Accsys Tech Regulatory News (AXS)

19 Dec 2005 07:00

Accsys Technologies PLC19 December 2005 19 December 2005 AIM: AXS Accsys to expand into the Middle East following agreement with Skanfore LLC Accsys Technologies PLC ("Accsys" or "the Company") announces that its 100%owned subsidiary, Titan Wood Ltd., has entered into an option agreement withSkanfore LLC, of Abu Dhabi, to buy a wood acetylation licence for the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE). The agreement puts Accsys well ahead of schedule for itsregional licensing expansion programme. Terms of the agreement include up front payments as well as exclusivity toproduce Accoya(TM) acetylated wood in the UAE, based on volume commitments, withan initial capacity of 50,000 cubic metres. "We are delighted to enter into this agreement at a relatively early stage ofour development. There is no question that the UAE is a tremendous potentialmarket for Accoya and we are pleased to have an influential local partner whoshares the same vision for our environmentally friendly wood modificationbusiness", said Willy Paterson-Brown, Executive Chairman of Accsys(www.accsysplc.com). Howard Moss, General Manager of Skanfore said, "We are very happy to beassociated with Accsys. Having followed its development for some time, webelieve there is an exciting future for Accoya(TM) wood in the Emirates. We willbe presenting Accoya(TM) at the Dubai International Wood Trade Show next April". The agreement between Titan Wood (www.titanwood.com) and Skanfore(www.skanfore.com) is the first of what the Company anticipates will be a seriesof agreements leading to licences to produce Accoya(TM) during 2006, although theannouncement of this agreement is ahead of the Company's expectations. Accoya(TM) offers key performance attributes that are equivalent to or betterthan the best tropical hardwoods and superior to many artificial materialalternatives. It is produced using a patented process that effectively convertssustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into what is bestdescribed as a 'new wood species' by increasing the amount of acetyl moleculespresent in the wood. Since acetyl molecules are already present in all woodspecies, the process does not introduce anything that does not occur naturallyin wood and Accoya(TM) is therefore completely non-toxic. Distinguished by its durability, dimensional stability and, perhaps mostimportantly of all, its reliability in terms of consistency of supply andquality, Accoya(TM) is particularly suited to exterior applications whereperformance and appearance are valued. Unlike most tropical and Europeanhardwoods, its colour does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light.Moreover, because the production process does not compromise the wood's strengthand Accoya(TM) has superior UV resistance to unmodified woods, Accoya(TM) offersa wealth of new opportunities to architects, designers and specifiers. Wood acetylation will form the Company's focus in the short to medium term withthe business plan forecasting strong growth in the next few years. Accsysoperates a large-scale pilot plant in Arnhem, the Netherlands. This plant ispresently being used to supply test material to customers and potentiallicensees across the world. A full scale plant is currently under constructionand is scheduled to go into production in summer 2006. ENDS For further information, please contact: Accsys Technologies PLC William Paterson-Brown, +44 (0) 20 7598 4040 Executive Chairmanwww.accsysplc.comCollins Stewart Limited Andrew Smith / Martin Eales +44 (0) 20 7523 8000Parkgreen Communications Justine Howarth / Ana Ribeiro +44 (0) 20 7493 3713 Notes to Editors Accsys Technologies - owns the rights to a number of processes, including hightemperature cracking and cellulose modification. Accsys' core technologies haveeither existing patent protection or pending patent applications. Accsys isfocusing its energies on the launch of its Titan Wood business: once thisbusiness has been established, the Directors intend to pursue other technologieswithin its portfolio. Skanfore LLC - Skanfore is a diversified trading company, based in Abu Dhabi,UAE, with interests in mining, engineering, construction, finance andenvironmental projects. The introduction to Skanfore was made by the former Chairman of AccsysChemicals. Wood Acetylation - Wood acetylation is a process which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. Theprocess protects wood from rot by making it "inedible" to most micro-organismsand insects, without - unlike conventional treatments - making it toxic. Italso greatly reduces the wood's tendency to swell and shrink, making it lessprone to cracking and ensuring that when painted it requires dramaticallyreduced maintenance.-------------------------- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange