Ecochoice aids dual project environmentally sound timber choice

Monday, 18 January 2010

FSC Plato Frake debuts in UK

The first project in the UK to use FSC Plato Frake has just been unveiled. Howarth Timber, stockists of the complete Plato Wood range have supplied Plato Frake as cladding boards for the exterior facade of Cumbria Partnership Foundation Trust's newly refurbished ten-bed psychiatric intensive care unit.

Director Mike Bekin, from Ecochoice Ltd, who act as UK agents for Plato Wood was delighted with the finished project and said, "This timber is ideal for such cladding projects and gives a beautiful knot-free result."

Platowood Frake is free from any chemical and offers a naturally durable finish. It requires minimal maintenance, is 100% recyclable, has a life expectancy in excess of 30 years and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Southend's Old Pier Head Rises From the Ashes

Fire-damaged areas of the old Southend Pier - the world's longest at 1.34 miles - have been repaired in a £2.5m construction project that was handed back to its community in October. Contractor Nuttall John Martin (NJM), a division of BAM Nuttalll and specialist timber supplier Ecochoice Ltd had to overcome significant site challenges while sourcing large volumes of environmentally certified tropical timber and constructing large areas of decking. Ecochoice, together with its Dutch partner Reef Hout, suggested and delivered large prefab decking panels in order to reduce assembly costs and meet health and safety concerns of laying boards at height over the sea.

With client Southend-on-Sea Borough Council stipulating that wood must be Forest Stewardship Council-certified (FSC), there were only certain timber species that could be used for this unconventional job, so it was a challenge to source the large volumes of tropical timber required. Ekki was supplied from Reef's own West African FSC-certified forest and sawmill operation, while FSC-certified Angelim Vermelho, introduced into the UK market by Ecochoice Ltd came from Brazil.

"The project is a fantastic showcase of social and environmental responsiblity, while also being cost effective," stated Reef's UK agents Ecochoice.

Other elements of the project included a new station and platform ramp, rail track installation, plus mechanical and electrical works.