Abstract: A decorative laminate includes a decorative layer and a core layer. The decorative layer is composed of a resin impregnated decorative sheet. The core layer is composed of at least one resin impregnated sheet of core paper. The core paper is impregnated with a resin composed of phenol formaldehyde resin and wood molasses. In this manner, a substantial portion of the resin used to impregnate the core paper is replaced with wood molasses, which results in a reduction of the cost of manufacturing the decorative laminate. The decorative laminate is manufactured by preparing a resin impregnated decorative sheet and preparing at least one resin impregnated core sheet by impregnating a core sheet with a resin composition composed of phenol formaldehyde resin and wood molasses. The decorative sheet and the core sheet are then layered to form a laminate lay-up that is heated and pressed to consolidate and cure the laminate.

Abstract: A decorative laminate includes a decorative layer and a core layer. The decorative layer is composed of a resin impregnated decorative sheet. The core layer is composed of at least one resin impregnated sheet of core paper. The core paper is impregnated with a resin composed of phenol formaldehyde resin and wood molasses. In this manner, a substantial portion of the resin used to impregnate the core paper is replaced with wood molasses, which results in a reduction of the cost of manufacturing the decorative laminate. The decorative laminate is manufactured by preparing a resin impregnated decorative sheet and preparing at least one resin impregnated core sheet by impregnating a core sheet with a resin composition composed of phenol formaldehyde resin and wood molasses. The decorative sheet and the core sheet are then layered to form a laminate lay-up that is heated and pressed to consolidate and cure the laminate.