Accsys expands into North Ame

RNS Number : 5590H

Accsys Technologies PLC

06 November 2008

 



6th November 2008                                                                                          AIM: AXS

    NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

Accsys Technologies PLC

Accsys expands into North America - Agreement with UCS Forest Products

Accsys Technologies PLC ('Accsys' or 'the Company') announces that Titan Wood Limited ('Titan Wood'), its 100% owned subsidiary, has entered into an agreement with UCS Forest Products ('UCS') for UCS to distribute Accoya® wood in Canada and the United States of America. The two companies are also in discussions regarding licensing options to manufacture Accoya® wood in North America.

UCS, www.ucsforestgroup.com is one of North America's premier importers, exporters and distributors of specialty wood products based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. UCS has distribution centres in the US and Canada, including Toronto, Chicago, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle and Salt Lake City, servicing an estimated US$35 Billion market. The company also maintains a trading office in China.

Warren Spitz, President and CEO of UCS, said, 'Sustainability is essential to the future of the wood industry. UCS is committed to the responsible development and maintenance of our natural resources and Accoya® wood clearly spearheads that opportunity. We believe that Accoya® has a huge role to play in the US and Canadian wood industries. Having done extensive research into the product, we are excited about the opportunity to develop this enormous market.'

UCS will start shipping Accoya® wood products to their customers by the end of 2008.

Mr. Spitz, who sits on the Board of the International Wood Products Association, went on to say, 'It is not often that there are real, step-changing technological developments in our industry. In Accoya® wood, with the primary product features of durability, dimensional stability, reliability and sustainability, Accsys has achieved that and done it in style, while at the same time maintaining environmental integrity. We look forward to the prospects for our business together and exploring the licensing options.'

Willy Paterson-Brown, Executive Chairman of Accsys, added, 'We are delighted to be working with such an experienced, professional company as UCS, who have such an outstanding reputation within the wood industry. We share the same vision of producing and delivering high quality, sustainable products without negatively impacting the environment - the very essence of what Accoya® wood is about. We look forward to working with UCS to introduce Accoya® wood extensively throughout North America.'

-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]
Citigate First Financial B.V.	Wouter van de Putte / Laurens Goverse	+ 31 20 575 4080

Notes to Editors:

UCS Forest Group (www.ucfp.com) - is North America's premier importer, exporter and distributor of specialty products serving discerning customers in the architectural woodworking industry. UCS trades as Sierra Forest Products in the United States, Upper Canada Forest Products in Canada and UCS Global Internationally.

UCS, who acquired Cambium Forest Products and A&M Specialty Wood in 2007, is a member of the National Hardwood Lumbermans Association (NHLA), Canadian Lumberman's Association (CLA), Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA), International Wood Products Association (IWPA), Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Association (OMFA). UCS works to FSC Canada and FSC US, LEED, US Green Build Council standards. 

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 patented 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 tropical and European hardwoods, its colour does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet 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.

Wood Acetylation is a process, which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. The 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.

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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