The Growth of Flexible PVC Edgebanding

The volume of flexible 3 mm PVC being used in North America continues to grow every year. There are several reasons for this growth:

• The design community has converted many straight-line edges on shelving, desks, store fixtures, and hospitality furniture into contoured, softer edges.
• The curved edges, depending on how tight the radius is, cannot be edge banded with rigid 3 mm and require the flex edge band or a time-consuming and labor-intensive effort to heat up and soften to accommodate 3 mm.
• It is now possible to match the popular textures of HPL, Melamine, and Vinyl panels on flexible 3 mm PVC, which was not always the case. Historically, only standard or matte finish was available.
• Production lead times on flex 3 mm have decreased dramatically and are currently about three calendar weeks from the order date.
• You can source the widest selection of 3 mm flex PVC in stock widths of 15/16 and 1-5/16 x 3mm from PRI. There is only a one roll minimum from our stock program.
• Other widths can be ordered with production minimums as low as 2,500 LF from PRI.
• Many of our large customers have chosen to convert all of their 3 mm banding to the flexible program offered by PRI. Some factors impacting their decision include:

1. 1. In quantities of 20,000 LF or more, PRI can offer flex PVC at price points similar or under the current market pricing for ridged 3 mm.
   2. Converting to only flex PVC enables them to avoid duel inventory of both flex and ridged, which has historically been done because of the added cost of flex banding.

• The same hot melts that they are currently using on their contour and straight-line edge banders are compatible with flex 3 mm PVC.
• Flex PVC colors match up to ridged 3 mm colors, so when needed, they can be used on the same project.
• Color match samples and quotes are available upon request.

Please call PRI for your flex 3 mm needs! We will be happy to send out samples for trials on your edge bander equipment.