Revolutions are somewhat rare in the timber preservation industry. It is typically more Darwinist than big-bang in its technological advancement; the traditional principles of copper amine timber preservation have evolved rather than undergone a seismic shift. Developed in the decade of Erno Rubik’s Rubik’s Cube, Sony’s Walkman, Fiji’s disposable camera and Steve Jobs’s Apple Macintosh, the copper amine preservative system’s fundamentals remain today.

Of course, over the past 30 or more years, the preservative industry has developed, reformulated and improved, introducing quaternary compounds and azoles in search of competitive advantage and something new to say. But until now the industry has not witnessed the revolution comparable to that of the aforementioned products which have been superseded, or substituted, by 21st century creativity and invention: Game Consoles, iPods, digital cameras and iPads.

Micronized preservative technology, developed in the US by Osmose, is in simple terms that seismic shift that fundamentally changes the timber preservation landscape. While the palette of active ingredients remains broadly identical (copper carbonate, quaternary compounds, azoles and so on) it is the production process and preservative delivery vehicle that have undergone a radical transformation. Rather than dissolving the primary biocidal active, copper carbonate, in an amine solution, Osmose’s approach, developed over 15 years, has been to micronize the copper carbonate through a series of complex milling processes to reduce the size of the copper carbonate particle, which is then suspended in a water-based solution.

The micronized technology brings with it some distinctive features when compared to current copper amine-based systems:

  • faster drying and enhanced fixation of active ingredients;
  • a clean, even, light green colour, weathering to a darker attractive honey-tan colour;
  • no organic solvents, setting new environmental benchmarks (VOC free);
  • improved compatibility with metal fixings and fasteners;
  • availability of a long-lasting MicroShades pigmentation system.

Unlike previous technological shifts driven by legislation, typically reacting to environmental and health and safety concerns (for example, CCA), the origins of the technology are proactive and firmly rooted in delivering an enhanced product to an increasingly environmentally and socially aware customer.

"MicroPro is a timber treatment technology which works differently, delivering at all levels of the supply chain," said Lee Christie, Osmose UK business director. "It ticks all environmental, performance, operational and aesthetic boxes."

However, the technology principles are nothing new and have long been applied in the pharmaceutical, paint and coating industries since the conception of the traditional copper amine preservative system. In fact, micronized technology, in the form of micronized zinc oxide, is even used in high-quality sunscreens.

Indeed, while micronized technology is a relatively new development in the European timber preservation arena, the MicroPro micronized technology is the predominant treatment method in the US and Australasia, with in excess of 20 million m³ of MicroProtreated timber product sold to date, the equivalent of decking the surface area of the UK threefold.

Furthermore, the adoption of the technology as an industry standard is gathering pace. Other industry players have recently acquired access to the Osmose MicroPro patented technology, such is its acceptance as the next timber preservative system.

Credentials and applications
While the aesthetic qualities make the preservative system a natural choice for visible applications (decking and cladding, for example), with micronized pigment systems such as MicroShades adding further value, its operational and environmental credentials mean that it is also the preservative system of choice for a broad spectrum of applications (landscaping, agricultural, timber frame and particularly outdoor children’s activity equipment and public buildings).

The introduction of MicroPro to our European customers is consistent with our objective to harness technology which can deliver tangible environmental, operational and product benefits to our customers, and more importantly our customers’ customers.

For many years Brookridge Timber Ltd has been at the forefront of the pressure treatment market and it was an early adopter of the new technology.

"After extensive research into the product, we were quickly convinced by the micronized process," said Neil Lush, sales and marketing director. "Customer reaction to the micronized process and its fresh appearance has been fantastic, with orders won purely on the basis of end-user preference for the MicroPro micronized appearance."

Paradoxically, in a society where appearance is paramount, it is MicroPro’s environmental profile that perhaps constitutes its greatest commercial attribute, enabling operational efficiencies and supporting commercial success, particularly in the specification sector. Micronized timber is both recognised by SCS, the international standards accreditation body, as an "Environmentally Preferred Product" and is Greenguard accredited for residential buildings and academic establishments.

In short, the commercial proposition of Micronized timber is more than its aesthetic attributes; it is also one of substance, which will undoubtedly shift expectations and the market.