Accsys expands into Africa

RNS Number : 8899H

Accsys Technologies PLC

12 November 2008

 



12th November 2008                                                                                                                   AIM: AXS

                                                                                         NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

Accsys Technologies PLC

Accsys expands into Africa announcing license agency agreement

Accsys Technologies PLC ('Accsys' or 'the Company') announces that Titan Wood Limited ('Titan Wood'), its wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into an agency agreement with PEG Resources S.A. ('PEG'), in respect of the rights to source and develop a licensing infrastructure to manufacture Accoya® wood throughout the African continent. The two companies have targeted several African countries to explore licensing opportunities for the production of Accoya® wood. 

Willy Paterson-Brown, Executive Chairman of Accsys, said, 'PEG is an ideal partner for developing the potential of the African market. Their expertise in project engineering and environmental studies, strong government relationships and financial partnerships gives them the experience we need to cultivate the potential for Accoya® wood licensing in Africa.'

Marc Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of PEG, added, 'Accoya® wood is the gold standard of quality and sustainability in the wood industry today. Reforestation programmes, responsible forest management and sustainable wood processes, are the future for many African countries and will be well supported by the West. We plan to develop the infrastructure to support these advances and believe that Accoya® wood has a significant role to play.'

Mr. Lambert continued, 'Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone will be some of the initial areas for us to focus on; however, our interest spans from Algeria to South Africa. European investment, from both government and the private sector, into the development, rehabilitation and management of forest interests in central African countries means that sustainability is the key for long term success. We are delighted to be working with Accsys and a number of governments for such progressive environmentally responsible development.'

Ends

  For further information, please contact:

Accsys Technologies PLC	William Paterson-Brown,  Executive Chairman	[phone]  [phone]
Collins Stewart Europe Limited	Hugh Field / Michael O'Brien	[phone]
Parkgreen Communications	Leah Kramer / Paul McManus [e-mail] [e-mail]	[phone] [phone] [phone]
Citigate First Financial B.V.	Wouter van de Putte / Laurens Goverse	+ 31 20 575 4080

Notes to Editors:

PEG Resources S.A. (www.pegeng.ch www.pegresources.com) - is an independent engineering consulting company established in 1965. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it offers a vast range of services spanning the cement, environment and infrastructure industries and has ongoing projects all over the globe.

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 patent-pending 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 sun 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. Leading applications include external doors and windows, shutters/shading, siding and cladding, decking, outdoor furniture/equipment and glulam beams for structural use. 

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 others woods and especially typical man-made building materials.  

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

may not be used or reproduced without written permission

 

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