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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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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