Heat-treated frake hits the UK

Tropical timber supplier Ecochoice Ltd has brought a new thermally-treated hardwood to market in the UK to alleviate the pressure on “over exploited” cladding species.

Forest Stewardship Council-certified frake from west Africa is the first thermally-treated hardwood available, according to Ecochoice director Mike Bekin. He said the use of the Plato hydrothermal process had made it possible to offer a new species with new properties to developers and specifiers.

“What’s really special about this product is that the unique Plato technology has transformed an abundant yet formerly unknown and unsuitable timber into a perfect yet sophisticated alternative to rare or over explored cladding species such as western red cedar, larch, louro and oak,” said Mr Bekin. “This is active and engaged forest protection.”

Frake is traditionally used for building in its native west Africa, but is now available in the UK through Howarth Timber and Palgrave Brown, with stocks on the ground and more quantities on stand-by in the Netherlands.

It was showcased to architects at February’s Ecobuild exhibition, where Mr Bekin said there had been a good response.

Plato uses a process to treat timber at lower temperature under higher pressure, creating a less brittle product with durability and stability benefits, according to Ecochoice.