Tricoya Technologies has broken ground for the first phase of construction of the world’s first Tricoya wood-chip acetylation plant at Saltend Chemicals Park, Hull (www.tricoya.com).

Tricoya wood elements, which include chip, fibres and particles, are used to produce modified wood panels, which can be used to clad buildings (including swimming pools) and to make surfboards, tree houses and sound barriers.

The new plantis being funded, built and operated by a consortium of companies including Accsys Technologies, BP Ventures, BP Chemicals, Medite, Business Growth Fund (BGF) and Volantis.

It has also received funding from the Green Port Growth Programme and from the EU’s LIFE programme. Construction should be completed in early 2019; the plant will then provide around 30 permanent jobs.