How Arxada’s decarbonizing technologies keep wood stronger, safer, and more sustainable 

Arxada is a global industry leader in innovative solutions to protect our world, especially when it comes to controlling microbes. We offer one of the broadest portfolios of active technologies and solutions that cater to various industries. Our solutions are silent protectors you don’t even know exist in your everyday products. 

Unmatched science and innovation capabilities, in-depth regulatory expertise, and a track record in manufacturing and process development support the company’s wide array of differentiated products and solutions. Amongst the diverse end markets benefiting from these solutions, Arxada gives particular emphasis to the human health and nutrition, home and personal care, paints and coatings, and wood protection sectors. 

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the firm employs 3,200 individuals across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, playing a crucial role in driving the success of its customers. Our preservative technologies are all around us, in your toothpaste, your shampoo, the cleaning wipes you use to disinfect your kitchen counter. Preservatives are used to make useful materials, and they help keep our world clean and can help keep our bodies healthy. Preservatives, when properly studied and scientifically used/applied, enhance our lives often in unseen ways, one of which is by extending the service life of wood, an inexpensive, readily available, easy to install, and inherently renewable building material. 

Look around and it’s not hard to find preserved wood. In your home it may be the deck where you drink morning coffee on weekends, or the fence, garden box, or landscape timbers in your yard. When you drive, it may support the train tracks you cross, the posts on the guardrail or the utility poles and agriculture and vineyard stakes that you pass. In commercial construction, it may be unseen fire or termite protection in the interior framing. It’s the dock on the lake and the marine pier where you take your vacations. Manufacturing Today takes a deep dive into Arxada’s Wood Protection business. 

“Our Wood Protection business has a rich history spanning over 80 years,” begins Chad Taylor, Senior Vice President of Arxada’s Wood and Material Protection. “Throughout this time, we have remained at the forefront of delivering wood preservation technologies that enhance the performance and increase the longevity of wood. Beginning our journey with pioneering wood protection techniques, we now hold a prominent position as a worldwide leader in wood protection, catering to markets across North America and Europe, as well as Asia-Pacific, South America and Africa. 

Due to the sheer volume of our wood protection operations, we have facilities located across each of these markets. These sites are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which enables us to ensure the highest standards of quality in our manufacture of wood preservative chemistry,” he continues. 

It is within these production facilities that Arxada also develops the innovative solutions and services for which it is renowned. Chad describes some of the company’s flagship solutions designed to prolong the lifespan of wood. “Preservatives form a cornerstone of our product line, as they protect wood from mold, moisture, insects, fungi, smoke development, and flame spread. Our diverse portfolio enables us to serve multiple markets, including residential, industrial, and specialty wood applications. Innovation is at the heart of our operations, particularly in terms of product development. Noteworthy proprietary solutions such as Wolman E, AntiBlu, Tanalith, Dricon, and Tanasote are designed to shield wood from various threats while enhancing its natural beauty. For example, Tanasote is a modern, oil-based copper wood preservative that offers long-term protection for heavy-duty timbers. With deep preservative penetration, self-healing properties, and long-lasting water repellency, it is ideal in applications like utility poles and railway sleepers,” he states. 

Chad tells us more about the unique advantages of Arxada’s wood preservation technologies for end users as well as the environment, highlighting the strategies in place to further promote these advantages. “Preserved wood presents a multitude of benefits such as increased durability, resistance to decay and pests, and an enhanced aesthetic appeal. From an environmental perspective, preserved wood diminishes the necessity for frequent replacements, thereby conserving resources and lowering carbon emissions. In many ways, wood is a more environmentally friendly material than steel or concrete as it is a decarbonizing substrate. 

When it comes to wood protection, Arxada is devoted to crafting top-tier products that are not only exceptionally durable but also more sustainable. According to Chad, achieving such results necessitates an advanced research and development (R&D) approach, which Arxada excels in. “Our R&D strategy is centered around scalable solutions to meet our customers’ needs. We continuously review and improve our existing products while developing new solutions that align with regulatory requirements and customer demands. Additionally, our dedicated R&D team utilizes both local and global resources to ensure we stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing wood processing industry. It is worth noting that our sector is heavily regulated when it comes to ingredients, making innovation a challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, we view innovation as a chance to lead the way in creating better, more sustainable products. One of our key differentiators is our ability to navigate the complexities of multiple regulatory bodies on a global scale. We work closely with regulatory authorities and draw upon our extensive industry experience, leveraging both know-how and relationships.” Chad states. 

This nimble mindset is one of Arxada’s key strengths as it allows the company to adapt to all sorts of fluctuations and industry shifts. Reflecting on Arxada’s European footprint, Chad sheds light on the repercussions of recent regulatory adjustments on its endeavors within the European Union (EU) and the broader market landscape. “As of late, regulatory shifts within the EU have undeniably posed challenges. On the bright side, they also present avenues for us to innovate and evolve. We remain steadfast in adhering to these regulations while persisting in delivering high-quality and eco-conscious decarbonizing wood protection solutions.” 

In order to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, Arxada has recently expanded its footprint with a new facility in the state of Georgia. Scott Campbell, Senior Vice President of Integrated Operations, explains how this venture will empower the company to effectively cater to customers while addressing the escalating need for top quality wood protection solutions. “Although we already operated a manufacturing campus in Conley, Georgia, this new expansion adds significant scale to our current operations. This investment was driven by our promise to enhance our production capabilities and meet the increasing demand for our products. The reason we have opted to reinforce our presence in Georgia was primarily due to its strategically advantageous location, which enables us to streamline services for our customers throughout the region,” he enlightens. 

Through its solid commitment to sustainability, regulatory expertise and focus on innovation, Arxada is poised to retain its position as a global leader in wood preservation.  

arxada.com