June 16, 2022
Archroma, a global company in sustainable specialty chemical solutions, has introduced a Siligen MIH liq, a new biocide-free wood protection technology developed together with the University of Goettingen in Germany.
Being a natural raw material, wood evolves over time, and that's what makes it so unique and beautiful. At the same time, it is a precious, sustainable, and carbon-storing resource that should not be wasted. Wood is especially sensitive to climate conditions, in particular moisture, as well as fungi, termites, and marine organisms. Over time, these can alter the wood strength, stability, and durability. Most treatments used to protect wood are based on biocides and can contain potentially toxic substances such as heavy metals.
That is why Archroma and the University of Goettingen decided to explore a solution to not only extend the life duration of outdoor wood materials, but also their appearance.
The result: Siligen MIH liq, a non-biocidal wood modification treatment to create more stable and durable solid woods, veneers and wood-based composites for applications such as windows, facade claddings, outdoor furniture, terrace decking, in-ground platforms, parquet flooring and marine applications.
“Our research has been focusing for many years on the development of new wood protection systems. With Siligen MIH we explored a system where the wood is protected against fungi and termites without the need of complicated treatment technology. Existing vacuum and pressure plants and normal wood dryers are sufficient to use this new technology,” said Professor Holger Militz, head of the department of wood biology and products for the University of Göttingen.
This product is applied by impregnation and subsequent drying. Siligen MIH liq impregnated wood can be dried and the molecules fixated at < 80 °C with the equipment already available at most production facilities applying conventional biocides. And the energy consumption is similar to most aqueous biocidal wood preservative treatments.
Wood treated with Siligen MIH liq shows excellent protection against decay fungi. Treated wood displays improved weathering performance and keeps its natural appearance with less discolorations and change in feel.
“We are very excited to collaborate with like-minded partners such as the University of Goettingen. The new biocide-free wood protection technology Silige MIH liq is a great illustration of ‘The Archroma way to a Sustainable World: Safe, efficient, enhanced, it’s our nature’,” said Miquel Vila, global head of new markets for Archroma.
Siligen MIH liq was introduced at the Annual Conference of the International Research Group on Wood Protection conference in Slovenia that took place May 29 to June 2, 2022.