The only balancing backer to combine sustainability and performance.

Made using our proprietary formaldehyde-free polymer resin, PolyBak has earned both UL’s GREENGUARD Gold Certification and Formaldehyde Free validation. It is also verified red-list free. In addition to its low VOC emission levels, PolyBak also has extremely low embodied carbon. These benefits, combined with its durable yet flexible strength and ease of use, have set it apart as the standard for balancing backers. 

  • Richwood has fantastic customer service as well as the quality of their product. We’ve used their PolyBak product for many years and have had no major quality issues. Their reputation, the product and how it performs, speaks a lot.”

    Fred Mitchell, Columbia Forest Products

  • PolyBak is easy to use in comparison to phenolic. It remains flat, and does not break easily or scratch the face of the HPL.

    Universal Forest Products

  • Back in the 90s, we were constantly losing thousands of sheets because the backers we used back then were fragile and would break during inventory. That’s when we discovered PolyBak. Unlike the others, it could be rolled, handled easily, and stood up to the warehouse environment. We switched, and we’ve stayed with it ever since because it just warehouses and handles so much better than anything else we could buy.

    Kevin Craig, Atlantic Plywood

What Is Polybak

PolyBak is a kraft linerboard impregnated with our proprietary polyurethane resin. It is most recognized as a balancing backer but is widely used as a crossband, overlay, and substrate for thin veneers and foils.

Features & Benefits

One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive from customers who switch over to PolyBak is “It’s so easy to use!”. PolyBak’s unique combination of superior kraft linerboard and our proprietary resin blend makes it extremely robust and strong while maintaining its flexiblity - you’re welcome to grab a sample and try to snap it! Not only is it easy to use, no chemicals of concern, most notably Formaldehyde, are used in the production of PolyBak. Additionally, PolyBak’s embodied carbon is significantly low.