Number

077-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

This substitution example is based on a patent registration document. The invention relates to a mixture protecting wood from moisture. The mixture contains crude tall oil or another oil containing free fatty acids and/or resin acids. Present in the wood protecting mixture is also at least one other substance from a group including native neutral agents of wood and salts formed by di- or polyvalent cations. The details for how to make such a mixture is described in detail below.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

skin/respiratory sensitizing
physical hazards
CMR

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Creosote is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). TBT-naphthenate has evidence of endocrine disrupting activity in at least one species using intact animals, according to EU database on endocrine disruptors. It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: Alternatives are not described completely, therefore only a few substances are assessed. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC) Crude tall oil, Betulinol and Prenol are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Description of Substitution

There are currently many formulations that are designed to protect wood from moisture. Many of these are however associated with negative effects on the environment. Examples of these are CCA-impregnation which uses copper, cadmium and arsenic as its main ingredients, and different derivatives to tributyltin such as tributyltin naphthalate and creosote impregnation. This case study describes an invention which is meant to provide an alternative to these substances with less negative effect on the environment. The formulation is not a biocide per se (such as the substances described previously) but rather a formulation designed to physically protect the wood from moisture. The formulation consists of an oil, preferably crude tall oil, some neutral agents of wood, e.g. betulinol, prenol or sterols and salts, formed by bi- or polyvalent cations, for instance calcium hydroxide oder calcium carbonate. An important aspect of the invention is that all the substances in the mixture are native to wood. After use the treated wood can therefore be discarded the same way as untreated wood. The neutral agents are added to the solution in a quantity of 0-70% of weight, preferably 40-60%. The quantity of salts added should preferably be 0,2-2% by weight. Several other substances can also be added to the formulation to change for instance colour or viscosity. The original document contains examples for mixing such a formulation. Note that the rights to the invention are owned by the Finnish company UPM. Information on contact with the company is provided below.

Case/substitution evaluation

The substitution described in this case study would help to reduce the use of several impregnation methods associated with negative environmental effects that are used today. The greatest advantage of the alternative is that only degradable compounds are used and wood protected with this method can thereby be discarded the same way as untreated wood. In this case study, the substance to be replaced (Creosote) is mentioned in the BVT Information sheet "Surface treatment using organic solvents". It is described as an alternative to solvent-based ones. Therefore, the substitution of creosote is innovative. The substitute is, however, only an invention and it is unclear how the formulation works in reality.

State of implementation

Pilot study

Date and place of implementation

2004, Finland

Availability ofAlternative

All compounds described are available on the market.

Producer/Provider

www.upm.com

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor
Research

Contact

Swedish Patent and Registration office www.prv.se

Type of publication and availability

Freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

The document is a patent application. Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION (FI) International Publication Number: WO 2004/022291 Date: 18 March 2004

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2004022291

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020