Russian Birch Plywood Alternatives

Substitutes for Russian Plywood in the UK

since the plywood sanctions and import ban

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, birch plywood production has been severely disrupted. Russia was the largest manufacturer of birch plywood and also the largest source of birch round-logs for plywood production elsewhere in the world.

Currently it is illegal to import Russian plywood and timber into the EU and UK.

This includes plywood produced in other countries using Russian logs.

More information regarding sanctions and enforcements can be found on our blog HERE

What are Russian Birch Plywood Alternatives?

Alternative Harvest Location

European Birch Plywood / Baltic Birch Plywood

Birch plywood produced in European countries: Latvia, Finland, Poland, Estonia.

We have long-standing relationships with plywood mills and are still importing birch plywood. Contact us with your enquiry.

Volumes being imported cannot meet historical demand, so we have sourced alternatives. See details below:

Species Substitution

European Pine Plywood

We first stocked this panel in 2015 and consider it a very good birch alternative

• Made in Europe with European logs
• EUTR / UKTR compliant
• FSC environmentally rated
• Wall lining, furniture, shop fitting
• Now being successfully used for laser cut die-boards

Comparing Pine to Birch

• Pine is slightly denser / heavier
• Pine is more durable
• Birch is stronger
• Same number of plugs/patches
• Same number of plies per thickness
• Same light colour
• Birch is plain grain / Pine has a figured grain

Glue line

• Pine: exterior class 3 glue that is colourless
• Birch: exterior class 3 glue that is dark brown
• Birch: interior class 1 or 2 glue that is colourless

Beech Face Plywood / Eucalyptus Core

Conceived directly in response to the Russian invasion and subsequent export ban. The specification was carefully considered and written to achieve a high quality product and to provide a versatile and dependable plywood panel.

• Commercially viable timbers
• Non Russian species ensure legally sourced logs
• Reliable production
• Carefully constructed core
• Approx. 1mm thick face veneers (like birch plywood)
• Same number of plies as birch and decorative pine
• Clean face can be used decoratively
• Beech timber is generally clean with few visual defects

Glue line

• Bonding Class 2: clear glue (12mm/15mm/18mm only)
• Bonding Class 3: dark brown glue
  

Poplar Plywood Throughout

Manufactured using the denser "Robusta Poplar" species

• Commercially viable timbers
• Non Russian species ensure legally sourced logs
• Reliable production
• Carefully constructed core
• Approx. 1mm thick face veneers (like birch plywood)
• Same number of plies as birch and decorative pine
• Clean face can be used decoratively
• Poplar timber is very clean with minimal visual defects

Glue line

• Bonding Class 2: clear glue (12mm/15mm/18mm only)
• Bonding Class 3: dark brown glue

Veneered Panels

Birch faced / birch veneered panels are available and represent a good alternative to B grade birch (which is in very short supply)

BB birch can be veneered with A grade birch, or an alternative light coloured veneer like Ash, Maple or Sycamore.