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Monday, 16 January 2006 | Elif Sungur
Revolutionary Wood Hardening Technology Wins Top Award
Alowood is an organically hardened wood made from sustainable, plantation-grown softwood timber, and is used as an alternative to traditional hardwoods. It was recently awarded Material ConneXion's "Best in Show", at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) NY Chapter's Center for Architecture at La Guardia Place in New York City. This event is held quarterly throughout the year, and presents the latest in innovative materials developed for the architecture and design disciplines. Applications for Alowood include flooring, cabinetry, millwork, furniture, musical instruments, mouldings, and doors.
January 11, 2006 -- Alowood, an organically hardened wood made from sustainable, plantation-grown softwood timber, was recently awarded Material ConneXion's "Best in Show", at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) NY Chapter's Center for Architecture at La Guardia Place in New York City. This event is held quarterly throughout the year, and presents the latest in innovative materials developed for the architecture and design disciplines. Alowood is manufactured by CHEMCO, Inc., a wood modification technology company located in Ferndale, WA. CHEMCO was first introduced to the event by Gordon Plume from the G.R. Plume Company in Ferndale, WA, an architectural millwork firm.
Over 25 new materials were presented and reviewed on merits of technology, innovation and sustainability by an 8-member jury, facilitated by Andrew Dent, PhD, Vice President, Library & Materials Research for Material ConneXion. Some of the other materials assessed included plastics that have the density and feel of metals, and compressed particleboard made from straw. According to Dr. Dent, the jurors remarked on the Alowood process's "versatility", "adaptive use of natural materials", the commendable use of "a more organic hardening process using no toxins" and an "innovative staining process". As "Best in Show" recipient, Alowood will be included in Material ConneXion's quarterly magazine, and samples will be on display in their Innovative Materials Libraries, located in Cologne, Germany; Milan, Italy & New York City, USA.
Alowood is a sustainable, FSC-certified alternative to traditional hardwoods. It is manufactured using a combination vacuum and pressure injection process that replaces air and moisture in the wood with Everdex, a patent-pending, all-natural additive made from cornstarch. The wood is then thermally cured in an oven, permanently locking in the additive. Alowood is capable of surpassing other medium to high-density hardwoods for durability and strength, such as Oak and Maple, while still maintaining the warmth, color and character that's synonymous with hard woods. Applications include flooring, cabinetry, millwork, furniture, musical instruments, mouldings, and doors.
About Material ConneXion
Material ConneXion is the world's most extensive resource for discovering new, innovative materials and processes. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Milan and Cologne, Material ConneXion provides architects, engineers, industrial and interior designers with access to the latest and most exciting materials from a broad range of industries that are often overlooked by or inaccessible to specifiers. For more information, please visit http://www.materialconnexion.com.
About CHEMCO & Alowood
Alowood is a product of CHEMCO, Inc. Based in Ferndale, WA, CHEMCO provides wood modification technology services to the worldwide market leaders in the wood products industry. For more information on any CHEMCO product, visit the CHEMCO website at www.chemco.us or phone 360.366.3500. For more information on Alowood, please visit http://www.alowood.com.
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