Commercial trials with thickened boron preservatives "Diffusol™" indicate a number of advantages when compared to traditional methods of dip-boron preservative treatment. These include: (i) more even uptake and distribution of preservative on and within the timber; (ii) faster diffusion times; (iii) the treatment of gauged timber (though improved retention); (iv) saving in energy costs (heating of boron solutions no longer necessary and no burner maintenance); (v) improved sapstain and mould control during diffusion storage; (vi) the treatment of surface dry timber - overcoming the hydrophobic properties of surface dry timber; (vii) antisapstain formulated at time of manufacture - improved quality control and effectiveness; (viii) delivered as liquid - no bags to dispose of, no dust generated from emptying bags; (ix) reduced antisaptain chemical breakdown as solution is used at ambient temperature; (x) assistance in the treatment of high resin content species e.g., Pinus elliottii; (xi) reduced solution degradation (from wood sap diffusing into the solution); (xii) reduced aerosol effect during stacking; (xiii) cheaper manufacture - there is no costly flashing-off of moisture to produce powder boron preservatives. Forty timber preservation plants in New Zealand have adopted "Diffusol" in the first year of commercialisation.

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