Top 10 Companies in the Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary (ACQ) Market (2025): Industry Leaders Shaping Wood Preservation

In Business Insights
November 06, 2025


The Global Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary (ACQ) Market was valued at USD 1.05 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.84 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This strong growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for eco-friendly wood preservatives, stringent regulations phasing out arsenic-based alternatives like Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), and a global surge in construction activities, particularly residential building in North America and infrastructure development in Asia-Pacific.

As the wood preservation industry pivots towards more sustainable and regulated chemical solutions, the focus intensifies on the key formulators and suppliers who are advancing product efficacy, environmental compliance, and application diversity. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary (ACQ) Industry—a mix of global chemical giants, specialized preservative manufacturers, and innovators leading the charge in durable and sustainable wood protection.


🔟 1. Koppers Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: ACQ-B, ACQ-C, and specialized wood preservation systems

Koppers is a global leader in treated wood products and wood preservation chemicals. The company holds a dominant position in the North American ACQ market, supplying a comprehensive range of formulations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Their deep integration, from chemical production to treated wood distribution, provides a significant competitive advantage.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Extensive R&D focused on improving copper fixation and reducing leaching

  • Strategic partnerships with major home improvement retailers and lumber suppliers

  • Commitment to expanding production capacity to meet rising demand for ACQ-treated lumber

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Global and United States Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary(ACQ) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Lonza Group

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: ACQ preservatives, Wolmanized® wood products

Lonza is a premier specialty chemicals company with a long history in wood preservation. Their ACQ formulations are renowned for high performance and compliance with stringent international biocidal regulations, particularly in the European and North American markets. The Wolmanized® brand is a trusted name for pressure-treated wood.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Development of advanced ACQ formulations for enhanced corrosion resistance

  • Active engagement in regulatory compliance across global markets (EPA, BPR)


8️⃣ 3. Viance LLC (A Rütgers Group Company)

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: ACQ preservatives, Ecolife® stabilized wood

Viance is a key North American supplier of wood treatment technologies. The company offers a range of ACQ products designed for durability and environmental responsibility. Their focus on providing complete solutions to wood treaters, including technical support, strengthens their market position.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Promotion of ACQ for decking, fencing, and landscaping applications

  • Investment in sustainable wood treatment technologies and practices


7️⃣ 4. Dolphin Bay Chemicals

Headquarters: Somerset West, South Africa
Key Offering: ACQ formulations, wood treating chemicals

Dolphin Bay is a leading supplier of wood preservatives in the Southern Hemisphere, with a growing footprint in emerging markets. The company is recognized for its high-quality ACQ concentrates and cost-effective solutions, catering to treaters across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Strategic expansion into high-growth regions with developing construction sectors

  • Focus on providing accessible and effective wood preservation for tropical climates


6️⃣ 5. Jinan Biochen Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Jinan, Shandong, China
Key Offering: ACQ-A, ACQ-B, other quaternary ammonium compounds

Jinan Biochen Chemical is a significant manufacturer of wood preservative chemicals in the Asia-Pacific region. The company produces various ACQ types, supplying the booming construction markets in China and neighboring countries with cost-competitive and reliable formulations.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Catering to large-volume, price-sensitive markets with efficient production

  • Adapting formulations to meet regional wood species and climatic conditions

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global and United States Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary(ACQ) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Goodfellow Inc.

Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: ACQ preservatives, fire-retardant woods

Goodfellow is a major Canadian supplier of advanced wood products and treatment chemicals. The company has a strong presence in the North American market, providing ACQ-treated lumber for a wide array of applications, supported by a robust distribution network.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Integration of wood treatment and lumber manufacturing operations

  • Focus on high-quality standards for both domestic and export markets


4️⃣ 7. Rio Tinto Borates

Headquarters: Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA (Borate operations)
Key Offering: Copper-based wood preservatives, including ACQ components

While renowned for its borate products, Rio Tinto is also a key supplier of copper, a critical raw material for ACQ formulations. The company’s role in the supply chain is vital for ensuring the availability and consistent quality of copper oxide used by ACQ manufacturers globally.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Sustainable copper mining and processing practices

  • Supporting the wood preservation industry with high-purity raw materials


3️⃣ 8. Foshan Liyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Foshan, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: ACQ concentrates, wood fungicides, and insecticides

Foshan Liyuan is another prominent Chinese chemical manufacturer serving the wood treatment industry. The company produces ACQ and other preservatives, contributing significantly to the supply of treated wood materials for both domestic consumption and international export from China.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Manufacturing efficiency to serve the massive Asian construction market

  • Expansion of product portfolio to include complementary wood protection chemicals


2️⃣ 9. KMG Chemicals, Inc. (A Cabot Microelectronics Company)

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Specialty chemicals, including historical involvement in wood treatments

KMG Chemicals, now part of Cabot Microelectronics, has historically been a player in the wood preserving chemicals segment. While its focus may have shifted, its legacy and expertise contribute to the broader landscape of companies with deep knowledge in copper-based treatment technologies.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Legacy of expertise in chemical formulation and industrial applications

  • Focus on high-performance chemical solutions across various sectors


1️⃣ 10. Osmose Holdings, Inc.

Headquarters: Peachtree City, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Wood utility pole preservation, including copper-based systems

Osmose is a specialist in the inspection, maintenance, and preservation of wood utility poles and other infrastructure. The company utilizes ACQ and similar copper-based systems for in-service treatment and maintenance, representing a critical niche application within the broader ACQ market.

Innovation & Market Initiatives:

  • Expertise in extending the service life of critical wood infrastructure

  • Development of specialized application techniques for in-situ wood treatment

Get Full Report Here:
Global and United States Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary(ACQ) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of ACQ is Driven by Sustainability and Innovation

The Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary market is evolving beyond being a simple replacement for CCA. The industry is now focused on enhancing performance, expanding applications, and improving the environmental profile of treated wood products to meet the demands of a sustainability-conscious market.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Development of next-generation ACQ formulations (e.g., ACQ-D) with improved corrosion resistance for metal fasteners

  • Increasing penetration in emerging Asian markets supported by urbanization and infrastructure spending

  • Growing alignment with green building standards (LEED, BREEAM) favoring environmentally preferable preservatives

  • Ongoing R&D into bio-based quaternary ammonium compounds to further reduce environmental impact

Get Full Report Here:
Global and United States Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary(ACQ) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential wood protection—they’re pioneering the sustainable evolution of the global treated wood industry.