⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5 | Google reviews for norlab.com.au
The Norlab Phenolic Benchtops offer the highest level of everyday chemical protection that your laboratory requires for general chemistry, biology, and multi-purpose research processes:
• Durability
Our phenolic benchtops are built from high-pressure compressed kraft paper layers saturated in phenolic resin, producing a surface that absorbs impact, resists scratching, and handles the full range of daily laboratory use without cracking or delaminating.
• Customisation
Our phenolic benchtops can be customised in thickness, edge profile, cut-out configuration, and finish to match the specific chemical processes, equipment layout, and aesthetic requirements of your laboratory.
• Compliance
Our phenolic benchtops meet SEFA 3, AS/NZS 2243, and ISO 9001 standards, ensuring every surface delivers the chemical resistance, structural integrity, and safety performance required for certified laboratory use.
Chemical Resistance
Abrasion Resistance
Heat Resistant
Light Reflectance
Surface Easy to Clean
Long Durability
Norlab phenolic benchtops are manufactured through a high-pressure lamination process that bonds multiple kraft paper layers saturated in phenolic resin into a rigid, dense slab. This construction produces a surface with exceptional impact and abrasion resistance, capable of handling daily mechanical stress from equipment movement, tool use, and repeated cleaning cycles without surface degradation. The material performs reliably across general chemistry and biological applications, resisting a broad range of solvents, diluted acids, and alkalis. Every unit is manufactured under strict Australian quality standards and designed to provide a cost-effective, durable work surface that maintains consistent performance across every shift in high-traffic laboratory environments.
 |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reference |
Type C Structure |
Type U Structure |
Type O Structure |
|
Minimum Dimensions: |
600″ x 600″ x 750″ mm |
600″ x 600″ x 750″ mm |
600″ x 600″ x 750″ mm |
|
Maximum Dimensions: |
1800″ x 900″ x 900″ mm |
1800″ x 900″ x 900″ mm |
1800″ x 900″ x 900″ mm |
|
Maximum Load |
200 kg |
350 kg |
430 kg |
• SEFA 3
Performance standard developed by the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) for laboratory work surfaces and laboratory benchtops. Establishes testing and performance requirements for chemical resistance, heat resistance, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, stain resistance, moisture resistance, flame resistance, load performance, and long-term durability. Commonly used to evaluate phenolic resin, epoxy resin, stainless steel, and other specialty laboratory benchtops materials intended for research, pharmaceutical, healthcare, educational, industrial, and government laboratory environments where demanding daily use and chemical exposure are expected.
• AS/NZS 2243
Australian and New Zealand laboratory safety standard that establishes safety requirements for laboratory facilities, equipment, work practices, and risk management procedures. Provides guidance for laboratories handling hazardous chemicals, biological materials, and potentially dangerous processes, including the selection of durable, chemically resistant, and easily cleanable laboratory benchtops. Widely referenced across research institutions, universities, healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical laboratories, industrial testing centres, and educational laboratories throughout Australia and New Zealand to support safe laboratory design, operation, and maintenance.
• ISO 9001
International quality management standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Establishes requirements for a documented Quality Management System (QMS) focused on consistent manufacturing processes, quality control, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and product traceability. For phenolic benchtops, ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that manufacturing operations follow recognised quality management practices designed to ensure consistent product performance, material quality, production reliability, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements across laboratory, healthcare, educational, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
• We installed Norlab’s phenolic benchtops, and the difference has been impressive. The surfaces are tough, easy to clean, and have held up perfectly against daily chemical use. The whole process felt very professional from start to finish. 
• We were looking for a cost-effective but reliable laboratory surface for our testing facility in Australia. Norlab’s phenolic benchtops look great and perform even better. Installation was smooth, and the quality exceeded our expectations.
Phenolic benchtops handles occasional contact with most diluted acids (HCl, H₂SO₄ <10%), bases, and common solvents like ethanol and isopropanol just fine. The problem shows up with prolonged exposure: acetone, xylene, or concentrated acids left sitting on the surface for extended periods can soften and permanently stain it. Phenolic is the right choice when aggressive chemicals are the exception, not the daily routine. If you’re working with concentrated acids or solvents on a regular basis, epoxy is the better fit.
Phenolic benchtops can handle up to around 135°C for brief contact, but sustained use above 100°C will cause discolouration and micro-cracking on the surface. A hot plate running at 150°C sitting directly on it for hours will leave a permanent mark. Best practice is to keep any heat source at least 50 mm above the surface using a ring stand or wire gauze, or place a ceramic fibre pad underneath. For laboratories with a lot of heating equipment, epoxy or ceramic are better choices.
With regular use and proper cleaning, expect 15 to 25 years. The real signs that it’s time to replace are: deep cracks that trap dirt and can’t be cleaned out, delamination along edges or around cut-outs, and areas where water is absorbed instead of beading up — that means the surface integrity is gone. Light discolouration and surface scuffs are not replacement criteria; those can be addressed with professional sanding and resealing.
Light surface scratches can be sanded down and resealed with black epoxy or phenolic finish resin. A crack that goes all the way through, or a delaminated section, can’t be repaired with any result that looks acceptable — it’ll always be visible. In those cases, if the damage is localised, you can replace just that section as long as the layout allows for joints. Damage in the middle of a continuous run usually means replacing the full piece.
Phenolic is low maintenance but not zero maintenance. The surface itself doesn’t need resealing. What does need attention every 3 to 5 years are the perimeter joints — the silicone or polyurethane sealant where the top meets walls, sinks, or other surfaces. That sealant breaks down over time, and once it fails, moisture gets in under the top and attacks the core from the edges. That’s the most common cause of early failure in phenolic tops: not the surface itself, but neglected joints.
Your lab’s work surface solved — chemically resistant, precision-cut, and matched to every process your team runs daily.
Tell us what chemicals and processes your bench needs to handle and we’ll recommend the right material, thickness, and cutout configuration — at no cost, no obligation.
Expert guidance included — free 3D design
Our lab safety specialists review your project personally.
Fully custom — material, thickness, edge, cutouts & finish
Chemical resistant phenolic benchtops matched to your workflow.
Australian owned & operated — nationwide delivery
Manufactured and supported from Victoria.
