Pine Plywood vs Combiply: Which Is Right for You?

Brazilian plywood is available in two core compositions: pure pine and Combiply. Many importers don't realise the distinction exists until they're comparing quotes and see different prices for what appears to be the same grade. This article explains the difference and when each is appropriate.

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Pure Pine Plywood

All veneers — face, back, and all core plies — are Pinus elliottii or Pinus taeda.

Characteristics:

• Consistent pine grain throughout
• Lower density than eucalyptus: ~500–550 kg/m³
• Slightly lighter per sheet
• Consistent resin absorption for painting and coating
• Standard for structural applications where pine specification is required
• More uniform appearance on edge profiles

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Combiply Plywood (Pine + Eucalyptus Core)

Face and back veneers are pine (Pinus elliottii); core plies are eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.).

Characteristics:

• Pine appearance on both faces — visually identical to pure pine
• Eucalyptus core is denser and harder: ~650–700 kg/m³
• Slightly heavier per sheet (~10–15% more than pure pine at same thickness)
• Better screw-holding in core due to denser eucalyptus
• Flatter under humidity variation (denser core resists warping)
• Typically 5–10% lower FOB price than equivalent pure pine grade

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Comparison

Property	Pure Pine	Combiply
Face appearance	Pine	Pine (identical)
Core species	Pinus spp.	Eucalyptus spp.
Density (18mm)	~500–550 kg/m³	~650–700 kg/m³
Weight (18mm, 1220×2440mm)	~11 kg	~13 kg
Screw-holding (core)	Good	Very good
Flatness/stability	Good	Slightly better
FOB price	Standard	~5–10% lower
Structural certification	Yes	Yes

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Need both pure pine and Combiply prices for comparison? We'll quote both in the same proforma so you can decide. Request a quote →

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When to choose pure pine

• Customer specifies "pine plywood" explicitly (some structural codes)
• Applications where weight matters (flat-pack furniture, packaging)
• Markets where eucalyptus core is not accepted under local standards
• Consistent resin absorption required for coating

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When Combiply is the better choice

• Cost optimisation is a priority
• Applications where screw-holding in core matters (cabinet carcasses, shelving)
• Markets where appearance is the main criterion (the face looks identical)
• Reduced warping risk in humid environments

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What EBP supplies

Both pure pine and Combiply are available across all standard grades: CDX, A/B, B/B, B/C, A/C. Both are available with FSC certification and E1 formaldehyde class. Film-faced grades are available in pure pine; Combiply film-faced on request.

Confirm your preference at time of inquiry — many buyers specify one or the other; if unspecified, we will confirm which is in current production before order confirmation.

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Common applications by core type

Application	Recommended core	Reason
Structural sheathing (wall, roof)	Pure pine	Consistent pine specification; weight advantage
Cabinet carcasses	Combiply	Denser core improves screw retention
Flat-pack furniture	Pure pine	Lighter; better for repeated assembly and disassembly
Flooring (tongue-and-groove)	Pure pine	Weight and density specification required
Packaging / industrial crates	Combiply	Cost advantage; appearance irrelevant
Film-faced formwork	Pure pine	Standard specification for formwork plywood
General joinery	Either	Choose based on price at time of order

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Compliance and certifications: both types

Both pure pine and Combiply are produced with:

• WBP phenolic glue bond — exterior durability, waterproof
• E1 formaldehyde class — suitable for EU interior applications
• FSC Chain of Custody — available on request, TC provided per shipment
• CARB P2 / TSCA Title VI — available for US-bound product
• EUDR documentation — IBAMA, geolocation data, due diligence declaration provided for EU shipments

No compliance difference exists between pure pine and Combiply. Both meet the same structural, formaldehyde, and sustainability standards.

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How to specify on your order

When submitting an inquiry or placing an order, specify:

1. Core type: pure pine or Combiply (if no preference, we will confirm which is in current production)
2. Grade: CDX, A/B, B/B, B/C, A/C or film-faced
3. Thickness and sheet size
4. Formaldehyde class: E1 standard; E0.5 on request
5. FSC: required or not required

Pricing is available for both core types if requested — many buyers ask for a dual quote to compare.

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Lead time and availability

Both pure pine and Combiply are available year-round from our southern Brazilian mills (Paraná, Santa Catarina). Production lead time is typically 4–6 weeks. Combined production and transit to Europe: 8–12 weeks; to the US: 6–10 weeks.

Combiply is generally in continuous production and carries a slightly shorter lead time in some seasons due to eucalyptus core availability.

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Identifying Combiply on arrival

Once cut, the difference between pure pine and Combiply is visible at the edge: a Combiply panel shows alternating lighter pine face veneers and darker eucalyptus core plies. A pure pine panel shows consistent lighter pine colour throughout all plies.

If your specification requires pure pine and you are uncertain about a shipment, a cross-section cut confirms the core species immediately. For most applications this distinction is invisible in the finished product — but for applications where edge appearance matters (open shelving, edge-profiled furniture), confirm the core type before ordering.

EBP documents the core composition on all commercial invoices and packing lists — the core species is stated explicitly for every line item. Customs classification is identical for both types (HS 4412.31 for softwood plywood). If your end customer or structural engineer requires a species declaration for compliance purposes, this information is available on the packing documentation for every shipment we issue.

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Related reading

A/B Grade Specifications · B/B Grade Specifications · Film-Face Plywood Specifications · Plywood Grades Explained · WBP vs MR Plywood · Pine Plywood

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