Accsys Tech Regulatory News (AXS)

23 May 2007 09:14

Accsys Technologies PLC23 May 2007 23 May 2007 AIM: AXS Titan Wood appoints Roger Rowell as Chief Wood Scientist Accsys Technologies PLC ("Accsys" or "the Company") announces its 100% ownedsubsidiary Titan Wood has appointed world renowned expert in wood modification,Professor Roger Rowell, PhD., as Chief Wood Scientist and "Ambassador forAccoyaTM", the company's ultra high performance modified wood. Professor Rowell is one of the most experienced, internationally respected andextensively published scientists in the field of wood modification. SeniorTechnical Pioneering Scientist with the United States Department ofAgriculture's Forest Products Laboratory and Professor in the Department ofBiological Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ProfessorRowell has over 300 scientific publications to his name, has written/co-written10 books on wood chemistry and is author of 42 separate patents in the field ofwood and materials science. Professor Rowell is a fellow of both theInternational Academy of Wood Science and the American Chemical Society. Commenting on his new appointment, Professor Rowell said: "I have worked in thefield of chemical modification for 40 years. Time and again, I have come back toacetylation because it is reliable and achieves the best performance attributes,in particular dimensional stability and resistance to micro-organisms, withoutloss of strength or original colour of the wood. This non-toxic approach to woodmodification is especially important as we need methods of protectingsustainably grown wood that is used in adverse environments without resorting tothe use of toxic chemicals that poison our planet. "I have followed the Company's progress from the beginning and it is clear to methat this is a company that possesses all the key ingredients for long-termsuccess and their strategic partnerships are testament to their success and hugepotential. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Titan Wood as itpioneers its global programme to bring this remarkable technology to new marketsaround the world." Edward Pratt, Chief Executive Officer, added: "Roger will bring a wealth ofexperience and ideas to the Company. Roger was one of the early pioneers offibre modification, an area in which we are now applying our AccoyaTMtechnology. He is at the very forefront of the field in which Titan Woodoperates, and his energy and experience promises to help Titan Wood across ourentire business. His appointment marks another coup for Titan Wood: Roger'sinvolvement in the team is an endorsement of our business and technicalachievements to date, as well as a boost to our future development, particularlyin the area of fibre-based products." Titan Wood's next major product development initiative is the development ofAccoyaTM technology for panel products. Several years of research, includingcontact with many of the world's leading panel products companies, indicatesthat there is significant demand for highly durable, dimensionally stableversions of MDF, OSB, particle board and wood composites. Company analystsbelieve that market potential for such panel materials could match or evenexceed that for dimensional lumber (i.e. solid wood). Although Professor Rowellwill be focusing his efforts in wood fibre based technology, Titan Wood willdraw on his knowledge across its entire development programme, as well as in newtechnological applications which will further complement the Company's existingwork. For further information, please contact: Jacquie Duncan Titan Wood Limited T:+44 20 8114 2510 ext 51 E: media@accoya.info www.accsysplc.com www.titanwood.com Notes to Editors Titan Wood Limited (www.titanwood.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of AccsysTechnologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) group of companies. Accsys Technologies PLCis listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market under the symbol 'AXS'. AccoyaTM (www.accoya.info) is Titan Wood's principal product is a type of woodproduced using a patented process that effectively converts sustainably grownsoftwoods and non-durable hardwoods into what is best described as a 'new woodspecies'. Distinguished by its durability, dimensional stability and, perhapsmost importantly of all, its reliability (in terms of consistency of both supplyand quality), AccoyaTM is particularly suited to exterior applications whereperformance and appearance are valued. The AccoyaTM production process does notcompromise the wood's strength or machinability. The combination of improved UVresistance, dimensional stability, durability and retained strength means thatAccoyaTM wood offers a wealth of new opportunities to architects, designers andspecifiers. ACCOYATM is a registered trademark owned by Titan Wood Limited. MDF stands for "medium density fibre" board, a panel product made from smallparticles of wood fibre which typically has very attractive surface properties.OSB stands for oriented strand board, a structural panel product made fromstrips of wood used in construction applications which typically is used due toits strength characteristics. Particle board is sometimes referred to aschipboard. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange