Luis Enriquez, Ecodek (Epwin Group), develops wood-polymer composite materials for exterior applications such as fencing and decking. Fire resistance is not generally required today for such applications, but may be required where they are used on balconies or near to buildings, particularly as external thermal insulation is increasingly present.
Fire performance of wood-polymer materials is currently being discussed in CEN 15534. Ecodek wishes to be ahead of developments with solutions for PIN fire safety treatment of its products. Ecodek is also today working on use of recycled materials, e.g. in Horizon 2020 projects SMART-Plant (fibres from sewage), GelClad (building insulation extruded aerogel from recycled polymers) and FISSAC (circular economy in the construction industry).
Ecodek has been based in Wales, UK, since the beginning, back in 2002, and has produced over 2200 km of wood-polymer composite decking. Ecodek decking has achieved BS EN ISO 9239-1 and BS EN ISO 11925-2 2010 fire performance and BS EN ISO 9239-1 smoke emission standards. Ecodek has a proactive sustainability policy including independently verified carbon-negative production, use of recycled HDPE polymer, zero landfill objectives and work with local wildlife and landscape organisations. http://ecodek.co.uk/