Timber iQ December / January 2022 | Page 31

WOOD WISE

Effective short-term protection from sapstain and mould

By Arch Wood Protection
Sapstain and mould in freshly cut timber can result in massive economic loss . Anti-sapstain treatment Antiblu 375 , provides a solution to sawmills to overcome such challenges , with safe , effective , and cost-effective short-term protection during storage and transit to domestic and export markets .

Sap staining fungi and mould are a costly problem in the wood processing industry . Left untreated , freshly cut wood is vulnerable to mould growth within 24 to 48 hours and discolouration from sapstain is noticeable within 5 to 6 days . Until steps are taken to effectively deal with the infection , the decay fungi will continue to grow and lower the grade yield of the wood , resulting in huge financial loss .

“ Wood that has been tightly packed for delivery is susceptible to conditions such as heat , humidity and rain which contribute towards a moist environment that is perfect for mould-growing . Even kiln-dried wood is not exempt from mould growth if it becomes wet again . The most effective protection during storage and transit for the domestic and export markets , is the application of a short-term preventative treatment , such as Antiblu 375 ,” says JJ du Plessis , senior business manager at LSI ( trading as Arch Wood Protection South Africa ).
Antiblu 375 is a leading anti-sapstain treatment used throughout the global wood processing market to achieve safe , effective and cost-effective protection of timber and wood products . The easy-to-use formulation mixes readily with water and is applied to clean timber by using either a spray application , dip or vacuum / pressure impregnation . The active ingredient is a Copper-8- Quinolinolate compound , which rapidly fixes to the timber to provide fungicidal protection .
When applied according to specification and combined with good inventory control practices , Antiblu 375 will improve the physical appearance and grade yield of wood . However , du Plessis emphasized that timing was the single most important component of this treatment to achieve bright and clean wood which is free from stain , mould or decay and therefore Antiblu 375 must be applied as quickly as possible after felling .
He added that the period of protection and effectiveness will depend on a number of factors such as the concentration and application rate , moisture content in the wood , the type of wood product , stain or mould pre-infection and the severity of the environmental conditions .
PROVEN PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
Antiblu is recognised by global markets as a leading brand in exceptional stain and mould prevention in unseasoned timber . Backed by 30 years of experience , Antiblu has a well-established history of successful sapstain control , when applied to standard in
Left untreated , freshly cut wood is vulnerable to mould growth within 24 to 48 hours and discolouration from sapstain is noticeable within 5 to 6 days .
clean , freshly cut wood . It is suitable for use on products destined for either the domestic or export markets and is not intended for the long-term preservation of wood in the end-use situation .
Wood that has been tightly packed for delivery is susceptible to conditions such as heat , humidity and rain which contribute towards a moist environment that is perfect for mould-growing .
ABOUT ARCH WOOD PROTECTION
Arch Wood Protection has been leading the way in wood treatment technologies for over 80 years , with leading brands including Tanalith ® and Vacsol ® Azure . Our mission is to help customer make the most of wood through the provision of tried , tested and wood protection products .
Arch Wood Protection ( SA ) ( Pty ) Ltd is an LSI company . LSI is a global specialty chemicals business with leading positions in Microbial Control Solutions ( MCS ) and Specialty Products Solutions ( SPS ). LSI ’ s MCS business is a world leader addressing six target markets : hygiene , home and personal care , paints and coatings , crop protection , material protection and wood protection .
ARCH WOOD PROTECTION www . timberiq . co . za // DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022 29