BWP is added to the IS 303 standard on plywood

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) just made an important move by adding BWP (Boiling Water Proof) into the IS 303 standard on plywood. This standard used to be the specific standard for MR (Moisture Resistance) and BWR (Boiling Water Resistance), the most recognizable plywood out there.

MR plywood (Moisture Resistance plywood) is a special plywood that can withstand moisture, commonly used in interior furniture such as wardrobes, bed, chairs and tables. With the ability to withstands humidity, this plywood is suitable for indoor area with normal humidity. MR plywood sample was tested by immersion in water at a temperature of 60 ± 2°C for 3 hours.

BWR plywood (Boiling Water Resistance plywood) has better water resistance compared to MR, suitable for applications with high humidity or water exposure. This type is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, or areas with high humidity. BWR is tested by boiling in water for 8 hours.

Then, these test samples will be removed from the water and cooled to room temperature by immersion in cold water. These wet samples, while still in a wet state, will be tested for ‘adhesive shear strength’ and ‘interlayer adhesion’.

BWP plywood (Boiling Water Proof) is the type with the highest water resistance, specially designed for outdoor applications or environments with extremely high humidity and continuously changing humidity. BWP is rigorously tested by boiling in water for 72 hours. The 72-hour boiling period can be a continuous period or a combination of several shorter boiling periods, provided that the test sample is immersed in cold water between these shorter periods. Then, these test samples will be removed from the boiling water and cooled to room temperature by immersing them in cold water, followed by conducting tests similar to MR and BWR samples. This type was initially only included in the IS 710 standard for marine plywood.

According to Dr. C.N. Pandey, Chief Technical Advisor of CenturyPly, the decision to add BWP to IS 303 stems from consumers increasingly preferring 710 BWP grade plywood, partly because they do not distinguish between the IS 710 and 710 BWP designations, as well as due to cost advantages in commercial applications. To address this confusion in the market, BIS decided to add the BWP grade to IS 303, aiming to benefit both consumers and manufacturers.

In terms of composition, all types of plywood are produced from thin veneer layers, glued together at a 90-degree angle. However, they differ in the type of adhesive and the processing method. BWP plywood uses phenol formaldehyde adhesive, which has higher durability compared to urea formaldehyde adhesive used in MR and melamine urea formaldehyde adhesive in BWR. This helps BWP have better bond strength and is particularly suitable for applications in harsh conditions.

By adding BWP grade to the IS 303 standard is expected to enhance the quality and durability of plywood products in the Indian market, improve performance in humid environments, and raise the standards of the wood industry. However, this also poses some cost challenges. BWP-grade plywood can be more expensive to produce compared to regular plywood, leading to higher product costs and affecting consumer affordability, especially for projects with limited budgets.
Therefore, when choosing plywood, consumers need to carefully consider the usage environment and the conditions of water/moisture exposure. MR plywood is suitable for regular indoor furniture, BWR is suitable for high-humidity areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, while BWP is the best choice for outdoor applications or areas frequently exposed to water. Additionally, other factors such as budget, project requirements, aesthetics, and performance expectations also need to be considered to make the most suitable choice.
In order to please our customers need, AMC Vietnam is currently researching the development of a new line of BWP plywood that withstands boiling for 40-60 hours, suitable for producing waterproof furniture and even suitable for outdoor projects, at a more economical cost compared to the conventional 72-hour boiling BWP line. In addition, AMC Vietnam always focuses on enhancing and maintaining stable quality for traditional product lines such as BWP plywood boiled for 72-100 hours according to marine plywood standards. AMC hopes that our products will always meet customer expectations for quality while optimizing costs based on product performance.