A COMPOSITE timber and plastic product that is already widely used in other parts of the world is now being sold and marketed in the UK following the development of a new company by two Wharfedale entrepreneurs.

Composite Prime is the brainchild of businessmen, Dom Harrison, of Burley-in-Wharfedale and Charles Taylor, of Addingham and the venture combines their family histories in the timber and plastics sectors.

Taylor, who owns and runs Taylor’s Timber Centre in Bradford, is a third generation timber merchant whose family has been established in the timber industry since 1950, while Harrison hails from a family renowned in plastics.

His father, Geoff, in 1980 co-founded and many years ago floated Polypipe Plc, based in Doncaster and now the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic piping systems for use in the residential, commercial, civil and infrastructure sectors.

While first established in 2015, Composite Prime has since undertaken extensive research and development and is now targeting the UK decking, fencing and cladding sectors with a high density (HD) product range that utilises the latest composite technology to produce a long life, low maintenance material.

It is also said to be environmentally friendly, containing 100 per cent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood timber from well managed, sustainable sources, and recycled plastic.

Harrison said: “Although the product is a manufactured mix of wood and plastic, it has the natural look and feel of timber, combined with the strength and durability of high density plastic. It lasts for years and combats many of the problems associated with traditional timber products, such as discolouring, warping or rotting.

“While composites are already established markets in other parts of the world, they currently hold less than 5 per cent market share here in the UK, but massive growth is anticipated. Traditional timber decking has had a good run over the past decade or so, but forecasts are that composites will command 60 per cent of all UK decking sales within the next five years.”

Taylor added: “While our product range is only now beginning to break new ground on home soil, we are well placed to take advantage in an emerging market sector. We identified a niche, we know what our market wants, primarily in terms of quality, and we now have extensive stocks in place, coupled with a network of agents selling into timber and builders merchants, and garden centres.”

The company says it will also seek to develop new innovative composite products to replace traditional timbers. The website is https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/Jb88BC2XDwSM