New Composite Lumber is Based on Urethane Resin, Fly Ash, a Little Glass Fiber, and NO Wood
Nov. 7, 2005 - Southern California-based Century Products, LLC
has introduced LifeTime Lumber, which has the look and feel of wood
without the high maintenance. This "polyurethane wood", which can be used
for decking, fencing and barn construction, is made from a Baydur
composite from Bayer MaterialScience.
Century Products manufactures LifeTime Lumber, which its management claims represents a new generation of lumber products. Although it looks like wood, it provides low maintenance and longevity. Because of its polyurethane formulation, LifeTime also possesses an array of superior product features, such as resistance to termites, water absorption, and expansion and contraction. LifeTime is also supported by warranty.
The uniqueness of the "wood" lies in the urethane chemistry that is the cornerstone of the manufacturing process. Fly ash, an inactive waste product from electric utility plants, is the major component of the material. Other materials provide a combination of strength, weight, flexibility and resistance to water absorption, unlike wood or other composite products currently on the market. A polyurethane system from Bayer is the "glue" that holds the fly ash and other components together, providing a greater bond strength than that of natural wood.
Traditionally, the Lumber Industry has been dominated by
pressure-treated wood. While wood is inexpensive, easy to install and
structurally sound it requires considerable maintenance and is susceptible
to rot, warping, splintering and attacks by termites and other pests. More
importantly, it has been determined that the chemical used to
pressure-treat wood is potentially hazardous to the health 
of humans, animals and plants. The use of this chemical ended
in Dec. 31, 2003. Alternatives are likely to be less effective, more
expensive and promote corrosion of the fasteners and hangers used in
installation.
Many synthetic products have been introduced to the lumber market. Most are made from a combination of recycled plastics and wood flour or other cellulose based fillers. They claim to be near maintenance free and not susceptible to rot, warping, splintering and pest attacks. These traits appeal to the homeowner who wants more free time with his/her family. However in actual use these products have been found to experience many of the same problems as pressure-treated lumber.
LifeTime Lumber Products can be used on decks, piers, marinas, fencing, lanais, barn stalls, display tables, flower boxes, trails and pathways, picnic tables, garden chairs and table.
The polyurethane material for their synthetic lumber, which is offered
in redwood and gray colors, is ideal for applications around barns, pools,
docks and marinas. LifeTime lumber will not rot, has a class B fire rating
and is impervious to termites. The boards are not affected by climatic
elements that may cause thermal expansion and contraction; therefore,
boards will not warp, sag, split or splinter. Installation of LifeTime
lumber, which is available with tongue and groove, can be done with ease
using the same tools as natural woo
d.
Based in southern California, Century Products, LLC is the manufacturer of LifeTime Lumber Products made from recycled materials. Their Anaheim, California plant has been in productin for about a year, after a period of research and development on the product line at the same location.
Century Products was founded in 2002. Since, 2002 we have evolved steadily from research and development to shipping products to distributors. Its management team has more than 130 years of experience with a goal of creating an environmentally safe product.
Its mission was to create a long lasting product that would survive the elements. Its products will not rot, are impervious to termites, do not expand or contract and have a class B fire rating.
There are no harmful emissions from the production plant, the process is energy efficient, recycled materials are used and our valuable forests can be preserved by using these products.
At ACMA in Columbus, Ohio in late September, Bayer had this to say
about it:
Bayer MaterialScience's Baydur Composite Used in LifeTime
Lumber's "Polyurethane Wood" - Decking, Fencing and Barn "Lumber" Uses
Polyurethane Material from Bayer MaterialScience
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 28, 2005 - Southern California-based Century
Products, LLC has introduced LifeTime Lumber, which has the look and feel
of wood without the high maintenance. This "polyurethane wood", which can
be used for decking, fencing and barn construction, is made from a Baydur
composite from Bayer MaterialScience.
The uniqueness of the "wood" lies in the urethane chemistry that is the cornerstone of the manufacturing process. Fly ash, an inactive waste product from electric utility plants, is the major component of the material. Other materials provide a combination of strength, weight, flexibility and resistance to water absorption, unlike wood or other composite products currently on the market. A polyurethane system from Bayer is the "glue" that holds the fly ash and other components together, providing a greater bond strength than that of natural wood.
"Century Products is proud to bring these materials to market,"
stated James Mahler, Century Products' senior vice president of Business
Development. "The opportunity to create a product that is an improvement
over those already in the marketplace is rare, and we believe that
polyurethane wood is just the beginning."
The polyurethane material, which is offered in redwood and gray colors, is ideal for applications around barns, pools, docks and marinas. LifeTime lumber will not rot, has a class B fire rating and is impervious to termites. The boards are not affected by climatic elements that may cause thermal expansion and contraction; therefore, boards will not warp, sag, split or splinter. Installation of LifeTime lumber, which is available with tongue and groove, can be done with ease using the same tools as natural wood.
LifeTime Lumber products are "green," or eco-friendly - meaning there are no harmful emissions from the production plant; the process is energy efficient, recycled materials are used and valuable forests are preserved. "We're very pleased to be working with Century Products as they roll out their LifeTime Lumber line," said Harry George, business manager for Bayer's Specialty RIM group. "We believe the product line has great potential. We envision a tremendous number of large scale installations in both new and replacement deck and fence applications."
For more information on LifeTime Lumber Products, visit http://www.lifetimelumberproducts.com/ , call 760-634-6896 or fax 760-634-0795.
For more information on Baydur composites from Bayer MaterialScience, call 800-662-2927 or visit http://www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com/ .
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with 18,000 employees at 40 sites around the world and 2004 sales of 8.6 billion euros. Our innovative developments in coating, adhesive and sealant raw materials, polycarbonates, polyurethanes and thermoplastic urethane elastomers enhance the design and functionality of products in a wide variety of markets, including the automotive, construction, electrical and electronics, household and medical industries, and the sports and leisure fields. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision.
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, as of April 2005, Bayer employed about 16,000 and had net sales of 8.3 billion euros. Bayer's three operating companies - Bayer HealthCare LLC, Bayer
CropScience LP and Bayer MaterialScience LLC - improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance automobile safety and durability.
Contact: Nisha Mahler
Century Products, LLC
LifeTime Lumber Products
4405 Manchester Avenue, Suite 105
Encinitas, CA 92024
Tel: +1 (760) 634-6896
Fax: +1 (760) 634-0795
Bayer MaterialScience LLC
100 Bayer Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741
Tel: +1 (412) 777-2000
+1 (800) 662-2927
http://www.lifetimelumberproducts.com/
http://www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com/.
Columbus, Ohio, USA, Sept. 28, 2005