What is Valchromat? – Find out more about this innovative ‘through core’ colour material

Valchromat is the trade name for an engineered coloured wood made by a manufacturer called Investwood. The fibres are dyed before being pressed, so the colour runs all the way through the material.

Now, don’t get confused — people often call it Valchromat MDF, but it’s not the same as coloured MDF. In fact, it’s not MDF at all. Valchromat builds on MDF’s structure but takes it a step further.

Clear as mud? Let’s break it down properly.

History of Valchromat

It might seem like a new material but this material has actually been around for over 20 years. Born in 1998 from a desire to improve existing wood-based products on the market, Valchromat was the result of a two-year research project by materials specialists. On its release, the product proudly won 1^st prize for Product Introduction and 1^st prize for Technological Innovation during the Approval fair.

Since then, manufacturers have tested the material against various industrial standards and consistently promoted it to architects, designers, and other specifiers. As a result, it’s earned a solid reputation as the leading name in engineered boards.

Valchromat  vs Regular MDF – What’s the Difference?

The main differences between Valchromat and MDF are:

• Is much more resistant to water
• Is much stronger than MDF
• Can be machined in three dimensions
• Has a greater resistance to bending
• Requires less finishing
• Has a lower abrasion of tools

Valchromat Features

The production process colours each individual wood fibre by soaking it in organic dyes. Then, the fibres are bonded with a special resin that gives Valchromat its unique properties. This sets it apart from standard MDF. Visible on its surface are small wood fibres that didn’t absorb the dyes during production, and these give it a unique appearance. Because its main raw material is wood, Valchromat also mimics the satisfying differences of tonality found in wood.

Advantages of Valchromat

• Coloured throughout, which makes it easy to repair damage like scratches.
• Easy to machine yet 30% stronger than MDF.
• Non-toxic, with formaldehyde emissions at the lowest EU limits for wood-based materials
• Greater load resistance, which makes it more resilient to bending.
• Tool friendly and requires little or no sanding.
• Moisture resistant, which means it can be used indoors and out.
• Fire retardant and compliant to EN13501.

Is Valchromat Eco-friendly?

We chose this “through core” material for our new Valchromat Kitchens. which we launched in 2019 because it comes with solid eco credentials. We think you’ll be pleased to hear that too.

It can be recycled, and the Investwood manufacturing plant is licensed for that purpose.

Wherever possible, Investwood produce this material using postindustrial waste from sawmills, wood pallets etc.

The Valchromat production plant holds a chain of custody certificate to supply FSC sourced materials. Learn more about FSC here

Only organic dyes are used in its production.

Its formaldehyde emissions are in the lowest category set by the EU for wood-based materials.

The production of the material aims to reduce environmental impact by manufacturing without waste. Any waste produced by manufacturing is re-used to fuel the steam boiler.

The Valchromat manufacturing plant generates enough biomass to fulfill its energy requirements without burning fossil fuels.

Valchromat Colours

From bold black Valchromat to soft mint green, this coloured MDF offers versatile design options for kitchens, furniture and interiors. Valchromat might come in just 12 colours, but when you use it for kitchen carcasses and pair it with a full spectrum of laminates and veneers, the design possibilities are endless. 

White Pearl WP
White Grey WG
Light Gray LG
Gray CZ
Black BL
Chocolate Brown CB
Yellow YW
Orange OR
Red SC
Blue RB
Mint Green GM
Khaki CQ

Valchromat Finishes

Valchromat can be finished in various ways and will accept products like matte or gloss varnish, and wax or hard wax oil. Below you’ll find some approved finishing partners as recommended by Investwood.

Varnishes

Types of finishes: gloss, semi-gloss, matte.