Accsys Tech Regulatory News (AXS)

10 Jul 2008 07:00



AIM: AXS NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

Accsys Selected To Join Elite Cleantech Index (CTIUS)

LONDON, 10 July, 2008 - Environmental science and technology company, Accsys Technologies PLC ("Accsys" or "the Company"), has been selected by the Cleantech Group™, LLC to join its prestigious Cleantech Index™ (AMEX: ^CTIUS) of public cleantech companies, with effect from 30 June 2008.

The Cleantech Group's Cleantech Index (www.cleantechindex.com) is the first, and only, equity index to offer investors and index licensees an easy, liquid and cost-effective way to track and invest in the broad cleantech category. Unlike indices that specifically track narrow sectors such as renewable energy or water, the Cleantech Index includes the leading companies from a broad range of sectors including advanced materials, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, energy efficiency, renewables and water.

Now comprising 76 publicly traded companies, the Cleantech Index is the industry gold standard upon which a growing range of financial products are based. In 2007, the Index outperformed the S&P 500 Index by 37.4%, over the last 12 months by 26.3%, and in 2008 (to June 27th) by 6.5%.

"We are delighted to be included in this elite group of companies. The screening criteria were exacting, including profitability, growth, environmental impact, industry leadership, intellectual property, strategy and management quality. The fact that Accsys measured up so well is a further endorsement of the strength of the Company and the enormous global potential for our high performance Accoya® wood technology," said Accsys' Executive Chairman, Willy Paterson-Brown.

"Accsys' addition to the Cleantech Index reflects the significance of the company to global cleantech investors," added Rafael Coven, Managing Director of Cleantech Indices for the Cleantech Group, LLC, and Index Advisor.

With its inclusion in the Cleantech Index, Accsys is also now being traded in funds based upon CTIUS, including the PowerShares Cleantech Portfolio ETF (Amex: ^PZD) and KSM Cleantech ETF (Bloomberg: ^KSMCLNT: IT) in Israel, among others.

-ENDS-

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Notes to Editors: 

The Cleantech Group, LLC (www.cleantech.com) pioneered the cleantech investment category in 2002. Today, it accelerates the development and market adoption of clean technologies globally through membership in the largest global network of investors and companies, representing more than $3 trillion in assets. Member investors, growth companies/vendors, enterprises, service providers, and others receive access to capital, investment opportunities, market leading research and data, insight, sales opportunities, human capital, and promotional opportunities. The Cleantech Group also produces the premier Cleantech Forum events worldwide. 

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 patented 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 tropical and European hardwoods, its colour does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light. Moreover, the Accoya® wood production process does not compromise the wood's strength or machinability. The combination of UV resistance, dimensional stability, durability and retained strength means that Accoya® wood offers a wealth of new opportunities to architects, designers and specifiers. 

Wood Acetylation is a process, which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. The 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.

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

may not be used or reproduced without written permission.