Market Winnows Treated Wood Alternatives

Perennial Wood met its demise due to the “challenging economics of the product market,” according to an Eastman press release, not because of the product’s performance. The product was a relatively new entrant in the market for alternatives to conventional pressure-treated wood, and it took the unusual approach of acetylation, in which reactive hydroxyl molecules in the wood bond with acetic acid, the main chemical in vinegar. Not surprisingly, the resulting wood smells a bit sour and can corrode some fasteners. Acetylated wood provides some termite resistance but is mainly used for decking and other applications not involving ground contact.

Accoya Wood remains on the market as an acetylated wood option. It is made in Europe and imported to North America.