Everything about Richlite 21 April 2023

Richlite is an American manufacturer (based in Tacoma - Washington) of natural fiber composites since 1943. The company first started its activity with Richlite material for aerospace and industry in the broadest sense. Then it expanded and conquered professional kitchens for the production of food preparation surfaces. Today, this innovative material is used in new applications such as furniture, restaurant tables, worktops, kitchen doors, signage, cladding and also as an ecological material for knife handles! The use of Richlite in so many different fields proves and certifies its quality.

How to summarize Richlite in a few words?

An ecological material for paper-based handles:

• Sustainable

• Machinable

• Resistant

• Aesthetic

Manufacture of environmentally friendly paper-based handle material

Richlite is a high quality ecological handle material made from cellulose fibers (paper layers) and thermosetting resin.

The sheets of paper are stacked by hand, alternating the direction of the paper to achieve the best possible balance and stability. They are then hot-pressed to bind them and obtain a strong material.

This process allows to have a machinable plate (drilling, tapping,...) while remaining dense, homogeneous and without vacuum.

The nuances of the ecological material for handles

All this know-how allows us to create a mottled, matt and marbled aesthetic, with the softness of leather. Each shade brings back sensations and memories with natural and warm colors.

• The ecological material for burgundy (Bourgogne) handles borrows its color from our famous French wines, a direct reminder of our terroir. It can also darken and take on warmer hues over time.

• The brown is a medium brown, which evolves, with time, to a warm and honeyed brown.

• Gray is dark gray at first, then takes on a slight bronze tint.

• Finally, the black ecological handle material is deep, rich, velvety, like jet stone, almost reminiscent of slate. It is by far the most popular color in the line, as it retains its uniformity and hue over time.

Respectful of the environment

Respect for the environment is one of the most important values of the Richlite company, which is committed to constantly improving its sustainable practices, without neglecting the quality of its products. It mobilizes all its resources in this respectful approach, from the choice of raw materials to the manufacturing of its products.

An ecological material for sustainable handles

Richlite is made from paper and resin, which the company sources from sustainable and environmentally friendly sources.

MAKE IT WITH PAPER ®: All Richlite materials are made with FSC-certified paper and/or recycled paper or cardboard.

• FSC® certified wood: sourced from responsibly and sustainably managed forests or plantations.

• Recycled/waste paper and/or cardboard

• Rapidly renewable eucalyptus fiber

The resin comes from the Eco Bind resin technology:

By using a phenolic resin in the manufacturing process, Richlite achieves unmatched quality in the finished product and minimizes its energy consumption, without the addition of urea formaldehyde. In addition to the reduction in energy consumption, the phenolic resin has earned the EcoBind designation, which indicates that it is one of the lowest emitters of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on the market.

Energy recovery from waste

With WE technology (waste-to-energy), up to 84% of the electricity produced by Richlite comes from hydroelectricity.

Reducing its carbon footprint

With the help of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), Richlite began to carefully monitor its emissions in 2005 using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG). It set a five-year goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30%. In 2010, Richlite exceeded that goal with a total CO2 reduction of 32%.

Safe to work with

Richlite also wants to put health first by investing in several areas:

• Free from the hazards listed in the REACH regulation's list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) (European regulation that grants the consumer a "right to know" (Article 33) about the presence of substances of very high concern) at concentrations below 0.1%.

• NSF Certified: NSF guarantees that the products can be easily disinfected and that they are safe for food contact, thus verifying that they comply with public health and safety standards.

• GREENGUARD Certified: ensures that the product meets some of the world's most stringent and comprehensive standards for low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions.

LEED® Sustainable

The manufacturing process for this environmentally friendly handle material also validates a number of LEED® credits for the :

• Material reuse: Richlite materials have a long life and can be reused and worked on for another project.

• Recycled content: the brown product is made from 50% consumer waste

• Regional materials: Products are manufactured in Tacoma, Washington, and their resin suppliers are located within 200 miles.

• Rapidly Renewable Materials: Products are made from rapidly renewable eucalyptus fiber

• Certified wood: FSC® certified

• Low-emitting materials: composite wood and agricultural fiber products. Does not contain urea formaldehyde. GREENGUARD certified (organization that aims to protect human health and improve the quality of life) for children and schools (highest rating)

• Innovation in design

LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the international symbol of excellence in sustainability and leadership in green building. It is a North American rating system for high environmental quality buildings created by the US Green Building Council. This system evaluates energy efficiency, water consumption efficiency, heating efficiency, use of locally sourced materials and reuse of their surplus.

Tips for using this environmentally friendly handle material

• This environmentally friendly handle material can be worked like G10 or carbon fiber. It is a dense, strong material that requires tools with good cutting power. It can be worked very well with abrasive belts, file, scrubber and drill. However, it is recommended to work this material on new or slightly worn tools to avoid any heat build-up, which could burn the Richlite.

• Water exposure is not a problem, however, it is not recommended to expose the material to water for too long.

• Tip for eventual stains : Richlite is generally quite stain resistant. As with most materials, there is a risk of staining. For stubborn stains, try a non-abrasive household cleaner. Avoid using bleach-based products or abrasive cleaners. Plain yogurt can also help absorb stains on light-colored materials.

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