Minnesota Insurance

Recent reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the timber industry are close to reaching an agreement, the withdrawal of the sale of pesticides popular wood treated by pressure waves building materials industry . Such a ban would clearly be winners and losers - Minnesota and a company which is currently an increase of $ 5 million in equity is of the opinion that in the catbird seat.

It also raises the potential for a new waste recycling-based industry and jobs for Northeastern Minnesota’s Iron Range.

Apex International Group Ltd, a spin-off from Shakopee, MN-Minnesota Vinyl & Aluminum Systems, Inc. has declared that any form of movement, the dominant position of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) on the market bridges and rear Aires toys would be greatly clarify the prospects for their own product development - a replacement wood recycled and recyclable plastics.

“There is nothing there at the moment is replaced as lumber Apex,” said Wendy Anderson, the company Chief Operating Officer. “Our phone rings was Schneider (since the reports were published). It is the best that could happen that for us.”

Anderson said, what the building materials industry in a tizzy is a story, first broken by USA Today on January 31 that sales of CCA treated wood would be two to three years within a period of provisional deal between the EPA and lumber industry.The EPO has its concerns, that children play on wood on playgrounds or back in contact with arsenic, which leaches wood and skin. Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Arsenic is applying pressure on wood to protect themselves against insects.

The Federal Centre was the implementation of tests, such as arsenic, chromium and, like copper, wood for children. It has not been formally concluded. The pressure of wood claimed that the use of roofing sheets or mass regularly counter arsenic, most of the leaks. Many other countries, but also Japan, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Australia and New Zealand have limited its use or proposed restrictions, after the Associated Press.

In the meantime, the controversy around the CCA treated wood, hopes companies such as Apex, which the owners and consumers opt for wood replacement tissue. Approximately 75 billion board feet of pressure treated wood is in the national territory, particularly in decks and play sets fencing, and it is 4 billion dollars a year, according to figures by sector. Anderson said a phase-out is a great opportunity.

“CCA treated wood is a huge percentage of the market,” she said. “What we have is a product which can replace him. It is something quite pleasant. It can be used as any kind of structure of timber, it is exactly like a wooden 2 - for-4. Recycled One of the ingredients we use is flyash coal burning power plants. This is a recycled material, other than on landfills. ”

It is open to the range of products. Apex-Site to expand its courses near a coal plant. He began his research in Ohio, but has moved emphasis on the Northeastern Minnesota.

Apex is the analysis of production in the flyash Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset, and is weighing the former factory production Technimar and other nearby industrial areas, “said Michael Andrews, director of the Small Business Development Center in Itasca Development Corp. in Grand Rapids. “We had a very positive meeting with them,” he said.

Apex has also expressed the hope, at least in another area, which Laskin Energy Center near Hoyt Lakes.