Wood modification complements wood treatment

Friday 16 Mar 2012

 
As detailed in a recent issue of Offcuts, in addition to WPC’s increasingly being used for decking, fencing products and other outdoor end-uses, wood modification is another treatment process that’s making its presence felt in this part of the world. Since 2008 a New Zealand company, Tunnicliffe Timber, has been using ThermoWood®- a heat treatment process developed in Finland - to modify NZ Radiata pine at temperatures of up to 230 degrees Celsius in a specially designed chamber. Another larger NZ forest products company has also installed a pilot plant and is looking at options for expansion.

Tunnicliffe Timber, recognising a niche for the heat treated wood, diversified and added the ThermoWood range to their CCA and LOSP treatment and other wood manufacturing operations. As part of Wood Preservation 2012 series running in mid-May, Tunnicliffe Timber will be outlining their journey on how and why they branched out into other alternate treatment operations.

Rather than being seen as a threat, there are real opportunities for local companies to diversify their current operations from the outset” says Brent Apthorp, FIEA Director. “Early adoption of new technology – formulations, treatment processes and new wood treatment technologies - provides companies with diversification. In most cases it complements existing operations and provides the company with an early competitive advantage.”

The production of WPC’s or the ThermoWood products are low capital, flexible and highly automated manufacturing operations that can complement other traditional wood treatment and processing operations. Key trends and issues highlighted in Wood Preservation 2012 are expected to have a major bearing on the future operation of Australian and New Zealand companies in the next few years.

Wood Preservation 2012 will run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 16-17 May and again in Australia, on 23-24 May 2012. Presenters from Australia, New Zealand, the US and Norway will be presenting as part of this new series. Full details including the programmes for Wood Preservation 2012 can be downloaded from the event website, www.woodpreservationevents.com


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