Moving Towards the Next Generation of Panel Products at Ecobuild 2010
2nd March 2010 - Introducing Medite Tricoya®
Following the recent completion of a successful industrial trial, Accsys Technologies PLC and Coillte Panel Products are delighted to unveil the world's first Medite Tricoya® panel at Ecobuild 2010. This first trial panel marks one of the first true innovations in the wood composites industry in more than 30 years and potentially the beginning of the next generation of revolutionary wood based panel products for outdoor use.
With additional extensive testing and evaluation still ongoing, and the building of a full-scale plant being considered and evaluated, further development work is planned in order to work towards the possibility of making the concept of Medite Tricoya® a commercial reality. Ecobuild 2010 provides an opportunity to preview what Accsys Technologies PLC and Coillte Panel Products believe could well be the “next generation of panel products”.
Accsys Technologies PLC, the only company in the world to produce acetylated wood and wood elements on a commercial scale, and Medite Europe Limited, Europe's leading manufacturer of MDF, have joined forces and created this first panel of Medite Tricoya®. Following the signing of a joint development agreement (JDA) in June 2009 between the two companies, the collaboration is based on combined technical expertise and a pioneering approach which has led to the concept and development of this non-toxic and extremely stable medium density fibreboard (MDF) panel, made from acetylated wood fibres.
Medite Tricoya® is based on the same acetylisation process that creates Accoya® wood, the world's leading high technology wood product from Accsys Technologies PLC. This time, the technology is applied to treat the chips and fibres which make up Medite MDF panels. This new development could herald a new era of highly durable and stable fibreboard panel which, like Accoya® solid wood, could have the potential to revolutionise the way wood based panel products are used outdoors.
Compared to conventional MDF, Medite Tricoya® has all the flexibility and properties of standard MDF, but also boasts superior increased resistance to water absorption and far greater dimensional stability. These added benefits widen the scope for applications of Medite Tricoya® where conventional MDF would not be appropriate. It could potentially be used externally and internally in areas of high humidity. Suitable applications would include:
Put To The Test
The first trial Medite Tricoya® panels have been extensively tested against conventional MDF at the WKI-Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. Results clearly demonstrate superior performance in terms of its swelling, dimensional stability and wet strength. Even after stringent weather testing and being boiled in water, Medite Tricoya® maintains impressive structural integrity. A successful industrial trial run was completed at Medite's facility in Clonmel during the fourth quarter of 2009. This resulted in panels being produced which demonstrated exceptional stability, and first indications are that the material could have a service life of many decades in a variety of exterior applications.
As committed to in last year's JDA, further development work will continue between both companies to evaluate the market potential, production feasibility and the ultimate commercialisation potential for Medite Tricoya®.
Geoff Rhodes, Marketing & Business Development Director, Coillte Panel Products: “Medite Europe prides itself on being a leading innovator and pioneer in the panel products industry. Accsys Technologies PLC is an ideal partner with whom we are working closely. Following extensive joint research and development, we look forward to potentially introducing Medite Tricoya® as a commercial panel product. Created from raw material coming from fully certified FSC sustainable sources, this new product could, in time, be the world's most durable MDF product.”
Michel Maes, Global Manager Panel Products, Accsys Technologies PLC: “Medite Tricoya® is an important milestone in the technological advancement of wood composites, and marks a major breakthrough for the industry. The scope to revolutionise the way in which board panels can be used is enormous and will now open up to create the opportunity for manufacturers to develop products which are stable, durable and environmentally sound. We are delighted to be collaborating with Medite, an industry leader, to work together to introduce the next generation of panel products.”
