HiBoard™

A Safer, Smarter, Sustainable Flatwork Material

HiBoard™ is a next-generation, plant-based electrical insulation material developed specifically for guitar pickup builders who care about tone, safety, and sustainability—without compromise.

Built from renewable hibiscus fiber and engineered for precision CNC, laser, and hand fabrication, HiBoard™ delivers the performance builders expect—without the environmental and health costs of traditional phenolic materials.

The Problem with Traditional Flatwork Materials

For decades, the industry standard for pickup flatwork and insulation has been phenolic paper laminate (commonly known as Forbon). While functional, its manufacturing process and real-world use come with significant downsides—many of which are no longer acceptable in modern workshops.

HiBoard™ vs Forbon

A Material-Level Comparison

Raw Materials & Manufacturing

Forbon (Phenolic Paper Laminate)

  • Made from petroleum-derived phenol and formaldehyde resins
  • Requires high-temperature curing and pressure
  • Uses toxic, non-renewable chemical feedstocks
  • Generates hazardous waste during production
  • High embodied carbon due to petrochemical processing

HiBoard™ (Hibiscus Fiber Composite)

  • Made from renewable plant-based hibiscus fiber
  • Uses low-toxicity binding agents
  • Manufactured at lower temperatures
  • Significantly reduced chemical handling
  • Lower energy input and carbon footprint

Bottom line:
HiBoard™ begins life cleaner, safer, and with dramatically less environmental impact.

Carbon Footprint: From Source to Sheet

Chemical Acquisition & Processing

Forbon

  • Relies on oil and gas extraction
  • Phenol and formaldehyde production are energy-intensive
  • Chemical synthesis releases VOCs and greenhouse gases
  • Transport of hazardous chemicals adds risk and emissions

HiBoard™

  • Hibiscus fiber is rapidly renewable
  • Agricultural sourcing has a far lower carbon intensity
  • No formaldehyde-based resin systems
  • Reduced transportation hazards and regulatory burden

Result:
HiBoard™ has a substantially lower cradle-to-gate carbon footprint than phenolic laminates.

Builder Safety & Workshop Health

Cutting, Sanding, and Machining

Forbon

  • Produces fine phenolic dust
  • Dust may contain formaldehyde residues
  • Requires respirators, extraction, and PPE
  • Long-term exposure linked to respiratory and skin irritation
  • Not laser-safe without advanced filtration

HiBoard™

  • Produces non-toxic, wood-like dust
  • No formaldehyde off-gassing
  • Safer for CNC, laser, and hand fabrication
  • Reduced PPE requirements
  • Significantly improved shop air quality

This matters, especially for:

  • Small shops
  • Home builders
  • Teaching environments
  • Long production runs

Performance Where It Counts

HiBoard™ is not a compromise material.

  • Excellent electrical insulation
  • Stable under winding tension
  • Consistent thickness and density
  • CNC and laser friendly
  • Predictable magnet and pole fit
  • Designed specifically for pickup construction

It behaves like a premium engineered material, not a novelty eco-alternative.

End of Life: Sustainability That Actually Matters

Disposal & Environmental Impact

Forbon

  • Non-biodegradable
  • Not recyclable
  • Classified as industrial waste
  • Persists indefinitely in landfills

HiBoard™

  • Plant-based fiber content
  • Lower environmental toxicity
  • Easier and safer disposal
  • Aligns with modern green manufacturing principles

Sustainability isn’t just about how a product is made—it’s about what happens after it’s used.

Why HiBoard™ Exists

HiBoard™ was developed because builders deserve:

  • Safer materials
  • Cleaner workshops
  • Lower environmental impact
  • Modern alternatives to outdated industrial plastics

All without sacrificing tone, precision, or reliability.

The Future of Pickup Materials

The guitar industry is evolving.
Materials should too.

HiBoard™ represents a shift—away from toxic legacy laminates and toward renewable, responsible engineering designed for the next generation of builders.