Bathroom wall panel brand Multipanel has asked the industry to re-think MDF, with the redesign of the product’s core to improve sustainability and address supply issues.  

Multiplanel states the exterior-grade MDF used in its wall panels is as high-performing and more sustainable than birch plywood timber, previously used by the company. 

According to the company, exterior MDF is denser than plywood, offers excellent stability during installation and is easy to work with on site.

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The company chose to transition to an MDF core to address supply chain issues caused by the war between Russia and the Ukraine, and to maintain a sustainable manufacturing process.

It means Multipanel is able to maintain its commitment to using only Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materials, sourcing the panel core locally from Medite in the Republic of Ireland

Sales director of Multipanel John Mortimer said: “While the catalyst for changing the interior of our wall panels from birch plywood to an exterior MDF core was the illegal war in Ukraine, we have seen many benefits from making the change and we want the industry to understand the advantages of Exterior grade MDF over traditional birch plywood.  

“Making this switch also has incredible sustainability benefits. The new core is locally sourced from Medite in Ireland, drastically reducing the transit miles from tree to bathroom and is manufactured using recycled materials reducing its environmental impact. We are proud of the fact that you won’t find a more sustainable wall panel on the market in the UK.”

Over 8,000 Multipanel wall panels are manufactured each week at the company’s factory in Edinburgh and distributed throughout the UK and Northern Europe through bathroom showrooms, merchants and online retailers.

Multipanel’s Tile Collection is the only tile-effect wall panel collection in the UK to hold both Made In Britain and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council FSC 123180) certification and the brand comes with a 30-year warranty