Frequently Asked Questions

500 m² per color for standard stocked colors. For fully custom colors, the MOQ is 1,000 m² because we need to schedule a dedicated coil run.

If you are sampling or evaluating for a future project, we can ship a smaller A4 sample set (3–5 panels, free of charge) by courier.

Standard stocked colors ship in 7 days from deposit. Custom colors are typically 15 days after color approval. Full container orders with custom color + PE core + A2 upgrade can run 18–25 days.

All lead times are based on FOB Shanghai. Add sea transit of 18–35 days depending on destination port.

Yes. We offer A4-size sample sets (300 × 200 mm) covering our full product range — PVDF, PE, FR A2, FR B1, PE Coated, wooden finish, and brushed. Sample cost is USD 50 per set, refundable against a future order above 1,000 m².

We accept orders from 500 m² upwards. If your project is below 500 m², we can usually fill it from a stocking batch at our warehouse — please ask. We have done many "small but important" jobs for architects and shopfitters.

Both are "fire-rated" classifications, but the test methods and performance levels are very different.

• Class A2 (EN 13501-1 / GB 8624-2012): Practically non-combustible. The core is a mineral-based material (often aluminum hydroxide). In a fire, it does not burn, does not release toxic gases, and does not produce flaming droplets. Required for high-rise facades in many countries.
• Class B1 (GB 8624-2012): Flame-retardant. The core is a low-smoke, fire-resistant polyethylene. It will not easily ignite, and flame spread is slow. Required for mid-rise commercial projects where A2 is not specified.

For reference, our standard PE-core ACP (without any FR upgrade) is rated as "B2 — normal flammable" and is suitable for interior decoration only.

It depends on your local building code and the building's height/use. The general pattern is:

• High-rise residential or commercial (above ~24m in most markets): A2
• Mid-rise commercial and public buildings: A2 or B1 depending on local code
• Low-rise commercial or interior partitions: Standard PE-core is usually acceptable

Send us your project's location, building height and the local code reference — we'll specify the right panel and provide test certificates.

Yes. We have current EN 13501-1 (A2-s1, d0) reports from an EU-notified body, GB 8624-2012 (A2 / B1) reports from the China National Center for Building Materials Testing, and ASTM E84 (Class A) reports for the North American market. Certificates and recent test data are available on request.

We have 36 standard colors held in stock for fast delivery, and a broader library of 800+ colors developed over 20 years of production. Most of the 36 standard colors are matched to common RAL codes.

Beyond that, we can match any physical sample (a piece of wood, a fabric, a competitor's panel) or any Pantone / RAL reference. Custom color MOQ is 1,000 m².

These are four different resin systems used in ACP coating. The choice drives warranty length, weatherability and cost:

• PVDF (Kynar 500-based): The industry standard for exterior. 15–20 year warranty. Excellent color stability and chalk resistance. The right choice for 90% of exterior facades.
• FEVE (Lumiflon-based): Premium exterior. 25+ year warranty. Better gloss retention than PVDF and wider formulation flexibility for special effects.
• HDPE (High-density polyester): Matte texture, interior use. 10-year warranty. Good for retail and feature walls.
• PE (Polyester): Indoor / short-term outdoor. 5–10 year warranty. Most cost-effective. Standard for interior decoration and signage.

We control color to ΔE ≤ 1.0 under D65 light source for our standard colors — well below the visible threshold for most human observers. For custom color matching, the target ΔE is ≤ 0.8, measured with a Konica Minolta spectrophotometer. A signed color sample is sent for approval before production starts.

Yes. Send us a physical sample (at least 50 × 50 mm), a RAL reference, a Pantone code, or a previous batch reference. Our lab will produce a lab-dip within 5 days for your approval.

For 1220 × 2440 × 4 mm × 0.5 mm panels (the most common size), a 20ft container holds approximately 3,500 m² (~1,200 panels) in nude packing, or ~3,300 m² (~1,120 panels) in wooden-pallet packing. A 40ft HQ container holds about 8,500 m².

Exact loading depends on panel thickness, length, and whether wooden crates are requested.

Two standard options:

• Nude packing (裸装): Panels stacked on a wooden pallet, wrapped in protective film, secured with steel strapping. The most economical option — preferred for full-container shipments to the same destination.
• Wooden-pallet packing (木托精装): Each panel edge protected with cardboard corner, pallet wrapped, additional protection for long-term storage or break-bulk orders. Adds ~3% to cost.

Custom crating for LCL shipments is also available — please ask.

Most common: FOB Shanghai / Ningbo, CIF (named port), CFR, and EXW (our factory in Jiangyin). We have regular shipments to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa — so we usually have competitive freight rates to share.

Yes, but LCL is only economical for orders above 200 m². Below that, air freight sample service is usually faster and not much more expensive. We can also arrange LCL to most major ports through our forwarder partners.

Two main systems are used with our panels:

• 离缝系统 (Gapped System): Panels are separated by visible joints filled with aluminum or PVC profiles. The joint can be color-matched. Best for large facades and projects where the architect wants the joint pattern to be a design feature. Easy to replace single panels.
• 密拼系统 (Seamless / Tongue-and-groove): Panels lock together with a concealed clip, producing a near-seamless surface. Best for high-end interiors and feature walls. Requires precise fabrication.

We supply matching aluminum profiles and can recommend installers in your region. Detailed installation drawings are sent with every order.

Yes. ACP is one of the most fabricable cladding materials available:

• Minimum bending radius: 30 cm for 4mm panel (cold bending)
• Routing & folding: Standard CNC routing allows 3D shapes including double-curved and faceted surfaces
• Punching & cutting: Standard wood-working tools work — no special blades needed

For complex shapes, we can pre-fabricate panels in our factory per your CAD drawings.

For a small interior feature wall — no, a competent carpenter can install ACP with basic guidance. For a full exterior facade — yes, an experienced ACP installer is essential. We can provide installation manuals and connect you with certified installers in your market.

Standard warranty by coating type:

• PVDF exterior: 15–20 years
• FEVE exterior: 25+ years
• PE interior: 10 years
• HDPE interior: 10 years

Warranty covers abnormal fading, chalking, peeling and delamination under normal use. Project-specific warranty terms are negotiable for orders above 5,000 m².

ALUCOVERBOND is certified to:

• ISO 9001 — Quality management system
• ISO 14001 — Environmental management system
• CE marking — European conformity (EN 13501-1 fire)
• SGS-tested — Annual third-party verification
• GB 8624-2012 — China fire rating (A2 and B1)

For new customers: 30% T/T deposit, 70% balance against copy of B/L. For established accounts (after 3 successful orders), we can discuss 30/70 with longer payment terms, L/C at sight, or O/A terms for qualified buyers.

Document damage on the B/L at the time of receipt (this is critical for the claim to be valid), take photos, and notify us within 7 days. We will either ship replacement panels with your next order or arrange a credit note. For shipments with our nominated forwarder, we also carry transport insurance — we file the claim on your behalf.