Sustainable Hardwoods Technology Announced by MeadWestvaco, Chemco

An innovative line of sustainable and environmentally-friendly wood products is the basis of a new joint venture, EverTech LLC, launched this month by MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals and Chemco Inc. Evertech will manufacture and market Alowood, a new line of wood products based on the company's proprietary process for wood hardening.

Ferndale, WA (PRWEB) September 8, 2006 -- An innovative line of sustainable and environmentally-friendly wood products is the basis of a new joint venture, EverTech L.L.C., launched this month by MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals and Chemco Inc. EverTech will manufacture and market Alowood, a new line of wood products based on the company's proprietary process for wood hardening. The new products will offer a consistent appearance, milling performance and hardness competitive with rain forest hardwoods, without the associated environmental impact.

EverTech’s two parent companies bring a distinctive set of strengths to this business. MeadWestvaco offers depth of knowledge and experience in wood chemistry and the forest products industry while Chemco has proven success with its established wood treatment business and its innovative all-natural Everdex additive technology.

EverTech offers customers an attractive, cost-effective, environmentally-sound alternative to domestic and exotic hardwoods like walnut, rosewood and ebony. The Alowood product line, featuring EverTech’s Everdex technology, is made from plantation-grown sustainable softwoods, which are hardened to achieve the physical and aesthetic characteristics of traditional and tropical hardwoods. This combination of attributes provides a naturally-enhanced wood option for consumers, building contractors and architectural designers. Initial markets include wood flooring and other interior applications, such as furniture, cabinetry, molding and doors. Exterior applications, including decking, are under development.

EverTech is a 50/50 venture between Chemco of Ferndale, Washington (which developed the patented Everdex technology in 2005 and has already launched the initial marketing phase of the Alowood line), and established global market leader MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We are excited about the future of EverTech,” said Chemco President John Gibb. “MeadWestvaco’s partnership strengthens our position with a product we believe is poised to revolutionize the way the world looks at hard wood. Our global market reach is broadened, our wood technology expanded and our manufacturing capabilities enhanced. Our innovative approach to the market vertically aligns natural and sustainable raw materials, and our environmentally-friendly technology, with key distribution and manufacturing partners worldwide.”

“This partnership introduces an exciting new dimension to the wood products marketplace,” said MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals President Ben Ward. “EverTech’s two parent companies bring a distinctive set of strengths to this business. MeadWestvaco offers depth of knowledge and experience in wood chemistry and the forest products industry while Chemco has proven success with its established wood treatment business and its innovative all-natural Everdex additive technology.”

Production facilities for EverTech will be in Ferndale, Washington, Chemco’s current headquarters location, with support to be provided by MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals’ international marketing, research and development and technical support teams.

To learn more about EverTech and Alowood, please visit www.alowood.com.

Chemco is a worldwide leader in modification and enhancement technologies for wood products. Headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, Chemco was one of the early pioneers in fire retardant technologies for wood products. The company’s proprietary Everdex technology, which transfers to EverTech with creation of this new company, is a process that combines vacuum and pressure injection technology to replace air and moisture in wood with a natural additive. For more information, please visit www.chemco.us.

MeadWestvaco is a global packaging company that delivers high-value packaging solutions and products to the world’s most recognized companies in the food and beverage, media and entertainment, personal care, cosmetic and healthcare industries. The company also has market-leading positions in its Consumer & Office Products, Specialty Chemicals and Specialty Papers businesses. MeadWestvaco, with operations in more than 29 countries, has been selected for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, and manages all of its forestlands in accordance with internationally recognized forest certification standards. For more information, please visit www.meadwestvaco.com.

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