Richlite

Welcome to Richlite solid paper composite surfaces. Richlite is an incredibly durable material made from paper, ideal for a variety of uses. Developed over 70 years ago for industrial tooling, Richlite is made to last, enduring the most demanding applications including furniture, cabinetry, cladding, consumer products, signage, retail displays and worktops. The material’s mottled appearance has a honed look, leathery feel and is warm to touch. Like wood, Richlite develops a natural patina over time, burnishing in areas of use and softening in tone. Over the years, Richlite has evolved into a premium surface material used across diverse applications that compliment its characteristics. The colour of the material runs throughout the sheet, and can be repeatedly refinished and repurposed over many years. Nonporous, heat and weather resistant, Richlite can withstand everything from food preparation environments to the harsh outdoors. Made from many layers of high quality decorative paper, Richlite’s mottled appearance comes from the natural variation in the way the fibres lay within the paper. The manufacturing process begins by infusing rolls of paper with a thermosetting resin. The paper is then cut to length and laid up by hand. Every sheet is carefully made, alternating the direction of paper for ultimate balance and stability. The stacks of paper are placed between plates and pressed with uniform heat and pressure. Heating the sheets bonds the paper and resin, before they are slowly cooled to make a stable, solid sheet material.