What is Black Film Faced Plywood?
Black film faced plywood is the workhorse formwork panel of the construction industry. The black phenolic film is pressed onto both faces of a plywood core, sealing the wood against water and cement paste and giving a smooth release surface that leaves concrete with a uniform, fair-faced finish.
Our black film is 120 g/m² as standard, with 220 g/m² available for heavy-duty cycles. Core options are poplar, hardwood, combi and finger-joint, all bonded with WBP phenolic adhesive. Thicknesses of 12, 15, 18 and 21 mm are held in regular production, which means popular sizes can often ship within two weeks of deposit rather than waiting a full production cycle.
Specifications
Standard production range. Sizes, glue types and grades outside this table can be produced to order — tell us the specification your customer requires.
| Panel size | 1220 × 2440 mm, 915 × 1830 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 12 / 15 / 18 / 21 mm (±0.5 mm) |
| Film | Black phenolic, 120 g/m² standard / 220 g/m² heavy duty |
| Core | Poplar · Hardwood · Combi · Finger-joint |
| Adhesive | WBP phenolic, boil-proof |
| Density | Poplar core ≈ 520 kg/m³ · hardwood ≈ 620 kg/m³ |
| Reuse | 10–15 pours (120 g) · 15–20 pours (220 g) |
| Packing | 20–24 pallets per 40HQ, steel strapped |
Why buyers choose our Black Film Faced Plywood
Held in stock in the fast-moving sizes
18 mm and 15 mm black film in 1220 × 2440 mm are produced continuously. If your project is already on site, ask about stock availability — it is frequently faster than a fresh production run.
Dark film hides cement staining
On multi-pour projects the black surface stays visually clean far longer than brown or raw plywood, which matters when panels are also used for hoarding or exposed temporary works.
Edge sealing available
Water ingress at the cut edge is what kills a formwork panel. We offer painted edge sealing on all four sides so panels survive rain and wash-down between pours.
Consistent film weight
Cheap panels often use 90 g/m² film that looks similar but wears through in three or four pours. We specify 120 g/m² as a floor, not a target.
Applications
High-rise core and shear wall formwork
18 mm and 21 mm panels in modular steel or aluminium frames.
Columns and beams
Cut-to-size panels with sealed edges for repeated column sets.
Foundations and ground beams
15 mm panels where the pour count is lower and cost matters more.
Middle East building projects
Heat- and water-resistant phenolic surface suited to Gulf site conditions.
Southeast Asian infrastructure
Humidity-resistant WBP construction for tropical sites.
Packing & container loading
| Container | Volume | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | ≈ 20 m³ | About 370 panels of 18 mm |
| 40HQ | ≈ 28 m³ | About 520 panels of 18 mm |
| Pallet | 20–24 per 40HQ | Waterproof film wrap, corner protection, steel straps |
All shipments are palletised, steel strapped and wrapped in waterproof film. Loading photographs and a full document set are sent for every container.
Frequently asked questions
Is 18 mm black film faced plywood strong enough for wall formwork?
What does 'WBP' mean on a formwork panel?
How many panels fit in a 40HQ container?
Can the panels be reused after the project?
Need a price for Black Film Faced Plywood?
Tell us the specification and destination port. Formal offer within 24 hours, samples available on request.
