Media Release
5 March 2012: For Immediate Release
Alternate Technologies offer Wood Treatment Industry Opportunity
In a recent report on wood preservation, Global Industry Analysts projected that the Global market for wood
preservatives is likely to reach US$1.5 billion by 2017. Although major end use applications for wood preservatives are
decking and fencing products, the landscape end-use segment is expected to contribute to maximum revenue growth over the
next five years.
“As identified in the report, as well as the projected growth of traditional treated wood products, alternate wood
products are increasingly making themselves known in the marketplace. Wood Plastic Composites (WPC’s), a mixture of
plastics and wood filler designed to look like wood, and modified wood products have in recent years been making
significant inroads into traditional treated wood products”, says Forest Industry Engineering Association Director,
Brent Apthorp.
To cover some of these significant technology and market trends, Wood Preservation 2012 will run for the timber industry
in Rotorua on 16-17 May 2012. “Since the last independent technology update three years ago, the changes have been
significant” says Mr Apthorp. “The structure and ownership of the industry is quite different. Changes in new wood
treatment formulations, processes and systems, standards, legislation and the increasing competition now being seen with
alternate wood products in the marketplace have changed the industry”.
WPC’s and modified wood are now a commercial reality. The WPC industry was valued at US$2.1 billion industry in 2010 and
growth has been around 15% compounded each year over the past five years. North America up until now has been the major
producer of WPC’s but China is taking a dominant role in production. From just 80,000 tonnes produced in 2006, over
300,000 tonnes of WPC’s were produced in 2010.
Australian and New Zealand WPC sales are still small by comparison but expected to double in the next two years. In a
recent article on wood substitutes, it was estimated that 8% of all local authorities across Australia are using WPC’s.
One source estimated that demand in Australia could increase at 50% annually.
“The good news though is that these new treatment processes offer traditional wood producers the ability to diversify
their manufacturing operations” says FIEA Director Brent Apthorp. “They’re relatively low capital, flexible and highly
automated manufacturing operations that are able to complement local wood treatment operations”.
“Wood Preservation 2012 will provide a unique programme for local wood producers to update themselves on new wood
treatment technologies, advances in alternative products and outline the industry's response to increasing environmental
issues and changes that are occurring now in production, distribution and retailing in Australasia, North America and
Europe” says Brent Apthorp.
Full details including the programmes for this latest FIEA technology series can be downloaded from the event website, www.woodpreservationeventscom
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About FIEA
The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA), a division of Innovatek Ltd, is a unique grouping in Australasia.
It's the principal vehicle for technology transfer for forestry and wood products companies. Through a range of
independent programmes, new product and process technologies are introduced to New Zealand and Australian companies.
Technologies best suited to the size of the industry and to the local wood resource are being identified and
"showcased". A regular series of conferences, practical workshops and managed exhibitions are run every year. Forestry
and wood product companies, key product suppliers, researchers and technology providers from throughout the world are
targeted and involved with these technology events.