Clear radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) is widely used for fine millwork owing to its attractive light colour. However, kiln drying of radiata pine sapwood often results in the development of a brown stain causing substantial loss in revenues in New Zealand's high-value export markets. In this study chemical pre-treatments were evaluated for their ability to control the formation of kiln brown stain in the drying of radiata pine lumber. Of the eight chemical agents trialed, a reducing agent was identified to virtually eliminate kiln brown stain. Current research efforts are now concentrated on the development and application of a chemical pre-treatment process which could be used in industry, and will be discussed.

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