With the upgrade of the Company's treatment facility in 2005 we are now in a position to offer two treatment preservatives.

Lifewood CCA

The traditional CCA which is used widely in all areas including:

• Agricultural Farm Posts
• Vineyard Trellis
• Landscaping Material
• Sawn & Dressed Timber
• F7 Structural Timber
• Poles used for Sheds, Piles, Retaining Walls

Naturewood ACQ

The new preservative we offer, ACQ is able to be used in the more environmently sensitive areas. The APVMA which is the Government Agency that controls the use of timber treatment in Australia has ruled that from March 2006 alternative chemicals which are arsenate and chromium free are to be used in the following areas:

• Playground Equipment
• Domestic Decking
• Cubby Houses
• Garden & Picnic Furniture
• Handrail

ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) offers a similiar degree of protection against decay, fungi, termites and wood borers as the traditional more widley used CCA.

For more information about which preservative to choose please see below.

CCA or ACQ

LifeWood CCA Preservative (Chromated Copper Arsenate)

 Applications include: Verandah posts, retaining wall timber, farm fencing, building timber, domestic fencing, lattice, weatherboards, marine applications.

Advantages: Widely available, cheaper than ACQ, fungicide & insecticide, proven durability.

Disadvantages: Limitations have been imposed on its use by the APVMA, see below.

"Following reviews by the APVMA CCA treated timber has some limitaions to its use within the Australian market. The recommendations by this review were put in place mainly as precautionary measures where intimate contact was likely to be made, such as children putting pieces of timber into their mouth. CCA treated timber cannot be used for garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children’s play equipment, patio and domestic decking, and hand rails. Alternative treatment such as Naturewood ACQ is approved for use in these applications." 'Source: Osmose Aust. website'

There is a lot of misinformation about CCA treated pine out there. Understandably, concerns have been raised about the Arsenic used in CCA treatment. A lot of research has been done regarding its use and has found that if used correctly it poses no risk to health.

NatureWood ACQ Preservative (Alkaline Copper Quarternary)

Applications include: Decking, Garden furniture, Picnic tables, Vegetable garden sleepers, Handrails, Childrens play areas etc...

Advantages: Based on a Copper Alkaline treatment and does not contain arsenic. Can be used in more sensitive areas.

Disadvantages: Costs more than CCA. Not yet as readily available as CCA in all timber sizes.

All of our timber decking is treated with ACQ and we supply sleepers and most other timber with ACQ treatment on request.

More information can be found at the links below:

Koppers Performance Chemicals Australia Comprehensive information regarding treated pine.
ACQ Information Brochure - Information regarding use of ACQ treated timber.
CCA Information Brochure - CCA Information Brochure Information regarding use of CCA treated timber.
A3P Media Release - CCA - CCA Media release about APVMA's decision regarding limiting CCA use.