Biotreatment makes Radiata more durable

A NEW BIO-BASED TREATMENT THAT could see Radiata Pine used more outdoors has been developed by Scion.

The new treatment is said to increase the durability of Radiata timber making it more suitable for decking, cladding, outdoor furniture and exterior joinery.

Unlike conventional preservative treatments like CCA, which contains heavy metals and poisons, the new treatment technology is eco-friendly and uses renewables obtained from processing agricultural wastes. While some modification methods to improve the durability of Radiata also make it more brittle, Scion says wood modified with the new treatment has considerable advantages for consumers, industry and the environment. It adds hardness and stability (resistance to shrink/ swell) as well as some durability (resistance to fungi) that rival and outperform some popular naturally durable hardwoods.

This technology creates an alternative for customers who do not want threatened tropical hardwoods, or wood treated with heavy metals. It also offers a range of natural wood colours providing options for designers and architects wishing to profile wood in their designs.

Treatment is applied by soaking and impregnating the wood with the patentpending, bio-based, aqueous formulation. Once heated it forms long molecules (polymers) in the wood to enhance wood stability, with benefits to hardness and durability.

Scion says our sustainably grown Radiata Pine is well suited to this process. It readily absorbs the formulation and is processed as long clear lengths of wood that would be internationally sought after for appearance timber applications.

The potential to increase export value with this technology is significant, Scion says. For example, adding treatment before export of New Zealand’s sustainably grown Radiata is projected to add 3-to-4 times the value of the timber product. Scion is now working with partners in New Zealand and beyond to commercialise the technology.

New Zealand would benefit from a greater range of sawn timber export products if onshore production of modified Radiata is embraced.

NZL