New horizons

Summary
• Research is being undertaken into exterior applications for tulipwood.
• AHEC is working with Osmose and Timbmet on a treatment process for tulipwood.
• Sponsorship of the Wood Awards remains a firm commitment.
• The AHEC European Convention will be held in Athens on October 22-23.

For The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) in the UK, 2008 was certainly the year of American tulipwood and that theme is carried through into 2009 with a research and development project designed to extend this adaptable species to a range of exterior applications, such as cladding. This research project, commissioned by AHEC and conducted at the BRE, was prompted by the choice of humble tulipwood by David Adjaye for his ‘Sclera’ pavilion for the London Design Festival (click here).

His choice, based on the colour tones and grain of the wood, presented AHEC with some challenges. The species had never been used in an exterior application and this high profile project, installed outside London’s Royal Festival Hall, was attracting the interest of design and architectural media from Britain and around the world. Working with treatment specialist Osmose and German fabricator Hess Wohnwerk involved the transport of tulipwood across Europe for various stages of the treatment process. The final result was a testament to the species’ adaptability and beauty – David Adjaye recognised in this species its significant appeal for exterior use and our new tulipwood research and development programme is moving ahead as a result.

Treatment process

AHEC is working closely with Osmose and Timbmet on a treatment process using Osmose Stabilising Oil which will stabilise tulipwood for exterior use and this week we were able to show some initial results at Ecobuild, with samples of treated and weathered timber. Still in its early stages, the objective of the research is to meet all the requirements of specifying timber exposed to weathering, creating a product which, we believe, will open up new markets, particularly as a competitive and attractive option for cladding. The early results are encouraging – tulipwood has tensile strength characteristics comparable with oak and the treatment is enhancing its qualities to produce a good looking and cost-effective sustainable hardwood solution. A key part of the development programme has been the information gleaned from architects and specifiers at Ecobuild which we will use for this project.

In 2009, venues such as the Guardian Hay Festival will continue to provide exciting opportunities for showcasing American hardwoods. Furniture and stage design projects at events such as Hay provide themes for our broad marketing programme, as well as the chance to promote American hardwoods to new audiences.

Sponsorship of the Wood Awards, which opened for entries this week, remains a firm commitment for AHEC because they are unique in their celebration of excellent design in the world’s most sustainable material. As a major sponsor we are looking forward to a high entry level and the high standards which have become synonymous with the Wood Awards.

European convention

This year our European Convention in Athens will bring the European timber trade together to discuss the key factors impacting on our industry, not least the global economy and how we can meet the huge associated challenges. US industry delegates will discuss issues such as certification and business development. The Convention is an incredibly important feature in the AHEC calendar. The development of new promotional strategies is informed by the discussions that take place and it is designed to be as participative as possible. We hope that many representatives of the UK timber trade will be able to join us in Athens on October 22 and 23 and will take away with them some useful insights.

While, 2009 is going to be another challenging year, AHEC will continue to move ahead with the research and innovative projects which maintain the profile of American hardwoods in a competitive world. ‘Sustainable hardwood solutions’ was the theme of our Ecobuild stand and this theme pretty much underpins everything we are planning for 2009.