720085Light Stable Timber Pigmentation TreatmentClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKRialco will develop a novel process for the manufacture of a family of specialised colorant formulations consisting of a combination of dye and pigment technologies. Such a colorant would be chemically and physically stable when mixed with the standard preservative solutions that are used in the pressure treatment of timber. It will, most importantly, provide a level of performance in terms of colour uniformity that is currently only achievable using specially stabilised dyes, yet at the same time provide a degree of light stability comparable to a pigment coating. The only technique currently available for producing preserved, light stable, coloured timber, requires a two stage “double dip” process (timber is first pressure treated with preservative, thoroughly dried and then dipped in an appropriate pigment dispersion). Unlike standard pressure treatment, where the timber can be processed as a tightly bound “stack”, in one stage, a double dip process requires that the timber is treated in separate pieces - which is labour intensive. This project would result in an effective single stage pressure treatment that will produce preserved and coloured decorative timber that has significantly improved light stability when compared to current single stage technology. Since most preserved timber is destined for outdoor use and exposed to direct sunlight, such a development would create considerable additional added value both for timber manufacturers and their suppliers. Since 2005 the traditional combination of Copper, Chrome and Arsenic salts used in timber preservation have been replaced by a series of more environmentally friendly organic compounds based on Copper ethanolamine and quaternary ammonium compounds. When in a treatment solution however these compounds are extremely alkaline, highly corrosive, chemically aggressive and difficult to use. A key benefit of the project is that it will greatly extend the economic versatility of such chemicals.