With the growing popularity of HDHMR boards, unfortunately there has also been an emergence of counterfeit or sub-par boards being passed off as HDHMR by unscrupulous sellers. These fake products may not offer the same density or moisture resistance, potentially leading to project failures. Hence, it’s crucial to verify that the HDHMR boards you purchase are genuine and meet the specifications promised. Below are the key steps and tips to identify authentic HDHMR boards, along with the security measures top manufacturers have put in place.
1. Check for Brand Identification on the Board
Reputable HDHMR board manufacturers typically mark their boards in some way: - Edge Branding/Stamp: Many brands print or emboss their name, logo, or code on the edges or the surface protective overlay of the board. For example, Century and Greenpanel often have branding on the edges of their boards (like “Century HDMR” printed repeatedly on the side). - Sticker or Label: Look for a label on the board that indicates the brand, grade (HDHMR/HDF-HMR), manufacturing batch, etc. Genuine boards will usually have such labeling from the factory.
If a board is sold to you as an Action Tesa or Century product but has no branding or mis-spelled branding, that’s a red flag. Top brands are proud of their product and unlikely to ship them unmarked.
2. Security Sticker and QR Code Verification
Action Tesa has set a high standard in authenticity verification: - They introduced a Holistic Security Sticker with a QR code on every sheet of their HDHMR and Boilo boards. This tamper-proof sticker is unique for each board. - How to use it: Scan the QR code using a smartphone – Action Tesa directs users to use their “SureAssure” app or even a generic QR scanner. The scan will pull up details from Action Tesa’s database confirming if that board’s code is authentic and provide product info. If the QR code is fake or duplicated, it won’t verify. - Visual cues: The sticker has holographic elements and is tamper-evident. If someone tried to peel it off and stick on another board, it shows. - Why it matters: There have been instances of unauthorized sellers copying Action Tesa’s name on inferior products. This sticker system was launched to keep fraudsters away. As a buyer, always request to see this sticker on an Action Tesa board. Never “forget to scan the QR code sticker” when buying Action Tesa HDHMR, as the company itself advises on social media.
Other manufacturers may follow suit with similar verification: - Greenply/Greenpanel often include a unique serial and sometimes QR on bulk packs and is working on better traceability. - Century provides a Certificate of Authenticity on bulk orders and has branding on the board. They haven’t publicly rolled out QR on each sheet yet, but keep an eye on their updates.
Bottom line: If you buy Action Tesa, use the QR code check. For others, rely on clear brand markings and purchase from authorized channels.
3. Purchase from Authorized Dealers
One of the simplest ways: source HDHMR boards from authorized distributors or dealers of the brand. Brands usually list their authorized partners on their website or through customer service.
· Authorized dealers are likely to give you genuine material, as they get direct supply. For instance, Action Tesa’s MD, Mr. Ajay Aggarwal, explicitly cautioned customers to buy from authorized dealers and “ask for the holistic security stickers” to avoid duplicates.
· If a local shop is offering a price way below market and is not known to be an authorized stockist, be cautious. It could be gray market or worse, not actually the brand advertised.
Ask the dealer: “Are you an authorized dealer for this brand’s HDHMR?” and if possible, get a purchase receipt that clearly states the brand and grade. This serves as proof if any issues arise.
4. Physical Inspection and Quality Indicators
While it’s hard to judge a board’s internals by eye, some physical checks can hint at authenticity: - Uniform Color and Texture: Genuine HDHMR boards often have a uniform core color (usually medium brown, sometimes with a greenish tint if moisture-resistant chemicals are present) and a smooth fine-fiber texture. If you see one with very coarse particles or inconsistent color layers (like it’s a sandwich of different materials), it might not be true HDHMR. - Density/Weight: HDHMR is heavy. For example, a standard 18mm 8x4 HDHMR board can weigh around 50-55 kg. If a board feels unusually light for its size, it may be a lower density product being mis-sold. (However, don’t rely solely on this unless you have a scale; just a heuristic – genuine HDHMR will feel noticeably heavier than blockboard or low-density plywood). - Surface Hardness: Try driving a screw into a small corner (if dealer permits or shows a sample). HDHMR should offer serious resistance and the screw threads should bite tightly. If it’s too easy (like through soft particle board) or crumbles, that’s suspect. Also tap the board – HDHMR has a solid, non-hollow sound due to uniform density. - Moisture Test (if possible): One trick – take a small cut piece of the board and submerge an edge in water for an hour, see if it swells significantly. Genuine HDHMR is moisture resistant and will not swell much (a very minor swelling might occur, but not like normal MDF). This is not always practical at point of purchase, but some users do this at home to double-check what they got.
5. Documentation and Certification
Ask for any test reports or specs sheet that come with the product. Brands like Century and Green often have an accompanying spec sheet showing the properties (density, internal bond, moisture resistance, emissions grade). If the dealer can supply those or at least the product code, it’s a good sign. - E1/E0 Emission Labels: Many genuine boards will be rated E1 or E0 for formaldehyde emissions (a mark of quality). If the packaging or board literature shows that, it indicates it’s from a legitimate manufacturer adhering to standards. Fakes likely won’t bother with such details. - IS Standards: In India, some boards may mention compliance with IS standards (though HDHMR is relatively new and standards like IS:12406 apply to plain MDF/HDF). Still, any standard compliance indicated is better than none.
6. Dealer Ethics – Red Flags
Dealers sometimes might push you a product saying “It’s just like Action Tesa but cheaper.” They may not outright call it Action Tesa but imply it’s equivalent. Be cautious: - If you want a specific brand, insist on that brand and verify via above methods. - If you’re open to other brands, research if that is a real HDHMR manufacturer. There are emerging smaller brands making HMR boards, but check their credibility. - Unbelievable deals: If someone offers HDHMR at half the going rate, that's a red flag. It may be normal MDF being sold as HDHMR, or rejected factory seconds.
7. Holistic Security Measures Recap (Action Tesa example):
Action Tesa’s program can serve as a model for what to look for: - Tamper-proof unique sticker – present and intact on each board. - Scan verification – do it on the spot if you can (the dealer shouldn’t mind; if they do, that’s suspicious). - Company communication – Action Tesa publicly announced these measures to combat fakes, so genuine dealers will be aware and encourage verification.
Century Ply had also launched an app “CenturyPromise” for their plywood where a customer could scratch a code and verify authenticity via SMS/app. For HDHMR, similar tech could roll out. Always stay updated via brand websites for any new verification tool.
In summary, identifying genuine HDHMR boards involves checking for proper branding and security features, buying through trusted channels, and using a bit of common sense skepticism towards deals that seem too good or products that lack usual markings. By following this guide, dealers and buyers can ensure they get the real high-quality HDHMR that they expect, and not fall victim to inferior knock-offs. Remember, a genuine HDHMR board will perform as advertised – moisture resistant, strong, durable – whereas a fake will likely let you down. It’s worth the due diligence upfront for peace of mind and project success.
Disclaimer: This article is generated using AI-assisted research and is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, readers are advised to verify all technical, pricing, and brand-specific details with official sources. hdhmr.in is not liable for any decisions made based on this content.