The production of ESL® and ESB® does not use formaldehyde based resins or CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenic) treatments, but instead uses pMDI resins. Formaldehyde based resins tend to emit noxious fumes. The potential toxicity of CCA makes CCA treated timber environmentally contentious.
Alternative timber treatments such as CCA are less popular as their original application is potentially polluting and the “protected timber” can pose toxic risks to the environment.
Some countries and local authorities are increasingly concerned with the use of CCA treated timber and are strongly discouraging or preventing its use. Some are also regulating the levels of formaldehyde emissions permissible in domestic and commercial applications, and in particular when such timber is being machined.
The ESL®/ESB® process does not use formaldehyde based resins, making it especially ideal for sales in these countries or in applications where the lack of presence of irritating (if not noxious) levels of formaldehyde emissions is important.
