Three Main Plywood Production Methods: Wet Heat, Dry Cold, and Dry Heat

Plywood production methods are generally divided into three main types: the wet heat method, the dry cold method, and the dry heat method.
The terms "wet" and "dry" refer to whether the veneers used for gluing are wet or dried, while "cold" and "hot" indicate whether cold pressing or hot pressing is applied during the bonding process.

1. Wet Heat Method

In the wet heat method, veneers with high moisture content are glued directly and then hot-pressed.

Disadvantages of the Wet Heat Method

• Due to the high moisture content of the veneers, the hot-pressing time must be extended, resulting in low production efficiency.

• After hot pressing, the plywood still needs an additional drying process, which increases energy consumption and production cost.

• Plywood produced by this method tends to have high internal stress, which can easily cause warping and deformation.

• The bonding strength is relatively low, and overall product stability is poor.

Because of these limitations, the wet heat method is gradually being phased out in modern plywood manufacturing.

2. Dry Cold Method

The dry cold method uses dried veneers, which are glued and then bonded through cold pressing.

Disadvantages of the Dry Cold Method

• Cold pressing requires a very long pressing time, significantly extending the overall production cycle.

• Production efficiency is low, making it unsuitable for large-scale or fast-paced manufacturing.

• This method is mainly suitable for small-scale enterprises with limited production capacity.

Due to its inefficiency, the dry cold method is rarely used in modern industrial plywood production.

3. Dry Heat Method

The dry heat method is currently the most widely used plywood production process.

In this method, rotary-cut veneers are first dried until their moisture content is controlled at approximately 8–12%. The dried veneers are then coated with adhesive, assembled, and bonded in a hot press.

Production Characteristics of the Dry Heat Method

• High-temperature hot pressing significantly shortens pressing time.

• High productivity and large output, suitable for mass production.

• Strong bonding strength and excellent structural stability.

• Smooth and flat panel surfaces with minimal deformation.

• Wide compatibility with various types of adhesives.

Why the Dry Heat Method Is Preferred for Modern Plywood Production

The dry heat method effectively overcomes the shortcomings of both the wet heat method and the dry cold method.
It offers greater production flexibility, allowing large, medium, and small enterprises to adopt this process efficiently.

Because of its stable quality, high efficiency, and strong market adaptability, the dry heat method has become the most commonly used plywood production method worldwide.

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