The recent licensing deal agreed between timber preservative manufacturers Osmose and Arch Timber Protection on micronised copper technology for wood preservation is unlikely to have much impact in the UK market, TTJ understands.
Osmose beat Arch to secure a patent for micronised timber technology in the US, with Arch agreeing to pay its rival to secure a worldwide licensing agreement to use the technology.
But while Osmose is pushing its MicroPro product heavily in the UK, Arch says it has no plans to make use of the licensing arrangement and adopt the product here.
An Arch spokesperson told TTJ that Arch is making use of the technology in the US, where it believes it works well, but it will concentrate on its existing products in the UK, which includes Tanalith E and the more recent Tanalised Clear, which, like micronised technology, confers a more natural appearance on timber.
Osmose secured a patent for its micronised copper technology for wood preservation just over a year ago.
“If you look at the market in the US today, 60% of all treated timber is micronised,” said Andy Hodge, marketing director at Osmose Europe. “Of that a large percentage would be Osmose.”
He said about 5,500 US lumber yards and DIY centres now sold micronised treated lumber.
With such a wide demand in the US, Mr Hodge said it made commercial sense for Osmose to agree a licensing deal with its rival, as it couldn’t supply the market on its own.
B&Q started selling MicroPro treated wood in January, including products which have added colour pigments (Microshades).
Mr Hodge said the ability of the product to look like hardwood or modified wood, especially in decking, has been attractive for retailers and users alike, with Microshades decking consistently performing as one of the top sellers at outlets. Products are also now being offered by Travis Perkins.
