Understanding Valchromat

Valchromat is a unique wood fibre panel made only in Portugal with attributes and advantages exclusive to Valchromat.

Although many people in Australia will be learning about Valchromat for the first time, it has been around for over 25 years. Engineered in 1998, after a two-year extensive research project, it was developed as a wood-based product with exemplary qualities that surpassed anything else available in the market. Following its initial creation, it has undergone numerous industrial tests which enable it consistently out perform any alternates.

Valchromat is created from softwood that is shredded, washed to remove impurities, run through a powerful magnet to draw out 99% of metal contamination, and then shredded again more finely.

All of the fibres are then coloured individually, infused with organic dyes that penetrate and saturate the individual fibres. These fibres then undergo a bonding process using the specifically developed exclusive resin. Valchromat, in its sheet form, is achieved by a layer of the resin/fibre material being pressed at a specific temperature. This press stage ensures Valchromat has a better density profile to create more stability and better finish properties.

So what are the exclusive attributes and advantages of Valchromat?

Moisture Resistance

Valchromat has increased resistance to bending, abrasion and sudden temperature variations.

Structural Integrity

30% stronger than any close alternate.

Non-Toxic

Below the acceptable standards set by the world health organisation for VOC and formaldehyde emissions, unlike the closest alternates.

Homogeneous Colour

Sports a consistent colour the whole way through thanks to the individually dyed fibres.

High Density

Greater load-bearing ability than close competitors.

Resistant to Fading

Daylight and artificial UV resistance when exposed to UV rays.

Fire Safety

Flame retard properties as the panels are difficult to ignite and have properties that retard the “spread of flame”.

Valchromat enjoys a beautifully natural appearance from the visible small wood fibres that can be seen throughout it. These fibres retain the natural colourings of the softwoods in the dying process to appear like ‘flecks’ throughout the material. This adds a captivating dynamic to the aesthetic of Valchromat.

Valchromat panels are manufactured using waste wood such as fallen branches and post-industrial waste from sawmills.

In using waste wood Valchromat helps to sustain forests and minimise carbon emissions from forestation. Amazingly, Valchromat’s manufacturing plant generates enough biomass to sustain its thermal energy requirements without burning fossil fuels. Fully recyclable, Valchromat is a truly holistic material that considers a full environmental lifecycle.

As a team of local designers, we are always more than happy to share our knowledge and provide insight to how different materials and finishes perform.

We welcome you to visit us in one of our studio showrooms to ask questions. If you live outside Melbourne or Adelaide, we often help clients interstate via phone or email and can easily coordinate a Facetime or zoom call.

Knowledge is power they say and we’re happy to share our decades of experience.

Melbourne showroom

259 Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121

Adelaide showroom

442 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000