2nd Mar 2006 07:01
Accsys Technologies PLC02 March 2006 2nd March 2006 AIM: AXS Accoya, a 'new wood species', is to launch in the UK in partnership with UK's largest sawmilling business, BSW Timber Accsys Technologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) is bringing Accoya, a 'new species'of high performing wood, into the UK and Ireland. The company's wholly ownedsubsidiary, Titan Wood Ltd (www.titanwood.com), has signed an agreement with BSWTimber ("BSW"), the UK's biggest sawmilling business, for the rights to becomethe exclusive supplier and producer of Accoya in the region. The agreement follows two years of joint research and development and customertrials with a number of joinery companies in the UK, as well as extensive workwith specialist industry partners in coatings and associated products. Underthe agreement, BSW (www.bsw.co.uk) is investing to have exclusive rights in UKand Ireland to market Accoya, a modified wood product that offers outstandingperformance in terms of durability, stability and reliability, to its broad baseof customers. This development is consistent with the strategy outlined by Accsys at the timeof its Initial Public Offering in October 2005. Accoya offers key performance attributes that are equivalent to or better thanthe 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 is therefore completely non-toxic. Paul Barham, Chief Executive of BSW, said: "The Accoya brand fits well with theconstruction industry's growing demand for high performance, low maintenance,sustainable, competitively priced wood products. Accoya is revolutionary yetfounded on many years' research and we believe that it has significant marketpotential in the UK where it will be a viable alternative to tropical hardwoodsand artificial materials in exterior applications." Ed Suttie, (Director, Timber), of leading independent research, consultancy andtesting agency, BRE (www.bre.co.uk) commented: "An essential component of thefuture sustainable use of wood will rely on innovative technologies such asacetylated wood. I am excited that the promise shown during the development ofacetylated wood is at last being brought to market. This is great news for woodin Europe and great news for customers of wood products." Edward Pratt, CEO of Accsys Technologies, added: "As a recognised industryleader with more than 150 years of trading history in the UK, BSW is a perfectpartner for Titan Wood. Their investment in the Accoya brand is a powerfulendorsement of the market potential for this excellent new material. Throughthis agreement we will be able to make Accoya more rapidly available to the manyarchitects, engineers, local authorities, companies and consumers who areactively seeking more reliable, attractive and sustainable options in theirchoice of building materials." ENDS For further information, please contact: Accsys Technologies PLC Collins Stewart Parkgreen Communicationswww.accsysplc.com Limited William Paterson-Brown, Andrew Smith / Martin Eales Justine Howarth / Ana RibeiroExecutive Chairman +44 (0) 20 7598 4040 +44 (0) 20 7523 8000 +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. BSW Timber - BSW Timber is the largest sawmilling business in Great Britain. Thecompany's foundations go back to 1848 and the current company was formed in 1988through a merger of the Brownlie family business and two other companies, ThomasSmith & Sons and Western Softwoods. 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 ExchangeRelated Shares:
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