UK launch of Accoya with BSW

Accsys Technologies PLC 02 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 owned subsidiary, Titan Wood Ltd (www.titanwood.com), has signed an agreement with BSW Timber ('BSW'), the UK's biggest sawmilling business, for the rights to become the exclusive supplier and producer of Accoya in the region. The agreement follows two years of joint research and development and customer trials with a number of joinery companies in the UK, as well as extensive work with specialist industry partners in coatings and associated products. Under the agreement, BSW (www.bsw.co.uk) is investing to have exclusive rights in UK and Ireland to market Accoya, a modified wood product that offers outstanding performance in terms of durability, stability and reliability, to its broad base of customers. This development is consistent with the strategy outlined by Accsys at the time of its Initial Public Offering in October 2005. Accoya offers key performance attributes that are equivalent to or better than the best tropical hardwoods and superior to many artificial material alternatives. It is produced using a patented process that effectively converts sustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into what is best described as a 'new wood species' by increasing the amount of acetyl molecules present in the wood. Since acetyl molecules are already present in all wood species, the process does not introduce anything that does not occur naturally in wood and Accoya is therefore completely non-toxic. Paul Barham, Chief Executive of BSW, said: 'The Accoya brand fits well with the construction industry's growing demand for high performance, low maintenance, sustainable, competitively priced wood products. Accoya is revolutionary yet founded on many years' research and we believe that it has significant market potential in the UK where it will be a viable alternative to tropical hardwoods and artificial materials in exterior applications.' Ed Suttie, (Director, Timber), of leading independent research, consultancy and testing agency, BRE (www.bre.co.uk) commented: 'An essential component of the future sustainable use of wood will rely on innovative technologies such as acetylated wood. I am excited that the promise shown during the development of acetylated wood is at last being brought to market. This is great news for wood in Europe and great news for customers of wood products.' Edward Pratt, CEO of Accsys Technologies, added: 'As a recognised industry leader with more than 150 years of trading history in the UK, BSW is a perfect partner for Titan Wood. Their investment in the Accoya brand is a powerful endorsement of the market potential for this excellent new material. Through this agreement we will be able to make Accoya more rapidly available to the many architects, engineers, local authorities, companies and consumers who are actively seeking more reliable, attractive and sustainable options in their choice of building materials.' ENDS For further information, please contact: Accsys Technologies PLC Collins Stewart Parkgreen Communications www.accsysplc.com Limited William Paterson-Brown, Andrew Smith / Martin Eales Justine Howarth / Ana Ribeiro Executive 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 high temperature cracking and cellulose modification. Accsys' core technologies have either existing patent protection or pending patent applications. Accsys is focusing its energies on the launch of its Titan Wood business: once this business has been established, the Directors intend to pursue other technologies within its portfolio. BSW Timber - BSW Timber is the largest sawmilling business in Great Britain. The company's foundations go back to 1848 and the current company was formed in 1988 through a merger of the Brownlie family business and two other companies, Thomas Smith & 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. 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100