In France Sodium Pentachlorophenol (NaPCP) has been used for more than 40 years for the protection of freshly cut and unseasoned lumber. The French sawmill industry requires a protection of 6 months and maximum 10% surface infection by moulds and/or sapstain fungi. However, this active substance did have some serious environmental flaws and no authorisation was granted for a direct contact of NaPCP treated timber with foodstuffs. During the last fifteen years many new formulations were put on the French market for the temporary protection of maritime and Scots pine. Many products gave varying degrees of protection (from a couple of weeks to maximum 4 months) and the required food-contact allowance was not possible with most of these formulations. For those reasons, DYRUP-XYLOCHIMIE put significant R & D resources into the development of a modern antisapstain formulation that met the efficacy requirements of the French industry, which had a favourable toxicological and environmental profile and could obtain a food-contact allowance without restrictions. A close collaboration with active ingredients suppliers such as JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA NV and TROY CORPORATION was obtained as well. An internal developed field test was used to study the comparative efficacy of several fungicides (azaconazole, propiconazole, tebuconazole, metconazole, IPBC, carbendazim, isothiazolone and quaternary ammonium compounds) against bluestain and moulds. Based on the field efficacy several combinations of IPBC, propiconazole, carbendazim and isothiazolone were finally retained. Official laboratory tests (NF X 41-547) succeeded by internal field tests revealed a good compromise for a new formulation containing propiconazole, carbendazim and IPBC. This formulation was then officially tested according to the French standards : NF X 41-547 laboratory test and NF X 41-549 field test. Toxicological and ecotoxicity data were also gathered and a complete food contact allowance was obtained by the French Ministry of Economy; Finances and Industry. The formulation was then put on the market as XYLOPHENE AS™ and has now been in practical use for more than three years in several French sawmills with satisfactory results.

Download document (72 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document