Richlite is a paper composite made from layers of FSC-certified recycled paper saturated with thermosetting resin, compressed under high heat and pressure into a dense, non-porous surface. It performs like stone, machines like wood, and is NSF 51 certified food-safe for commercial use. Made by The Richlite Company in Tacoma, WA since 1943.

Yes. Richlite carries NSF 51 certification for food equipment materials — independently tested and approved for direct food contact. It's non-porous, so bacteria can't harbor in the surface the way they hide in wood grain. That's why professional kitchens worldwide use it as their standard prep surface.

Wood looks beautiful but harbors bacteria in grain, warps with moisture, and degrades in high-humidity environments. Richlite is non-porous, far more sanitary, and resists edge chipping better than most hardwoods. When it shows wear, it can be lightly sanded to near-new — something wood cannot do without major refinishing.

HDPE plastic boards score and groove with heavy use — those grooves become bacterial traps. Richlite is far denser, won't score as deeply under normal use, and looks significantly better in professional or residential settings. It's also sustainable — plastic cutting boards are disposable, Richlite lasts decades.

Yes — that's GBC's core capability. We use CNC machining to cut Richlite to any shape, profile, or dimension with precise tolerances. Custom edge profiles, drainage grooves, logo inlays, cutouts, and laser engraving are all available. Commercial countertop projects receive full engineering drawings before fabrication begins.