Summary
• MicroPro is a micronised copper preservative system.
•The preservative is said to produce a more natural-looking material.
• It is particularly suitable for decking, playground equipment and fencing.
• Brookridge Timber and M&M Timber are using Osmose Micronised.

“Makes wood look like it should” was just one of the comments when M&M Timber showcased its Osmose-licensed Micronised Timber products at the recent Play Fair exhibition, the leading trade show for the playground industry.

Alongside Brookridge Timber, M&M is one of a select number of companies embracing Osmose’s MicroPro technology, a micronised copper preservative system that promises a more natural look to timber, as well as more consistent colouring and better corrosion protection.

“The timber was very well received by manufacturers, specifiers and purchasers,” said Ian Rickuss, M&M sales and marketing director. “The consistent fresh colour was a big attraction.”

Since it was first trialled in the UK late last year, MicroPro has generated significant amounts of interest from companies looking to expand their product portfolios into different market sectors, or offer customers a premium alternative with added benefits.

“We are in discussion with a reasonable number of companies and have some confidential agreements with firms looking at how MicroPro performs with the material they have,” said Andy Hodge, Osmose Europe’s marketing director. “We’re expecting to see continued growth of the product in the UK, Ireland and across Europe.”

The MicroPro system uses micronising technology to grind copper particles so small that they can penetrate into the wood in solid form. The treatment provides a number of benefits other processes are unable to match, said Mr Hodge, including a “lighter, brighter, more natural-looking material” with the opportunity to develop “enhanced colouring systems”.

The value-added preservative technology system has been introduced alongside Osmose’s established wood preservative technologies, Protim Clearchoice and Osmose Naturewood, and Mr Hodge is keen to point out that it’s an extension to the Osmose brand, not a replacement of an existing product.

“We see this as a very niche-based product: it has not been brought in to take over and replace other products, but introduced as a result of listening to customers’ comments about what they want – and taking technology forward with a product that addresses specific segments,” he told TTJ.

He said the technology allowed users to get benefits out of wood they wouldn’t achieve with conventional copper-based systems but, he admits, this may not be of interest to everybody.

“If you are in a competitive environment or a market where you’re not looking for big innovations, then the standard systems we have will be very acceptable to a lot of businesses,” he said.

“But, what this does is bring a different look to the timber; improved corrosion protection; and environmental benefits. These benefits would suit the decking and playground markets and we’re also finding an interest in the fencing market as companies upgrade their quality and come out with different propositions.”

Brookridge Timber, for example, has established itself as the leading independent timber company servicing the south-west and the Midlands. It was the first company to move to Osmose Micronised copper after reviewing its credentials. “We have been following the success of the MicroPro technology in the US market and felt that we wanted to be the first to offer Micronised Timber to our customer base, alongside Osmose Naturewood and Protim Clearchoice,” said Neil Lush, sales and marketing director at the Brookridge Group.

Mr Hodge believes the introduction of MicroPro is a “real opportunity, both for us and the industry”. In other countries, like the US and Scandinavia, he said, there are third-party accreditation schemes in place. Companies placing treated timber onto the market have to have their data and the way they treat timber scrutinised by a third party, providing assurances that the timber is treated to a recognised standard.

“We don’t have that in the UK, although the Wood Protection Association has tried to introduce one to raise the quality standards,” said Mr Hodge. “It didn’t prove an attractive position for some parts of the industry, because of the radical changes it would have required.

“But there are some companies who want a recognised standard: Micronised Timber (MT) is a real opportunity to work with companies to license them to use the MT mark. If a specifier or architect recognises or sees that MT name, they can be certain it follows a QA programme that is set in accordance with Osmose – we think that there’s a value to that.”