Abstract: Engineered wood products, methods of making the products, laminates including the products, and articles of manufacture which include the engineered products or composites, are disclosed. The products include wood and/or other cellulosic fibers, and can include non-cellulosic fibers, all or part of which can be derived from post-industrial and/or post-consumer materials. The products also include a binding agent, such as a latex dispersion, as well as hydrophobic materials, processing aids, colorants, and the like. The product can be in the form of a sheet, a three dimensional article or a plurality of laminated sheets, and can include one or more additional layers, such as top coat layers, reinforcing layers, cushioning layers, wood veneer layers, and/or additional product layers. The products can be used as flooring, and in construction, cabinetry, and the like.

Abstract: A multi-layer nonwoven composite material includes base layers which impart desired properties. The number of base layers can vary as desired for desired properties in order to tune the resulting multi-layer composite material. In a preferred composite material, three base layers are provided to impart sound deadening, sound dispersion, sound absorption, and sound durability. The base layers are first produced from constituent fibers to form constituent webs. These webs are then combined into a multi-layer substrate. A barrier layer may be applied to the multi-layer substrate to impart additional properties. A face layer may be adhered to form a multi-layer nonwoven composite material. The barrier material imparts fire retardancy water resistance while the face carpet imparts cosmetic and/or tactile qualities. Other materials, such as chemical additives, can be applied to the composite material to achieve desired characteristics.

Abstract: Engineered leather substrates, methods of making the substrates, engineered leather composites including the substrates, and articles of manufacture which include the engineered leather substrates or composites are disclosed. The substrate includes leather, non-leather fibers, a binding agent and one or more additional components such as cushioning agents, softeners, processing aids, and colorants. A composite material can be formed including the substrate and one or more additional layers, such as top coat layers, reinforcing layers, and cushioning layers. The substrate and or the composite can be chemically or mechanically embossed. The leather used to form the engineered leather substrate can be derived from post-industrial and/or post-consumer materials. The non-leather fibers can be organic or inorganic, and the composition can also include inorganic fillers, such as calcium carbonate, and clays.