Koppers subsidiary expands wood preservation market share

Koppers Performance Chemicals (PC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based Koppers Holdings, recently expanded its market share in industrial and commercial wood preservation technology markets.

“Over the past 24 months, we have been diligent in targeting growth and delivering impressive returns in the industrial chemical sector,” Tommy Kyzer, PC Industrial Division vice president, said. “The market has responded favorably to our strategy, which is indicative of the progress that we have made.”

PC realigned its sales functions earlier this year into three channels to develop products for each sector, be more customer-focused, and provide greater leadership. The three channels are commercial, industrial, and residential markets.

Approximately 40 percent of the industrial wood preservative market uses the oil-borne preservative pentachlorophenol for treating utility poles, but regulatory changes in the United States and Canada have resulted in the phase-out of the chemical. PC helped users transition to its legacy water-borne preservative or its new oil-borne preservatives.

Since assisting with the transition, PC added 14 new customers in 18 locations and secured approximately $40 million in the annualized new industrial business.

In addition, fire-retardant product annual sales have reached an estimated $24 million and 20 wood plants in North America.