Accoya Wood

Creating the World’s Leading Acetylated Wood

Accoya is based upon acetylated wood technology, a process that has been studied by scientists around the world for more than 75 years.

Gold Standard

This method of improving wood has been proven to deliver such superior performance that it has long been used as the “gold standard” against which other methods are measured.

Accoya® wood has been thoroughly tested for dimensional stability, durability, UV resistance, paint retention and in-ground conditions to ensure optimal performance. Indeed, it is so reliable that for many years it has been – and continues to be – used by scientists as the benchmark against which other treatments and modifications are measured.

Extensive laboratory and field testing by leading institutes around the world (including in New Zealand, USA, UK, Sweden, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, the Netherlands and Japan) has shown the performance of acetylated wood to be extremely reliable.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of any material are determined by its chemical structure. Wood contains an abundance of chemical groups called “free hydroxyls” (represented as OH in the picture).

Free hydroxyl groups adsorb and release water according to changes in the climatic conditions to which the wood is exposed. This is the main reason why wood swells and shrinks. It is also believed that the digestion of wood by enzymes initiates at the free hydroxyl sites – which is one of the principal reasons why wood is prone to decay.

Extremely Durable

Acetylation effectively changes the free hydroxyls within the wood into acetyl groups. This is done by reacting the wood with acetic anhydride, which comes from acetic acid (known as vinegar when in its dilute form). When the free hydroxyl group is transformed to an acetyl group, the ability of the wood to absorb water is greatly reduced, rendering the wood more dimensionally stable and, because it is no longer digestible, extremely durable.

Outstanding Performance

Dimensional Stability

• Swelling and shrinkage reduced by 75% or more
• Doors and windows open effortlessly year round
• Paints and varnishes last 3 or 4 times longer, greatly reducing maintenance costs
  

Class 1 Durability

• The most durable wood possible
• More durable than teak and the world’s other most durable woods
• Perfect for outdoor use
  

Long Lasting

• Lasting at least 50 years above ground and 25 years in the ground

Perfect for Coating

• Easier to coat: less preparation and sanding between coatings required
• Improved dimensional stability and UV resistance improves the life of coatings
• Perfect for transparent, translucent and opaque coatings

From Sustainable Sources

• Sustainably sourced, including from FSC, PEFC and other regionally certified woods
• Naturally renewable

Non-Toxic

• Accoya® wood is non-toxic, protecting the environment from the harmful effects of poisons leaching out of typical wood treatment
• Accoya® wood may be safely reused and recycled

Naturally Beautiful Wood

• The process does not compromise the wood’s natural beauty

Rot & Insect Barrier

• Accoya® wood is indigestible to insects and microorganisms and is therefore more resistant to decay
• Barrier to wood-destroying fungi
• Accoya® wood is virtually rot-proof

UV Resistant

• Accoya® wood has superior resistance to UV degradation when translucent coated and its natural appearance lasts longer
• Accoya® wood is the ultimate substrate and coating life is increased

Retained Strength & Hardness

• The process does not compromise the wood’s strength
• Hardness is increased
• High strength to weight ratio, making it suitable for challenging applications
  

Consistent Quality Throughout

• Consistent, measurable modification quality from surface to core
• No need to apply chemical preservatives when cut or planed

Machinability

• Accoya® wood is easy to machine and process manually, creating no challenges for product manufacturers and end users

Consistent Supply

• Produced from abundantly available, fast-growing sources species such as Radiata Pine

100% Recyclable

• Fully reusable and recyclable
• Reuse is recommended but Accoya® wood may be safely incinerated for bio-energy or composted