Accsys Tech Regulatory News (AXS)

27 Apr 2009 07:00



NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

Accsys Technologies

Termite Durability: Titan Wood Announces Testing Results

Termite damage is a severe problem throughout the world, with the annual cost in the United States alone being some $5 billion, due to crippled structures, infested homes and the need for costly repairs. Acetylated wood, such as Accoya® wood, has long been thought of as an effective barrier against termite decay. 

Further strengthening these claims, Titan Wood Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies, is pleased to announce that its Accoya® wood has produced very favourable results against standard termite testing in the USA. Testing at leading institutions, such as Louisiana State University and Mississippi State  University, followed the rigorous protocols set out by the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) and was completed using highly aggressive Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, and the more common Reticulitermes flavipes. The results confirmed that Accoya® wood is less susceptible to termite attack, as well as increased termite mortality. 

The tests were conducted under AWPA E1 standards, and yielded termite appearance ratings of 9.6, which is classified as Light Attack. Control samples, by comparison, had an average rating of 3.5 which is worse than Heavy Attack. Weight loss from termite attack averaged 1.43% for Accoya® wood versus control sample averages of 32.06%.

In reviewing results from testing done at Mississippi State University's Forest Products Laboratory and Louisiana State University's School of Renewable Natural Resources, Matthew Roberts, an expert in wood durability explained, "Titan Wood recently engaged in termite testing of its Accoya® wood product in the hope of validating long-standing theories surrounding the durability of acetylated wood against termite decay. Upon review of the testing data it is clear that Accoya® wood offers outstanding durability against the most destructive of termites, having more than 20 times the resilience of untreated wood."

Finlay Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Titan Wood, stated, "These results provide independent proof that Accoya® is a sustainable wood that withstands many types of attack. It has high durability, in even the harshest of conditions, without the need for toxic additives or ongoing wood treatments. At last, a building material is available which both protects structures and reduces the impact on the environment. Accoya® wood is the natural choice."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

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 Limited (www.titanwood.com), which has manufacturing operations in Arnhem, the Netherlands, a European office in London and an Americas office 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 and Tricoya™ wood elements across the globe.

Accoya® Wood (www.accoya.info) is produced by using a patented, 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. 

Tricoya™ Wood Elements (www.tricoya.com) is Titan Wood's proprietary technology for the acetylation of wood fibres, chips, and particles for use in the fabrication of wood based composites, including panel products. These composites demonstrate enhanced durability and dimensional stability which allow them to be used in a variety of applications which were once limited to solid wood or man-made products. Tricoya™ Wood Elements is lauded as the first major innovation in the wood composites industry in more than 30 years.

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 other woods and man-made building materials such as steel, vinyl, and plastic.

Wood Composites include a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by binding together the strands, particles, fibres, or veneers of wood, together with adhesives, to form composite materials. These products are engineered to precise design specifications which are tested to meet national or international standards.

ACCOYA® and the Trimarque logo are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited. TRICOYA™ and the Elements logo are trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited. These may not be used or reproduced without written permission.