Kurawood plc has unveiled its second type of modified wood, which overcomes the problems traditionally associated with acetylation, it claims.
Acetowood is designed to be complementary to its existing Vecowood modified wood product, Kurawood said.
The manufacturing process eliminates unreacted acetic anhydride and residual acetic acid left over from the acetylation process, which had been a problem with previous types of acetylated timber, Kurawood added.
This removes the need for stainless steel fixings to overcome problems caused by corrosion and makes Acetowood suitable for in-ground applications. Vecowood is intended for above ground and interior appearance grade applications.
Patent applications are being submitted by Kurawood to protect and allow it to license the technology.
“In Acetowood, we have a timber ideally suited to external and in-ground applications that can be offered for sale at prices that compete well against both traditional hardwoods and other commercially available modified timbers,” said company chairman Roy Tilleard.