From left: Steve Crawford, executive vice-president, manufacturing and chief sustainability officer, Eastman: Jelena Arsic van Os, CEO Accsys; Paul Mitchell, director business development, Eastman; Rod Graf, general manager Accoya USA; Mark Bogle, VP global operations excellence, Eastman

Accoya USA, the modified wood producer’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing site, is now commercially operational in Kingsport, Tn. The production facility, a joint venture between Accsys and Eastman Chemical Company, replicates the design and technology of Accsys’ established production facility in the Netherlands and has an initial capacity of 18 million bd. ft. The site created 46 skilled new jobs in the area.

“This important international expansion is a huge milestone for Accsys and Accoya USA,” said Dr. Jelena Arsic van Os, CEO of Accsys Technologies PLC. “We have created a supply proximity to our North American customers, allowing us to efficiently serve the largest and most attractive wood market in the world, with the most durable and stable wood products available in the marketplace.”

“With the growing trends for timber in construction and the increasing demand for wood products, we are excited by the opportunities for Accoya USA,” said Brad Lich, executive VP and chief commercial officer of Eastman. “Accoya offers unrivaled performance in outdoor applications, providing sustainable and durable solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers and builders alike.”

“We’re so excited for customers to start receiving Accoya batches manufactured in Tennessee, which allows us to provide faster delivery and enhance reliability and service,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA. “The production team is well set to produce Accoya to the same high-performance standards the market is accustomed to.”

Accoya demand has been growing in North America, and the product has been specified for some high-profile projects, including the zero-carbon Marisol Malibu, the restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Rivington Hotel, Manhattan.

As part of the joint venture, Accsys leverages Eastman’s world-class acetyl production capabilities to produce its Accoya wood products. This supports the recycling of acetyls and enables a closed-loop system, reducing emissions and ensuring circularity. This adds to Accoya’s strong environmental credentials, which are Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold.

Source: accsysplc.com