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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JUNE
2016
CON-
With a shifting emphasis on product re-assurance, Vacsol® Azure®
timber preservative ticks all the boxes with its Ecospecifier Global
endorsement that this treated wood exhibits ecological and pref-
erable health characteristics.
“We are constantly looking for opportunities to lead in the supply of
wood protection products that meet the demands of our customers and
ultimately the end-user. By remaining focused on the current and future
industry trends, we are confident that Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative
will add to our capacity to expand the globally recognized range of Tanal-
ised® products in our local market,” said Doug Sayce, general manager of
Arch Wood Protection.
Since its launch four years ago, Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative has
already made its mark as the first metal-free Light Organic Solvent Preser-
vative (LOSP) that provides treated timber with greater dimensional stability
than conventional water borne wood preservative products. Furthermore, it
is rated among the contributing products to the achievement of the Green
Building rating tool credits.
This tri-functional wood preservative contains advanced organic azole
fungicides and a synthetic pyrethroid as an insecticide/termiticide for the
effective protection of timber against fungal decay, woodborers and insect
attack. It is used to treat wood products in a vessel using a double vacuum
process to ensure that the wood preservative penetrates and is retained
within the sapwood. Being metal free, it is therefore biodegradable and
regarded as safer than previous tin-based solvent wood preservatives.
Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative is best applied for the treatment
of plywood, fingerjointed, laminated and engineered wood products. The
preservation solution is a clear, amber coloured liquid and on application
transforms wood to a beautiful natural light honey shade.
As a certified environmentally friendly product, it is perfectly suited to
applications involving human contact. These are identified as Hazard Class
H2 (interior above ground) and H3 (exterior above ground) applications such
as balconies and decks, internal cladding, flooring and ceiling, laminated
beams, thatching poles, lathes and wood features. In H3 applications, it is
highly recommended that the treated timber is coated with a water repellent
penetrating sealant after installation.
Aimed at helping attendees obtain a better understanding of the
physical properties, grades and the potential for applications offered
by the different species of American hardwoods, the high-impact
event also emphasised the wide variety of American hardwood species, their
environmental credentials, as well as their importance in sustainable design.
The highlight of the seminar was a discourse on the wide variety of
American hardwood species as well as their solid environmental credentials
and their importance in sustainable design. Roderick Wiles, AHEC regional
director, provided an introduction to American hardwoods, covering topics
including sustainable forest management and selection harvesting in the
United States, hardwood production, US hardwood species and suitability
for applications. Neil Summers, AHEC’s Technical Consultant talked on new
market opportunities for American hardwoods. His presentation covered
thermally-modified American hardwoods (TMT) and also looked at the
potential for American hardwoods in structural applications and cross-lam-
inated timber (CLT).
In addition, Dana Spessert, chief inspector, National Hardwood Lumber
Association (NHLA) provided an introduction to grading American hardwood
lumber and a practical demonstration of the NHLA Rules for grading Amer-
ican hardwood lumber. Although the NHLA grading rules were originally
conceived for the U.S. marketplace, a reasonable knowledge is essential for
buyers worldwide in order to attain their expected degree of quality. With
this in mind, the seminar aimed at making the most of Spessert’s valuable
experience, which encompasses over 27 years as an inspector of hardwood
lumber, in a bid to educate buyers of hardwoods in South Africa.
Speaking at the event’s side-
lines, Roderick Wiles said, “With its
long and proven record of sustain-
ability and continuity of supply,
the US hardwood industry offers
high quality timber to address the
demands of global customers.
With this in kind, AHEC is taking
major initiatives to educate buyers,
end users and specifiers across the
globe. South Africa is an estab-
lished market, with an increasing
volume of hardwoods being
consumed in the country and our
presence through this seminar is
part of our strategy to support the
efforts of our export companies
and achieve further growth for U.S.
hardwoods globally.”
SEMINAR ATTRACTS
TIMBER LEADERS
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC),
the leading international trade association for the
American hardwood industry, has successfully
hosted a seminar in Cape Town, which was
attended by over 35 specifiers, importers, traders,
and end users of hardwoods.
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THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR
GENERATIONS TO COME
Arch Wood Protection’s introduction of Vacsol
®
Azure
®
timber preservative to the South African
market in 2012 has extended its range of
alternatives in wood preservation with an
organic, solvent-based product that is metal
free and biodegradable.
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