Wood Preservatives: The Next Generation

For immediate release:    Contact: Chuck Brennan
    Phone:973-571-9000
    Fax: 973-239-3177

WOOD PRESERVATIVES: THE NEXT GENERATION

Verona, NJ July 14, 2003 -- The value of waterborne wood preservatives used in North America will soar within the next year—more than tripling in value from 2002 levels—when wood products for consumer applications can no longer be treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). In a voluntary move by the industry, CCA will not be used for such products as decking, picnic tables, playground equipment and similar consumer items after the end of this year.

The leading alternatives to CCA—alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper azole—are significantly more expensive, which accounts for much of the increase in market value. Demand for creosote and such oil-borne preservatives as pentachlorophenol (PCP) will also increase, but at lower rates, according to a new industry study.

Most wood treaters in Canada and the United States have converted their facilities to use alternative preservatives, which are free of chrome and arsenic, but are more corrosive to processing equipment. However, few treaters are using the alternatives today because of their higher price and weak consumer demand.

A commodity market that for decades has been dominated by one product, will become much more fragmented and lucrative once CCA is phased out. As a result, the industry will undergo significant restructuring because the anticipated shift to new preservatives has attracted the attention of many new potential participants.

The new players are often characterized as companies that hold EPA product registrations for pesticides used in agricultural applications, which also may have efficacy as wood preservatives. Strategic alliances are being formed to leverage individual company strengths and maximize the market impact of new product introductions.

A host of companies are expected to benefit from the market dynamics. They include such companies as Akzo Nobel, Arch Wood Protection, BASF, Bayer, Buckman Laboratories, CSI, FMC, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Lonza, National Boraxx, Osmose, U.S. Borax and others that supply either active ingredients or formulated preservatives.

Wood Preservatives: The Next Generation summarizes the findings and conclusions of the first comprehensive analysis of the dynamic and complex market for the preservatives used to protect wood and wood composites from insect attack and decay. The survey analyzes in detail the use of wood preservatives in the United States and Canada in 2002 and forecasts demand in volume and value for wood preservatives in 2003, 2004 and 2008. Descriptions are provided for 17 wood preservative systems and 22 active ingredients that could serve as components of formulated all-organic products.

Technologies likely to impact the industry are also discussed. A total of 33 suppliers of active ingredients and formulated products are profiled. In addition, 20 wood treaters in Canada and 63 wood treaters in the United States are also profiled.

The 186-page report published by Brennan Research Group is based chiefly on interviews with 116 individuals in 78 organizations, including wood treaters, architect specifiers and builders, product manufacturers, suppliers of preservatives and active ingredients, universities, and professional and trade organizations. The interviews were conducted during the period June through December 2002.



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