56 | Sector Focus: Panel Products


“If we scale this up to some big fleet operators that run hundreds of trucks, there are significant benefits. So, although the initial product price is more expensive, the return on investment is quite quick – from six months to a year.”


On the sustainability front, Paged states that RockPly further reduces CO2


emissions by


approximately 50 to 75kg per trailer annually. Thinner panels require less wood. “Our simulation for an HGV trailer fitted with 18mm RockPly, instead of the standard 30mm birch plywood, shows that we can save two to three mature birch trees per trailer. These trees will continue to absorb CO2


. For a


fleet of 100 trailers, this equates to saving 200 to 300 trees.”


RockPly’s higher price point is


understandable due its specialist nature, which includes additional manufacturing steps. But Paged is promoting it as an investment, saying the benefits ultimately create savings, efficiencies, and environmental advantages for customers.


RockPly has also been tested to meet a Class Bfl-s1 fire resistance, which may give additional benefits for some applications, though Paged already has long experience offering fire retardant products.


Above: Examining a RockPly sample at BAU in Munich


PRODUCTION


◄ Paged believes the Europe-wide road transport industry could make RockPly a very big sales item in the company’s product portfolio and create a new standard for the sector. Specifically, flooring beds for heavy goods vehicles are a target. “We’re not talking just about diesel vehicles but the new emerging market of electric vehicles. The weight for electric trucks is very important, as they’re already heavy because of the batteries, so any saving on the weight will be a benefit.” Mr Paszyski said simulations on a curtain side vehicle where 30mm ply is typically used reveal that 18mm RockPly can be used instead, with quite significant benefits. “It shows a 250kg weight reduction on a single trailer, that allows you to have an increased goods payload for the trailer. “We did a simulation covering a five-year period. We took on average how many miles the truck will do in five years, the cost of the transportation per one tonne and what an 250kg extra payload can give the fleet operator as extra income.


“The extra revenue from the increased payload is about £7,000 over five years. But not every truck is loaded to its maximum so then you have a saving on fuel. Over five years, the fleet operator can save up to £4,000 on fuel and save nearly 8,000kg of CO2 emissions.”


TTJ | May/June 2025 | www.ttjonline.com


With RockPly being such a new product and being technically very different to standard plywood products, Paged is understandably keen to protect its IP. So, TTJ can’t currently cover in detail the manufacturing process of RockPly.


“This is our secret,” explained Ms


Depczyska. “It’s not like ordinary plywood production, so we had to make some changes to manufacturing and add some extra steps and make some changes in machinery. “It is impossible to use a standard manufacturing process. It involves other chemistry. The end of the process is similar though – we need pressure, temperature and time to make the product.”


New equipment was installed and also significant training time for production line employees to learn about the new process. Paged has produced some initial volumes as samples for the market. Future plans include creating a separate production line for RockPly. “We still do not know all the potential applications of this product,” added Ms Kiciska. “We are even asking customers to come up with some ideas. Transportation and construction are the naturals, but there are others as well, such as the defence industry.”


FUTURE


The extensive R&D work and new products being launched are certainly some of the reasons for the company’s growth projections. Paged LabTech’s new R&D centre opened in Pisz in the summer of 2023, featuring additional staff and equipment, enabling the company to carry out tests on wood, composites and wood-based panels for customers, and to carry out complete product certification.


Identifying new innovative composite board products is a big target.


RockPly isn’t the only new product being developed. In 2024, the Paged DryGuard FR panel was launched, combining advanced fire and moisture protection.


The product has a B-s1, d0 (EN 13501-1) fire classification and a hydrophobic coating to reduce rainwater absorption during construction of roofs, walls and floors. “We believe we have the most advanced R&D department among the plywood manufacturers in Europe, but maybe also on a world scale – this is what drives this innovation and creation,” said Mr Paszyski. “When I look at the agenda on new products being developed it is very impressive and most of them are in the low carbon and climate friendly category,” added Ms Kiciska. “In a couple of months, we will come back to the market with novelties again, which will be super interesting.” ■


Above: Production operations at Paged Plywood


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