Naturally high performance Accoya wood 

A question many people ask us about the moveArt product range is what exactly they are made from. The answer is a high performance wood known as Accoya. 

So far, so straightforward. And yet it’s anything but, because Accoya is not a type of tree. It is a man-made timber product. 

The process to create Accoya wood is somewhat complex, so rather than get all technical and confusing, we like to explain it in very simple terms. 

Accoya comes from the Pinus radiata, a fast-growing pine tree grown in managed forests. These trees are harvested once they mature, which generally takes around thirty years. 

After the raw timber has been cut into planks or beams, it is subjected to a modification process known as acetylation. This involves dipping the wood into acetic anhydride, which is like a very strong vinegar. 

The acetylation process creates an extremely stable and durable wood, which is highly rot-resistant and very stable across varying climates. 

During acetylation the cell structure of the wood changes, and as a result the cell walls block the absorption of moisture by as much as 80%. This change in the cell walls causes confusion for insects and fungi, and so they don’t recognise Accoya wood as a potential source of food. 

All of which means that Accoya wood is wood that won’t rot, it doesn’t warp of shrink, it won’t splinter, and termites and their insect friends absolutely hate it. Which is why we love it! Accoya® wood has an impressive life expectancy of up to 60 years when used in external applications.