Treated timber in demand: WPA Conference highlights growth & opportunity

Demand for treated wood is on the rise, according to presentations from builders’ merchants at the recent Wood Protection Association (WPA) annual event and conference.

Speakers from across the construction supply chain told delegates – at the conference held during a two-day event at Oulton Hall in Leeds last month – that wood usage is growing and as such, specifiers are increasingly recognising the importance of correctly treated products.

WPA Chairman, Steve Young

Gareth Nicholls, Head of Timber Category at MKM Building Supplies, reported that the company’s share of treated wood joist sales has grown from 57% of total sales in 2021 to 65% last year. He added that industry efforts to improve product labelling, provide dedicated staff training and raise awareness of fit-for-purpose treated timber will help further strengthen this sector.

Meanwhile, Paul Pennick, Procurement Director at the h&b Buying Group, said the treated wood sector should focus on delivering clear and consistent specifications and supplying authoritative data on performance and service life. He added that engagement and education of stakeholders – including merchants, architects and installers – should be a key part of the process, alongside greater collaboration throughout the supply chain.

Titled ‘Future-Proofing Demand for Treated Wood’ the annual conference also featured overwhelmingly positive interim findings from a major WPA field trial of British softwood fence posts. Presenting the results, Ed Suttie of BRE said: “This is real data, and it doesn’t get better than this,” especially for those making the case for wooden fencing over alternative materials such as concrete or metal.

Paul Pennick, Procurement Director at the h&b Buying Group

Fredrik Westin of the European Wood Protection Association (EWPA) provided an update from Europe, highlighting the growing priority placed on circularity and sustainability in EU policymaking. He encouraged the treated wood industry to collaborate in political lobbying and to promote wood as the sustainable construction material of choice, reminding the audience: “Wood locks up carbon – treated wood locks it up for longer.”

WPA Chairman Steve Young closed the conference by outlining strategic opportunities to future-proof demand for preservative-treated wood. He stressed the importance of understanding the changing dynamics of the treated wood market and the factors influencing production and sales. He emphasised that there’s significant potential to grow demand, with the WPA playing a central role in realising these opportunities.

Gareth Nicholls, Head of Timber Category at MKM Building Supplies

He added that WPA’s strategic priorities include:

• Improving supply chain and end-user knowledge about selecting and using quality treated wood products;

• Promoting the sustainability credentials of treated wood;

• Enhancing communication with external stakeholder organisations to build trust in preservatives and treated wood;

• Influencing UK government policy and carbon reduction programmes to favour greater use of wood protection technologies;

• Collaborating with organisations such as TDUK, Confor and the European Wood Protection Association to help achieve these goals.

2024 WPA Awards winners

The WPA Awards were presented during a buffet dinner on 7 May, with the following winners announced:

• Best Use of Treated Wood in the Landscape (sponsored by Accsys Technologies):

Winner: The National Autistic Garden, Carmine, Scotland – Accsys Technologies

• Best Use of Treated Wood in Buildings (sponsored by Timber Development UK):

Winner: The World of Volvo, Gothenburg, Sweden – Woodsafe

• Treated Wood Champion (sponsored by WPA Benchmark):

Winner: Josh Horsley, Koppers

• Treater of the Year (sponsored by Sika Wolman):

Winner: M&M Timber

Finalists: James Jones, Arboyne; Walford Timber; Palmako

• Best Kept Treatment Plant (sponsored by Bridewell Consultancy):

Winner: James Jones, Hangingshaw

Finalists: Dunster House; Palmako

About the WPA

The Wood Protection Association (WPA) acts as a technical and advisory body, providing guidance to the timber products supply chain, specifiers, contractors, engineers and architects on the best ways to ensure wood is fit for its intended purpose.

By actively promoting and developing technologies that enhance the performance and value of sustainable softwood products – through preservation, wood modification, or flame-retardant treatment – the WPA enables the timber supply sector and project designers to make the most of wood and realise its full potential.

The WPA is the UK’s lead body on all matters concerning wood protection and has a respected voice with many British and European standards setters. It also maintains strategic partnerships with other major trade associations to ensure a unified voice on key industry issues.

To find out more, see www.thewpa.org.uk