12 facts: Q&A about wood preservation used in Lappset products

1. Does Lappset use pressure treated wood in its products?

Yes. We use AB-graded pressure treated wood.

2. What is pressure treated wood?

In pressure treated wood protective agent is applied to the wood in the impregnation cylinder with water and pressure. Preservative agent penetrates through the surface of the wood cells that might be exposed to the rot. Additionally, pressure treated provides protection against mold and insects, such as termites.

3. Why does Lappset use pressure treated wood in its products?

1. One of the secrets underlying durable high-quality products is pressure treated wood, a process that many leading ecolabels has included in its sustainability criteria. 
2. Wood is an environmentally friendly, renewable and ecological material. It withstands a wide range of climatic conditions, such as scorching sunshine, cold snowy winters and coastal humidity. When it comes to harsh weather conditions, pressure treated wood has proved to be the longest lasting material in actual service conditions. Without a pressure-applied wood preservation agent, wood might rot and mold very quickly, especially if it is in contact with the ground. 
3. Pressure treatment makes wood safer and extends its service life. It is also an ecological alternative. The use of pressure treated wood is sparing on forest resources, requires little maintenance, and shortens transport distances.
4. In addition of playground and sports equipment, pressure treated wood is used in outdoor structures, decks, jetties and power transmission poles thanks to its durability.

4. Where does Lappset procure the pressure treated wood for its products?

Lappset acquires most of its wood materials from PEFC-certified managed forests located in Northern Europe. Pressure treated products are made of pine (Pinus Sylvestris). 

Wooden playground’s, sports equipment’s and street furniture’s are produced at Lappset's Rovaniemi factory. The wooden packaging materials are ISPM-15 verified.

At the Rovaniemi factory, sawn timber is treated with a wood preservative in a closed industrial process in order to ensure a high standard of quality. The preservative conforms to the EU REACH Regulation and is approved by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency TUKES.

5. What advantages does pressure treated wood offer?

The experiences gained by Lappset in the use of pressure treated wood over the years have shown its many benefits. Lappset has been, and still is, convinced that the treatment of wood with an environmentally friendly agent protects wood components from rot, embrittlement and vermin, such as termites.

The raw material for pressure treated wood is pine harvested from certified forests in Northern Europe and its production is subject to strict quality control. 

Lappset's long experience in designing durable playground equipment combined with advanced quality control systems has made it possible to extend the guarantee for wood products with no ground contact from 10 to 15 years. Extending the life cycle of products is one of the most effective ways of promoting sustainable development.

6. How is pressure treated wood processed?

Pressure treated wood is produced under controlled conditions following the Nordic NTR quality criteria. In pressure treatment, the preservative is introduced into the wood in a pressure chamber by means of water and pressure. The preservative penetrates through the sapwood tissue susceptible to rot.

Lappset controls the entire pressure treated process in-house as part of its ISO 9001 certification regime in order to ensure uniform quality and process conditions. 

7. What agents are used to pressure treated wood?

The agent used for pressure treated wood is a wood preservative approved under the EU REACH Regulation and by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES). The preservative consists of a small amount of copper salts (approx. 2–3%) while the rest is just water (approx. 97–98%). Copper gives the pressure treated wood its greenish color. The agents are duly tested for safety and efficiency before approval for use. Finnish pressure treated wood does not contain arsenic or chromium.

8. Is it safe to use pressure treated wood in outdoor playground equipment?

Yes, it is. Tiny amounts of copper salts may be released from wood when wet. To absorb harmful amounts of chemicals, it would be necessary to maintain direct skin contact with wet playground equipment made of untreated pressure treated wood for hours. 

The wood preservative used by Lappset is safe for use in playground and sports equipment. Pressure treated wood can be finished with an environmentally friendly water-soluble paint.

9. What happens to scrapped outdoor playground equipment?

Lappset’s packaging materials and products that have reached the end of their service life can be recycled and/or incinerated to generate thermal energy. Where applicable, pressure treated components can be re-reused in structures. Parts that need to dispose of are delivered to recycling sites intended for pressure treated products.

Thanks to their modular structure, playground and sports equipment can be easily disassembled, which makes it possible to process and sort the various material fractions appropriately.

10. Can pressure treated wood be recycled? 

Yes. Finland has in place a recycling scheme for pressure treated wood. Scrapped pressure treated wood is taken to a municipal waste collection or processing site for disposal. 

11. How does the recycling scheme work?

Finland has a recycling scheme set up by pressure treated wood manufacturers. Scrapped pressure treated wood is taken to a special collection site for treated wood. From there, it is transported to a recycling terminal where any metal fastenings are removed. After that, the wood is broken up into chips. At the end of its service life, pressure treated wood is incinerated to generate thermal energy.

12. What is Lappset’s role in recycling pressure treated wood?

Lappset is part of the RINKI recycling scheme. Pressure treated wood components that have reached the end of their useful life are sorted and delivered to appropriate collection points. 

 Sources: websites of Tukes, Kestopuuteollisuus ry and Puuinfo Oy.