Dow Chemical Canada has announced it would stop manufacturing Woodstalk brand products from its plant in Elie, Manitoba, Canada as of 31 December last year.

In June 2001, Dow BioProducts was created through the acquisition of a majority of the assets of Isobord Enterprises and produced Woodstalk from formaldehyde-free polyurethane resin and harvested wheat straw fiber. It was marketed as inherently low in volatile organic compounds (VOC) and a sustainable alternative to wood-based medium density fiberboard and particle board.

But in November the company said in a statement that the demand for high-quality, low VOC fiberboard was not at a level high enough to generate the returns necessary to sustain the business. Higher operating costs due to increased natural gas and oil prices were also a factor in the decision to cease production, according to Dow.

Source

Construction Manager