperature sequence and hydraulic plungers to evenly allocate the compression during the HPL panel creation. Depending on the pressing sequence, the process takes about 30-90 minutes.

4. Inspect + Trim

Before leaving the press, the phenolic panels are cooled. Next, the boards are trimmed and then both sides of the board are given a thorough visual examination. Finally, the HPL panels are labeled, stacked, and ready to be packed for shipment to the customer.

Common Questions About HPL Panels

What is kraft paper?

Kraft paper gets its name from the German word kraft, meaning strong, and is made using the Kraft process. The Kraft process involves the chemical conversion of wood into wood pulp using a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide as the liquor in which the wood is cooked to loosen the fibers.

Why must the fibers be loosened? The structural components in wood are lignin and cellulose, but lignin does not make a good paper. This means the lignin must be separated from the cellulose. To do this, the Kraft method cooks wood chips in a solution of sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide to break apart the lignin and cellulose.

This method produces wood pulp with a reduced lignin content and high sulfur ratio, distinguishing itself from other paper production methods because the resulting kraft paper is stronger than paper produced by other methods.

Are all phenolic panels made the same?

The overall makeup of high-pressure laminates is similar between companies, but different phenolic panel manufacturers have their own processes and make their panels differently based on application, markets, and costs.

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 Higher quality panels will have more durable, integral acrylic surfaces with no risk of delamination. Lower quality panels will use after the fact applied acrylic films which can have issues over time depending on the application.

One of many unique features of how Fundermax panels are made is our in-house resin station where we mix and prepare our own resin formulas. This allows us to achieve the desired quality of chemicals to ensure an industry-leading product that meets all of our high standards. Fundermax owns several patents on the technology we use on our NT surface for Max Exterior panels.

Are HPL panels sustainable?

Yes. Most HPL panels are sustainable in some way, regardless of the manufacturer. Fundermax places a great priority on sustainability and has continued to raise the bar in our industry. Read more about sustainable phenolic cladding panels here.

Are HPL panels durable?

Yes. HPL panels are made for ultimate durability, including weather-, chemical-, and abrasion-resistance. Read more about the durability of phenolic wall panels here.

Are HPL panels code compliant?

Yes, but the extent depends on the manufacturer. Some phenolic panel manufacturers are code compliant with just what is minimally required. However other manufacturers, like Fundermax, go beyond what is required in their HPL panel creation. Read more about phenolic panel testing and code compliance here.

Fundermax panels are made for a wealth of applications, from solid exterior phenolic wall panels to thinner decorative HPL plates placed on carrier materials.

While overall, HPL panels are made from a common framework, in order to ensure you select high-quality phenolic wall panels, make certain you work with highly reputable and globally trusted phenolic panel manufacturers like Fundermax.

Fundermax is a global phenolic panel manufacturer for exterior, interior, and laboratory applications. We are known for our durable phenolic panels (also called high-pressure laminate or HPL panels) that are used in residential and commercial buildings, labs, universities, public facilities, and more.

Our company has been around for more than a century and as a globally trusted, sustainable brand, we hear a lot of good questions from architects and designers around the world.

One such question is, “How do they make HPL panels out of paper?” This question is usually followed closely by, “Wait. Does kraft paper swell?”

If you’ve heard that phenolic panels have a kraft paper core, you are right – which makes these questions perfectly warranted. (A paper core? How does that work?)

We are so glad you asked. Let’s start at the beginning.

How Are HPL Panels Made?

1. Kraft Paper

This specially selected core paper meets strict parameters for color, weight, and tear strength. The long fibers within kraft paper are the foundation of its strength and also allow the paper to be effectively impregnated by the resin in the next step.

2. Phenolic Resin

The core papers are impregnated with resin types known for their binding strength in order for the layers to be joined long-term. Melamine and phenol are the most important resin types in HPL panel creation. Phenolic resin is the basis of most high-pressure laminates. Phenolic resin can be mixed with flame-retardant additives; it also keeps the panel core flexible, which is essential for the bending strength of phenolic cladding panels.

3. Layers

After the core papers are impregnated with Fundermax’s precisely-calculated phenolic resin application, they are dried, cut, and placed on steel plates. The specified panel thickness determines the number of core paper layers needed. Fundermax HPL panels are made by stacking several layers of core paper and one layer of decor paper on each side. 

4. Pressure + Heat

After stacking, the semi-finished panel is pressed between two heated press plates. Thermo-setting with symmetric pressure and consistent heat guarantees an appropriate joining of the resin-impregnated paper layers and creates strong, irreversible bonds that contribute to the phenolic panel's durability.

Why Our Kraft Paper Core Doesn’t Swell

But, wait? Does kraft paper swell?

That is a very good question, and the answer lies in the chemical reaction that takes place during thermo-setting. When cured, the chemical makeup of Fundermax’s specially formulated resins that impregnate the kraft paper results in a nonporous material, protecting the kraft paper core from swelling or being damaged. It is physically impossible for water to soak into our phenolic panels.

Because our panels are nonporous, they are impenetrable to certain things (like water or moisture) that may commonly damage other types of panels. The importance of nonporous materials can vary depending on the application, so not all phenolic panel manufacturers make it a priority. However, all Fundermax phenolic panels are nonporous.

Nonporous materials are especially important for lab work surfaces to ensure that germs, bacteria, and chemicals don't penetrate the surface and compromise the panel. This is of course also highly important for high-moisture interior applications as well as exterior applications to ensure that water, dirt, debris, chemicals, and graffiti don’t compromise the panel surface, strength, and durability.

How HPL Panels Are Durable

Because of our proprietary resin formula, we’re able to provide a nonporous, weather-, UV-, and chemical-resistant material that does not chip, peel, or delaminate. The kind of wall panel longevity offered by HPL panels is rooted in the durability and low maintenance of the material. 

The graffiti-, scratch-, and weather-resistance of phenolic cladding panels combined with the durability to withstand harsh cleaning when necessary, result in high wall panel longevity with low maintenance.

How Testing & Code Compliance Provide Peace of Mind

The phenolic panels Fundermax offers have been tested rigorously and comply with many code requirements to provide clients the added peace of mind of local and national code compliance. "Fundermax has always set an example for market education regarding the various technical parameters of code compliance and building occupant safety,” reflects Fundermax North America’s Technical Director, Paul McCafferty.

Although only a few tests are actually required by IBC Code for HPL panels, we stand by our products so much that we voluntarily put them through extra testing – further showcasing just how impenetrable our panels are – in order to offer architects, contractors, and building owners added peace of mind when choosing Fundermax products.

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