Accoya
[Ak-ko-ya] [Pinus radiata – modified] [Trade names: Accoya (EU, NL, NZ)]
|
Origin |
FSC-certified radiata pine from New Zealand; modification mainly in the Netherlands |
|
Raw density |
approx. 515 kg/m³ |
|
Durability class |
Class 1 (modified) |
|
Radial shrinkage |
approx. 0.4 % |
|
Tangential shrinkage |
approx. 0.8 % |
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Wood color |
Light, yellowish-white; grays evenly |
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Wood structure |
Homogeneous, fine-grained, stabilized by acetylation |
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Use |
Windows, doors, facades, terraces, durable outdoor applications |
Origin of the wood
Accoya almost exclusively uses wood from the radiata pine(Pinus radiata). This species originally comes from western North America, but is now mainly grown in large plantations in New Zealand. The logs are then transported to Europe, where they are processed for modification at the manufacturer’s plant in the Netherlands before being marketed.
Sustainability aspects
Plantation farming enables a stable supply, but is associated with less biodiversity and intensive forms of cultivation. Added to this are long transportation routes, which increase the CO₂ footprint significantly. The acetylation process is energy- and resource-intensive and requires additional chemical substances, the production and transportation of which are also part of the environmental footprint.
Modification and properties
In the so-called “acetylation” process, water-binding components of the wood are chemically modified with a liquid similar to acetic acid. The wood attracts significantly less water after the treatment, which increases the durability and dimensional stability are improved. As this process is technically demanding and cost-intensive, this is later reflected in the market price of the wood.
Even after modification, the original pine wood remains relatively light and soft. Compared to dense tropical woods, it is more susceptible to pressure marks and mechanical stress. The high guarantee promises for Accoya are the result of laboratory analyses and accelerated ageing tests, which predict exceptional durability. However, as Accoya has only been in use for a good two decades, the guaranteed periods cannot currently be fully confirmed by real field data.
Sources: Accoya Product Data Sheet, Accsys Sustainability, Scion Research, Lignum
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