Super Thin Partition Wall with no utilities and code.

[Curt Bixel]

I am building an area for a first floor washer and dryer in a duplex I am rehabbing.  I could go without a partition wall in one place, but I would like to have one simply to make the washer and dryer a bit less visible.  I know the standard wall is about 4.5 inches thick, and for various reasons, it would be better to have one that is as thin as possible.  

This wall will not be structural in any way, and will have absolutely no utilities.  It will be 8 feet tall, and 42 inches wide.  

I am curious if I can simply use a piece of good quality sanded plywood, an inch thick for this wall?  I would cap the end with a 2 x 3 piece of hardwood with rounded corners so that it wouldn't hurt if you bumped into it.  (Bumping into the corner of a piece of solid plywood can be unpleasant.