Accsys Tech Regulatory News (AXS)

21 Jan 2009 07:00



21st January 2009 AIM: AXS

NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

Accsys Technologies PLC

Accsys increases North American presence - East Teak to distribute ACCOYA® wood

Accsys Technologies PLC ("Accsys" or "the Company") announces that Titan Wood Limited ("Titan Wood"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, has agreed terms with East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc. ("East Teak") for the distribution of Accoya® wood throughout North America. 

Accoya® wood, a modified wood which is produced only from source-certified sustainable resources, offers outstanding durability, dimensional stability, and reliability. It is non-toxic and produced using an environmentally responsible process. 

East Teak manufactures a wide range of top-quality hardwood products and offers upscale custom flooring, decking, mouldings, cladding, and architecturally designed wood components on a just-in-time basis. This creates dramatic efficiencies for customers, while transforming the look of architectural projects of all types. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, East Teak has offices on each coast to reach all markets with ease.

Wayne Rogers, President of East Teak, said, "We are constantly sourcing new FSC certified products to guarantee the legality and sustainability of our wood resources. Accoya® wood, with its impressive list of benefits and its provenance from certified sustainable sources, will enable us to do just that. We are delighted to partner with Titan Wood in distributing this revolutionary product throughout North America."

Finlay Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Accsys Technologies, added, "It is innovative technologies such as that used for the production of Accoya® wood that will give end users the confidence to turn to fast growing, sustainable species, safe in the knowledge that their performance can match that of the very best tropical hardwoods in demanding applications. 

"East Teak, a leading importer of fine hardwoods for over 35 years, has a deep respect for this precious natural resource. The introduction of Accoya® wood to their portfolio further demonstrates this commitment by increasing the choice of beautiful FSC certified wood they are able to offer. Titan Wood is pleased to partner with East Teak to meet the industry's growing demand for high performance, low maintenance, sustainable, and competitively priced wood products." 

-Ends-

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Notes to Editors:

East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc. (www.certifiedhardwoods.com) is a manufacturer of a wide range of top-quality hardwood products, including hardwood flooring and architectural mouldings. East Teak Fine Hardwoods launched its business with a focus on the marine industry, but quickly diversified their interests and soon became a market leader in custom millwork products including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) woods. East Teak works directly with architects and builders to create custom designs from environmentally responsible materials which will last a lifetime. 

Accsys Technologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) is an environmental science and technology company whose primary focus is on the production of Accoya® wood and technology licensing via its 100% owned subsidiary, Titan Wood (www.titanwood.com), which has manufacturing operations in Arnhem, the Netherlands, and a regional office for the Americas in Dallas, Texas. Accsys' operations comprise three principal business units: (i) the Accoya® wood production facility located in Arnhem, The Netherlands; (ii) technology development, focused on a programme of continuous improvements to the process engineering and operating protocols for the acetylation of wood which are currently under development and the development of technology for the acetylation of wood fibre; and (iii) the licensing of technology for the production of Accoya® wood across the globe.

Accoya® Wood (www.accoya.info) is produced by using a patents-pending non-toxic process that effectively converts sustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into what is best described as a "new wood species" via acetylation. Distinguished by its durability, dimensional stability and, perhaps most importantly of all, its reliability (in terms of consistency of both supply and quality), Accoya® wood is particularly suited to exterior applications where performance and appearance are valued. Unlike most woods, its colour does not degrade when exposed to sunlight. Moreover, the Accoya® wood production process does not compromise the wood's strength or machinability. The combination of UV resistance, dimensional stability, increased coatings life, durability and retained strength means that Accoya® wood offers a wealth of new opportunities to architects, designers and specifiers. Leading applications include external doors and windows, shutters/shading, siding and cladding, decking, outdoor furniture/equipment and glulam beams for structural use. 

Wood Acetylation is a process, which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. The environmentally responsible process protects wood from rot by making it "inedible" to most micro-organisms and insects, without - unlike conventional treatments - making it toxic. It also greatly reduces the wood's tendency to swell and shrink, making it less prone to cracking and ensuring that when painted it requires dramatically reduced maintenance. Acetylated wood's increased durability offers major carbon sequestration advantages, compared to others woods and especially typical man-made building materials.

ACCOYA and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited and 

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