| micropro® is a go! |
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MicroPro®, the most revolutionary new timber preservative technology developed in recent years has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for use in Australia.
The MicroPro technology is a micronized copper quaternary based preservative system manufactured by Osmose for timber products protected from termites and fungal decay. MicroPro treated timber products can be used in interior applications as well as exterior above ground, ground contact, and fresh water immersion applications. Typical uses include decking, fencing, landscaping and many other outdoor projects. Some of the benefits of the MicroPro technology include better corrosion resistance for code approved fasteners and hardware, lighter more natural colour, improved painting and staining qualities and MicroPro treated timber can be used in direct contact with aluminum building products. |
MicroPro is a proven technology which was first introduced in the United States in 2006. Currently, MicroPro is being produced in 80 treating plants with over 8 million cubic metres of treated timber sold annually in over 5,500 retail stores and home centers across the U.S.
The MicroPro treatment technology is the next generation of wood preservatives and is an alternative to ACQ and Copper Azole systems. Adding the MicroPro preservative to treatment plants can be done with minimal production disruptions and the Osmose PCS software is fully compatible. For further information and to discuss your individual requirements, please contact your local Osmose representative. Click the links below to download the brochures.
MicroPro Top Reasons Brochure
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| TARMAC SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PLANT UPGRADE |
In the last issue of our Newsletter, we described the attributes of the Osmose PCS automation system that is used by Osmose Customers around the world. The Tarmac Group, which consists of 5 core businesses, (2 in South Australia, 2 in Queensland and 1 in New South Wales) each operating as a separate and distinct entity has just installed the system along with some plant upgrades at their North Plympton South Australian site with great success. Here is a description of the work from Osmose South Australian Customer service Manager, Chris Tzioutziouklaris,
“Earlier this year, Osmose installed the PCS automation system into the Tarmac SA treatment plant. The PCS replaced a much older automation system which was installed back in 1997. As well as the Osmose PCS, other work done included some changes to the vacuum pump piping to make it more efficient, installation of a variable speed driver on pressure pump and new sensors and instrumentation. The results were remarkable, I think we managed to exceed the customers’ expectations!”
Not only did we make the plant more efficient, but the operators have a greater amount of flexibility with their treatment cycle options. Cycles are tailored to suit each product to ensure the optimum outcomes are achieved. Operators have full control of the system and can make changes at any time if necessary. The system allows for a massive amount of data to be collected, this includes production data, chemical usage, timber volumes, process times, and times between charges just to name a few. This data is used by the plant supervisor / manager to better manage the operation and be in-control of the processes.
The system also allows for the operators to track and find faults easily and quickly. Remote access by Osmose staff is also included and provides support and back-up if required.
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Grant Tucker, Technical Manager Tarmac Group writes; “Many thanks for the work last week done by Osmose and it’s contractors. We are pleasantly surprised as we daily discover the many benefits of the new Control System. The expectation was that we would have a fully automated control system and some kind of manual interface, data entry and record keeping. This we have, but also much more. The amount of control over the process is amazing To have support from yourself and the process engineer John Lord via broadband connection has been helpful and reassuring. The project was facilitated in less time than promised and in a highly professional and friendly manner. I enjoyed being part of the process, as did our operators. There are measurable savings in chemical usage due to less over treating and in less power use due to soft starters, better valving and process control. And of course its quicker”.
If you would like to find out more about the Osmose Process Control System (PCS) and how it can assist your business, please contact your Osmose state representative.
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CSIRO TERMINATES FOREST PRODUCTS RESEARCH AFTER
91 YEARS
In 1919, the Institute of Science and Industry (Later CSIR - the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and later still CSIRO - the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) accepted an offer from the Government of Western Australia of an annual grant and a site on the grounds of the University of Western Australia for the establishment of a forest products laboratory.
That was the beginning of a proud history of government sponsored forest products research in Australia culminating in a world famous Division of Forest Products. With a reputation for industrial innovation and research excellence, in its heyday it employed more than 300 personnel all working for the benefit of both science and the Australian forest products industry.
After many, many reviews, re-organisations and down-sizing, particularly over the last twenty years, we understand that just a week or so ago, the remaining 28 personnel still working on forest products related projects have all been given “potential redundancy” letters.
Thus, within just a few weeks from now, almost a century of forest products research will have ended.
As far as we know, CSIRO has not yet issued any statement of explanation or apology to the industry. (From TPAA newsletter, thanks to Doug Howick)
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STORIES
- MicroPro is a go!
- 2010 is shaping up to be a very significant year for our industry
- Tarmac south australia plant upgrade
- MEETING OF AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS COMMITTEE ON TIMBER TREATMENT
- New staff at osmose
- CSRIO terminates forest products research after 91 years
2010 IS SHAPING UP TO BE A VERY SIGNIFICANT YEAR FOR OUR INDUSTRY
Welcome to our latest edition of the Osmose® Compass newsletter. 2010 is shaping to be a very significant year for our industry. You will read in the newsletter about the issues the industry is facing with the ongoing maintenance and writing of standards and CSIRO’s decision to terminate the Forest Products Division. These issues are coinciding with the current review of the Queensland Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act where the Queensland Government is expected to report in the next few months whether it will continue enacting the TUMA legislation or whether it will repeal the legislation bringing and end to TUMA. Any end to TUMA will also call into question the long term future of the Timber Marketing Act of NSW. Thus, we are faced with the real possibility that the timber industry will lose our local independent research and product monitoring which so many in the industry have relied upon over a long period of time.
As for Osmose news, we are pleased to have received our MicroPro® registration as you will also read about. MicroPro addresses many of the concerns that the treaters and users of treated timber have with the current amine based copper systems.
We are looking forward to the markets for treated timber continuing to improve. While there has been some definite improvement in the structural timber market for house construction, the markets for rural applications of treated timber remain soft.
I hope you find the newsletter informative and as always we look forward to your feedback.
Thanks and all the best from the Osmose team.
Elias Akle, General Manager
MEETING OF AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS COMMITTEE ON TIMBER TREATMENT
The funding of Australian Standards has long been problematical with less and less support coming from Australian government and research and public organisations which have been the mainstay of funding and representation. Last year, Standards Australia suffered a funding crisis brought on by the global financial woes and as a result industry was asked to contribute the real costs for standards Australia to produce the standards. The end result of this was a stalemate between Standards Australia and a number of committees including the one that looks after treatment standards.
Osmose Australia along with Dr. Harry Greaves, Chairman of the Committee and Doug Howick (Timber Preservers Association of Australia) and other industry companies have been meeting with Standards Australia to work out a solution. In the end, Osmose and others have stumped up money to enable the current amendments to the AS 1604 series to go to publication with a meeting of the TM-006 Committee on the 10th and 11th of February enabling the amendments to go to Public Comment before publication.
Thanks must go to Doug Howick, Dr. Harry Greaves and David Marlay for their hard work in coordinating funding and interaction with Standards Australia. Special thanks go to Dr. Harry Greaves for his hard work in preparing meeting papers and the Standards for Public Comment and eventual publication.
NEW STAFF AT OSMOSE
Osmose prides itself on it service to its customers and this comes from a team of dedicated staff involved in all aspects of the business including product development, production, warehousing and delivery just to name a few. We are pleased to announce two new staff members in the production facilities at Mt. Gambier and at Geelong in Victoria.
Rick Heaver started with us in September last year and is working as a plant operator in Mt Gambier, involved in the manufacture and despatch of CCA, and Determite products.
Chris Edwards started in Geelong in October last year and is working as a Plant Operator, manufacturing and despatching Osmose LOSP and Timbercare products.
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