Environmentally Preferred Copper Naphthenate Treated Wood Now Available From J.H. Baxter

HOUSTON - May 13, 2003 - J.H. Baxter has started production of CuNap-8™ Copper Naphthenate thermal butt-treated wood at its Arlington, Wash. facility. CuNap-8™, manufactured by Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services LLC (Merichem) at its Tuscaloosa, Ala. facility, is a low environmental impact wood preservative that is an alternative to traditional wood preservatives.

J.H. Baxter of San Mateo, Calif. will now offer CuNap-8™ thermal butt treated Western red cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar. J.H. Baxter is a leading treated wood pole supplier to the utility industry specializing in wood treatment, chemical licensing and timberland management.

CuNap-8™ is highly effective against wood destroying fungi and insects and more than one million utility poles around the country have been treated with copper naphthenate. The EPA has classified CuNap-8™ as an unrestricted, general use wood preservative enabling it to be used in a large number of pressure and non-pressure applications.

“J.H. Baxter’s decision to offer CuNap-8™ as a wood preservative follows an industry trend in manufacturers transitioning to alternative wood preservatives,” stated Scott McNair, sales manager for Merichem. “It is a response to consumer and specifier concerns about the environmental impact of traditional wood preservatives.”

“J.H. Baxter is very pleased to be the first manufacturer in North America of Copper Naphthenate thermal butt treated utility poles” stated Georgia Baxter, President and CEO of J.H. Baxter. “This new development represents our continued leadership position as an environomentally proactive supplier of forward thinking products that meet the modern day needs of a changing market”.

J.H. Baxter has over 100 years of experience in the wood treating industry. J.H. Baxter provides a diverse array of products beyond utility poles and cross arms including wood piling, lumber and timber, glue laminated products, railroad cross and switch ties, highway sign posts, guardrail posts, and FRC poles. For more information visit J.H. Baxter.

With more than 55 years in the specialty chemical business, Merichem Company is considered a world leader in the production of high specification chemical intermediates and innovative process technology and engineering. Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merichem Company, provides a diversified portfolio of products and services including naphthenic acids, copper naphthenate, sodium hydrosulfide, catalyst and process technology to the chemical, refining, natural gas and pulp and paper industries worldwide. For more information visit Merichem.