Sustainable wood specialist expands into North American market with joint venture

A London-based firm that provides sustainable wood building products has expanded its global footprint with the launch of a new US venture.

Accsys has partnered with Tennessee-based Eastman Chemical Company to launch joint venture company Accoya USA in order grow its presence in the North American market.

Accsys has seen its Accoya wood used on developments around the world, including the UK, US and Australia.

Accoya USA plans to create a new wood production plant, initially set to produce around 40,000 cubic metres of wood per annum.

Rob Harris, CEO of Accsys, commented: “Accsys’ purpose is ‘changing wood to change the world’, and together with our work in Arnhem and Hull, this joint venture with Eastman represents a further step forward for our growth strategy.

“While evaluation works are at an early stage we are excited about the prospect of increasing our total production capacity and global presence, increasing the positive impact we can have on the world.”

Paul Mitchell, director of strategy and business development of Eastman, added: “Sustainability is at the heart of Eastman’s values and strategy.

“As the global leader in acetic anhydride production Accoya represents a great opportunity: using one of our specialty products to create a material that offers architects, builders, specifiers and homeowners a choice to build more sustainably.”