32 | Sector Focus: Preservatives & Fire Retardants
INVESTMENT TO DRIVE TECHNOLOGIES
In this article, Andy Hodge of Arxada, explains how being proactive in the regulatory landscape and product development is the only way to drive the industry forward SUMMARY
■Lonza’s Wood Protection business was bought by Bain Capital and Cinven
■The new company name is Arxada ■The drive for BPR-approved actives continues
■Tanasote was commercially launched earlier this year
Before I explore the topic of pioneering timber protection technologies, I must first acknowledge the new name for the Lonza Wood Protection business. Earlier this year, along with the entire Lonza Specialty Ingredients trading division, the Wood Protection business was bought by Bain Capital and Cinven. With new ownership comes a new company name – Arxada. Arxada was revealed to the world on October 21 and the global wood protection business is excited to be a part of this evolution. We have full business backing to continue to invest in the future; driving Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) authorised modern actives forward to help make the most of timber’s unique and adaptable properties. Despite a new company name, our product brands and our mission to help the timber sector make the most of this sustainable and adaptable construction material have not changed.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BPR Driving timber protection technologies forward requires an unwavering commitment to innovation and investment. It can take several years to get a new wood preservative through the BPR authorisation process but, once achieved, it provides confidence that the product is both effective against wood destroying fungi and/or insects, and that it has passed stringent risk assessments covering human, animal and environmental health. What’s more, it provides reassurance in product continuity. Take Tanasote, which was commercially launched earlier this year, as an example. A modern oil-based copper
preservative, Tanasote has BPR authorisation for Use Classes 3 and 4 until at least 2031. Containing copper and innovative organic co-biocides, Tanasote is the only modern-day alternative to creosote with BPR authorisation and has been specifically formulated to deliver more than 40 years’ service life in demanding applications such as utility poles and track timbers.* By making sure that such high-performance heavy-duty timbers are not replaced by carbon intensive materials such as steel, concrete and plastic, Tanasote is the embodiment of our mission to help get the most of timber and helping to keep “wood in the game”.
OVERALL CARBON IMPACT Across our entire product portfolio, we continue to look at ways we can help further reduce the carbon impact of projects. Following the release of Vacsol 6118 last year, a metal and VOC-free low-pressure wood preservative, we hope to launch a metal- free version of Tanalith high-pressure wood preservative early in 2022.
In addition, as a global wood business, our colleagues in North America have been working on a water-based industrial sealant technology. LotusPro is a high-performance, mould-resistant coating for mass timber and other engineered wood that offers today’s mass timber products superior protection against moisture, staining and dirt pick-up, whilst not impacting the natural appearance of the timber. This technology is being evaluated for the European market and we
welcome contact from any interested parties. We are also looking at how we can reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process. Investment in smarter manufacturing processes and technologies is key to this. As a business, we are excited to be investing in our treatment manufacturing plant in Huddersfield, with expansion of our Tanalith and Tanasote production facilities ready for the first quarter of next year. In addition, we are looking at more energy efficient ways of transportation. The transportation of Vacsol 6118 as a concentrate was a great step in reducing the carbon footprint of wood preservative transportation.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
For too long, timber protection technologies have been driven by changes in the regulatory landscape. Whilst I appreciate that this will continue to be the case for some time, I would urge industry to be proactive and anticipate changes in the market place to help timber construction evolve.
At Arxada we will continue to invest in our in-house research and development capacity and work with partners on large- scale commercial trials. With the launch of a metal-free Tanalith on the horizon, we will also continue to work closely with specifiers to help develop innovative products to allow them to make the most of timber. ■
*Depending on commodity, desired service life, timber species and application, service life requirements can vary.
Above left: A Tanasote poles test site Above right: Tanasote is an alternative to creosote TTJ | November/December 2021 |
www.ttjonline.com
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