Leading woodcare manufacturer, Ronseal, has launched an innovative new range of environmentally friendly wood care products.

And to underline its commitment to the environment, Ronseal has linked up with The Woodland Trust with the aim of planting 8,000 trees across the UK in 2008.

Ronseal Eco is a high performance woodcare range which delivers long lasting results, whilst ensuring the wood in your home lasts longer.

Made from sustainable, renewable plant extracts which lower the level of crude oil derived petrochemicals, they are the easy way to care for the wood in your home and do your bit for the environment too. All products within the Eco range are water-based and have LOW VOC levels making them better for the immediate user and the wider environment. Most of the products are packaged in recycled steel and wherever possible products in the Ronseal Eco range are based on resins derived from natural plant oils (Castor and Linseed Oil) reducing the level of materials made from crude oil (petrochemicals).

The range includes an Eco Varnish and an Eco Floor Varnish for indoor use. For exterior woodcare Ronseal has developed an Eco Hardwood Garden Furniture Oil, Eco Decking Stain, Eco Shed and Fence Preserver and Eco 5 Year Timbercare Concentrate

The Castor and Linseed Oil used in the range are GMO free. The production and purification of Plant Oil products use less water and energy than the production processes of Acrylic Monomer products which are wholly derived from petrochemicals.

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading conservation charity dedicated solely to the protection of our native woodland heritage. From 1st March 2008, Ronseal will donate £5 to plant of a native tree in a Woodland Trust site in the UK for every household who registers their purchase of a Ronseal Eco product at www.ronseal.co.uk/eco.

James Smith, Marketing Director, Ronseal, said: "With Ronseal Eco, we have listened to consumers and produced a range of products that enhance and protect wood whilst using the maximum amount of sustainable materials in manufacture.

"The focus of this range is on products which perform better than current woodcare products therefore protecting the wood in your home for longer. All the products are waterbased, all have LOW VOC levels and wherever possible we have replaced materials derived from petrochemicals with those derived from natural plant oils."

Janice Hix, from The Woodland Trust, said: "Wood is a sustainable resource and its use should be encouraged - so products that prolong the life of wood such as Ronseal Eco are very positive. The UK is the least wooded country in Europe with only 12% woodland compared to 46% on the continent. We would like to encourage Ronseal customers to register their purchase and help us plant more trees for people of all ages to enjoy."

Further details on all Ronseal products can be found at www.ronseal.com/eco

The Ronseal Eco range is available now from B&Q, Homebase and selected independent retailers.