Warerite was a decorative plastic laminate brand produced in Ware, Hertfordshire, as part of the wider Bakelite product range. Invented in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland, Bakelite is widely regarded as the world’s first fully synthetic plastic. Its introduction helped establish the synthetic polymer industry and influenced products ranging from electrical insulation to Art Deco consumer goods.
Origins and Early Uses
Warerite was made by layering paper or fabric impregnated with synthetic resins—typically phenol formaldehyde—and finishing it with a melamine formaldehyde surface, which produced a durable, stain-resistant material. At the Warerite factory in Ware, Hertfordshire, laminate sheets were produced and bonded to substrates such as plywood or particleboard to create practical, affordable surfaces.
Main Markets and Applications
Warerite became especially well known in public transport, where it was used for interior panelling, tables, and partitions in British buses, coaches, and railway carriages. During the post-war plastics boom of the 1950s, Warerite expanded into domestic interiors and was promoted for easy-to-clean kitchen worktops and dining tables.
Warerite in the Wider Laminate Industry
Decorative laminate as a surfacing material was first developed in 1913 by the founders of the Formica Group. Alongside brands such as Arborite, Wilsonart, and Perstorp, Warerite formed part of the post-war building boom. From the 1960s to the 1980s, decorative laminates were widely used in both domestic and commercial interiors.
Modern Development
Although the original Warerite company has changed over time, the brand remains active in the USA. It now focuses on templating, custom-engineered surfaces, and laminate and solid-surface fabrication for residential and commercial fit-outs. Today, the name is chiefly associated with custom laminate and solid-surface products.
