The borates are coming!

By Richard F. Jackson President/CEO

Y NOW most individuals either in or associated with the lumber or wood preserving industry are aware of an environmentally superior base for wood preservatives: borax.

What the industry insiders and their customers still do not know is when this widely acclaimed product will be available in the United States. Although this article does not give a time frame for the widespread use of borax as a primary ingredient in a wood preservative, it explains why borax treated wood is not available commercially and suggests that it will be introduced in a limited manner sometime within the next 12 months.

Borax has been used extensively in New Zealand and Australia for over 50 years and is an accepted wood preservative in France, India, South Africa and Indonesia. In the United States its anti-stain and antifungal properties have made it useful in conjunction with other wood preservatives used by saw mills.

Knowing the non-toxicity of borax and its successful use as a wood preservative, the obvious question is why aren't we using it in the United States today? There are five primary reasons:

(1) Borax, even after proper

Story at a Glance

Industry veteran optimistic about borates. . limited trial use within a year...research working out problems. nontoxic properties and preservative benefits of this major new development in treating.

preservation, leaches out of the wood if exposed to moisture:

(2) Other preservatives offer longer service life at lower concentration levelsl

(3) Some preservatives (such a creosote) offer qualities which make wood lubricated. water repellent and less brittle. This means poles are easier to climb, pilings are more easily driven and are less susceptible to decay or attack from wood destroying organisms and railroad ties hold spikes better;

(4) New Zealand, Australia, etc. are willing to accept a "less perfect" product due to the higher cost of alternative chemicals and chemical systems (i.e., pressure treating);

(5) Some manufacturers of wood preservatives currently in use have successfully stalled the introduction of borax for fear of market share loss. Research to combat some of the weaknesses mentioned above includes tests which attempt to:

(1) Establish time and concentration levels necessary to properly treat the wood; Establish specifications to allow treaters and specifiers to know their costs (as compared to other wood preservatives);

Slow or stop the leaching process; and

(4) Make the wood water repellent.

Some of the most recent research in regards to the reduction of leaching and the use of borates as a non toxic wood preservative have been

The Merchant Magazine done at Mississippi State University by Drs. Ramesh Vasishth and l)arrel Nicholas, whose new system's patent is pending. There is also research being done by several industry companies, including CSl, U.S. Borax Co. and Kerr McGee Inc.

At the latest meeting of the American Wood Preservers Association, the product was accepted by the group's technical committee. However, there were some later concerns over the amount of sodium that would be allowed and therefore full approval will be delayed. This could slow many commercial uses for one to two years.

Although there are many issues which need to be resolved, it is clear that there is a need in the United States for a borate wood preservative. In addition to its relatively nontoxic properties, borax treatment provides the following benefits:

(1) It is more easily absorbed in green lumber (although it would have to be covered in a wrap for up to seven weeks to properly distribute the chemical.)

(2) lt does not discolor the wood like copper and oil based preservatives (i.e., redwood can be treated and still maintain its natural color.)

(3) lt has fire retardant qualities.

(4) Consumer information sheets would not need to be issued nor would the product be subject to California's Proposition 65 rules.

(5) It is not corrosive to most metal fasteners.

(6) Dyes or chemical pigments could be added to the product to obtain uniform color if desired.

For these reasons, this product will be especially beneficial to the western lumber industry, allowing it to capture lost as well as new markets.

The major disadvantages of leaching and quality control will be worked out. F'ull scale use may be one or two years away, but it is expected that we will see some movement of the product within 12 months, even if it is on a trial basis.

4bout the author: Richard F. .lackson is the president and chiqfexecutive ot'/icer o.f PaciJic Wood Preserving o/' Bakers/ield, Inc. and 4rizona Paci/ic Wood Preserving. He previously worked ./br Wood Treating Chemicals Company, a subsidiary ol Monsanto which was sold to Koppers, Inc. -ed.