In the world of interior design and construction, sustainability has moved beyond being just a buzzword; it’s now an essential consideration. Businesses and homeowners alike are increasingly prioritising materials and products that look stunning while minimising environmental impact. Recognising this growing demand, Ultima and Saveboard have collaborated to create a remarkable joinery solution—Better Joinery, a unique blend of sustainability, durability, and stylish design.
This partnership represents an innovative step forward, combining Ultima’s premium decorative laminate finishes with Saveboard’s sustainable composite panels, resulting in a product that excels in both performance and eco-consciousness.
Introducing SaveBoard’s Better Joinery
Better Joinery, a sub-brand developed by Saveboard, revolutionises traditional joinery materials by utilising engineered composite panels composed of up to 98% upcycled materials. At its core, the Better Joinery substrate combines shredded and compressed composite packaging, wood fibre, and soft plastics—transforming everyday waste materials into something exceptional.
A standout feature of the Better Joinery range is its high plastic content (up to 40% in specific variations), designed specifically to enhance moisture resistance and overall durability. This makes Better Joinery ideal for demanding applications, offering a hard-wearing yet fully recyclable alternative to conventional plywood, MDF, or particleboard.
Ultima and Saveboard: A Perfect Collaboration
The synergy between Ultima and Saveboard is driven by a shared commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation in design. Through this partnership, Ultima’s decorative surfaces—specifically the renowned AFX and ModernEdge laminate ranges—are seamlessly pressed onto Saveboard substrates, producing the innovative BetterJoinery panels.
This powerful combination provides architects, designers, and end-users with a genuinely circular laminate solution. By pairing Ultima’s sophisticated decorative laminates with Saveboard’s eco-friendly composite panels, customers benefit from a premium aesthetic without compromising sustainability.
Pressing decorative HPL surfaces onto the eco-friendly Saveboard substrate is a game changer. It transforms the Saveboard base into a more visually appealing option, adding the warmth and texture of premium finishes like marble patterns, natural woodgrains, and anti-fingerprint surfaces. Any Ultima Laminate from our ModernEdge and AFX ranges can become a stunning new surface, and with matching edgetape, designers can create their own custom eco-cabinets and fit-outs with BetterJoinery.
BetterJoinery embodies a practical and stylish approach to sustainability, delivering substantial environmental benefits alongside superior performance. It is also New Zealand’s first truly circular laminate product, setting a new standard for eco-conscious joinery solutions.
Versatile Applications for Homes and Businesses
Better Joinery panels offer exceptional versatility, proving suitable for both residential and commercial environments. With a wide range of thicknesses available—12mm, 18mm, 24mm, and even 36mm—these panels cater to diverse project needs.
In residential interiors, Better Joinery can be used extensively for kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanities, wardrobes, and custom furniture. Its natural water-resistant properties and durability make it particularly suitable for kitchen and bathroom applications, providing homeowners with peace of mind alongside a beautiful finish.
For commercial and industrial applications, Better Joinery shines in environments where sustainability, durability, and aesthetic appeal must seamlessly coexist. It is perfectly suited for furniture such as desks, cubicles, storage solutions, changing rooms, education facilities, pre-schools, and various other utility-focused environments. With CNC-friendly construction, Better Joinery panels can be precisely cut and customised to meet detailed design specifications, enhancing both productivity and creative potential.
Its surface finish—whether Ultima’s decorative laminate or Saveboard’s exposed natural surface—is specifically engineered for easy maintenance, ensuring long-lasting beauty and minimal cleaning effort.
Why Sustainable Substrates Matter
The construction industry significantly impacts the environment, particularly through the generation of waste and reliance on non-renewable resources. Every year, thousands of tonnes of construction waste, including traditional joinery materials like plywood and particleboard, end up in landfills across New Zealand.
Choosing sustainable substrates like Better Joinery addresses this environmental challenge directly. By utilising upcycled materials, Saveboard significantly reduces the amount of waste heading into landfills. Each Better Joinery panel is a statement against wasteful consumption, actively supporting a circular economy by repurposing materials otherwise destined for disposal.
Importantly, no water, glues, or resins are required during the manufacture of Saveboard substrates. This production method significantly reduces environmental impact, lowering emissions and conserving resources compared to conventional manufacturing methods.
When Ultima’s laminates are combined with Saveboard’s substrates, the resulting product not only boasts remarkable sustainability but also outstanding durability and style. The collaboration between Ultima and Saveboard, therefore, goes beyond merely creating attractive interiors—it supports the planet’s future by enabling responsible choices today.
Proven Performance, Trusted Reliability
Saveboard has established its credibility through more than 15 years of proven performance internationally, including extensive real-world testing on New Zealand projects. Better Joinery panels have consistently demonstrated exceptional suitability for environments traditionally dominated by plywood, MDF, or chipboard. Projects involving demanding conditions, such as commercial kitchens, educational spaces, changing rooms, and high-traffic areas, benefit immensely from the superior performance and robust sustainability credentials offered by Better Joinery.
Three Simple Choices, One Powerful Decision
Customers exploring Better Joinery benefit from three core advantages:
- Planet-First Approach: Utilising recycled and recyclable materials, Better Joinery actively supports environmental sustainability.
- High-Performance Materials: Offering moisture resistance, CNC compatibility, and proven durability, Better Joinery panels outperform traditional alternatives in many aspects.
- Competitively Priced: Combining eco-consciousness with affordability ensures customers don’t have to choose between sustainability and economic practicality.
Discover Better Joinery Today
Embracing Better Joinery by Ultima and Saveboard is a practical decision, blending the essential aspects of performance, aesthetics, and sustainability. It’s a choice that aligns perfectly with contemporary demands, catering to discerning customers who desire premium materials with minimal environmental impact.
To learn more about Better Joinery and how this innovative partnership between Ultima and Saveboard could enhance your next project, visit Saveboard’s Better Joinery page. Explore comprehensive downloadable design guides, data sheets, and discover the full compatibility of Ultima’s laminate range with Saveboard substrates.
Together, Ultima and Saveboard offer more than just a stylish joinery solution—they represent a genuine opportunity to build responsibly, beautifully, and sustainably, paving the way for an eco-conscious future.
