Featured Story
Paneltech International
Located in Hoquiam, Washington, Paneltech was founded in early 1996 to serve the forest products’ markets, using competencies acquired from over 80 years of international experience by the management and founders. Today, Paneltech continues to be a progressive and diversified firm that uses innovative approaches to commercial and construction applications, as well as a fleet of modern, maximum capacity log railcars.
Until 2005, Paneltech’s primary focus was on plywood overlays and, to a lesser extent, forest products consulting and rail transportation. Since then, Paneltech has seen value in offering sustainable composite products. The company’s PaperStone™ product line is an exceptional example of this innovate approach.
Under the direction of Paneltech’s internationally renowned chemist, Krishan Sudan, the company created its own unique "green" resins to be used in its PaperStone countertops product line. The proprietary, water-based resins rely upon no petroleum-derived raw materials. Instead, the innovative approach utilizes natural raw materials, including cashew nut shell liquid and other by-products from suppliers such as Imperium Renewables a biodiesel plant located across the street from Paneltech.
PaperStone products have been certified formaldehyde-free and organic pigments color the innovative composites. In addition to Paneltech green resins, PaperStone is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper produced by another Hoquiam neighbor, Grays Harbor Paper. PaperStone is certified by the Smartwood program of the Rainforest Alliance to meet Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.
PaperStone is a durable, sustainable, cost-effective product, and is recommended for a wide variety of interior horizontal applications, including counters for kitchens, window sills, and door thresholds. The product can also be used for structural applications, landscape components, furniture, table tops and other manufactured products.
Social Responsibilty
Perhaps most importantly, PaperStone and Paneltech’s other products are consistent with the mission of the 12 year old company—to be a positive economic force and a socially responsible employer in the economically-depressed, rural community where the founders of the company grew up and have now choose to live again.
Future Growth
Paneltech occupies 65,000 square feet of space in three Port of Grays Harbor buildings, and the company is looking to substantially expand to accommodate a new saturating line. By years-end, a new LEED Gold certified office building is scheduled for construction adjacent to the company’s existing facilities. Paneltech currently employs more than 50 people in family-wage jobs and employment continues to grow with expanded output.
To learn more about Paneltech and its PaperStone products, please visit: