Current applications for WPCs are largely in finished products such as decking, cladding and window frames. In the USA, the market for WPC products has grown at a rate of 100% per year for the last 5 years and this is increasing as new applications are found for the materials. A particular growth area is in structural engineering applications that use the physical properties of WPC to the limits.

WPCs can be used for products traditionally manufactured from timber and PVC-U and typical applications are:

Door frames and components

Window frames and components

Exterior vertical and horizontal cladding

Fascias, sofits and barge boards

Decking, docks and railings

Dado rails ÿSkirting boards

Stairs and hand rails

Coving ÿBalustrades

Work tops ÿPlanking and pre-finished floorboards

Shelving

Cable trunking

Fencing and fence posts.

Garden furniture and architecture.

Kitchen cabinets and worktops

Office furniture

Sound proofing cladding

WPCs represent a new era of materials development that combines the old with the new to deliver an exciting new option for the end user. The range of materials being developed is wide and exciting and progress is rapid. The new WPC materials cover a wide range of polymer matrix types as well as a wide range of fillers and stiffeners.

WPC materials reduce costs, increase production rates and offer a wide range of benefits to the end user.

One of the virtuous areas is that the more wood flour that is added, the lower the price of the raw material and also the higher the stiffness of the raw material. Lowering the cost can actually improve the performance