Wood Products Treated with Protim® Optimum™ LOSP
Osmose Inc. is the world’s largest supplier of wood preservatives and wood protection products. Some of our products include copper, boron, and carbon-based wood preservatives.

Osmose Protim Optimum is a Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) sold to independently owned and operated wood preserving facilities in New Zealand. The Protim Optimum preservative system is designed to protect wood such as siding, moulding, and trim boards from fungal decay and termite attack. The LOSP products which are sold in the United States are also primed and painted to provide superior weather resistant performance. The preservative system consists of three active (carbon-based) ingredients, tebuconazole and propiconazole (fungicides) and permethrin (insecticide / termiticide), plus water repellent additives in a white spirits solvent system. This Protim Optimum LOSP preservative system is EPA registered (Registration no. 74405-1).

LOSP preservative systems have been used in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for over 40 years and have a proven track record as effective treatments for wood products. The Protim Optimum preservative system is widely used around the world for protection of building and construction lumber, millwork and joinery. The active ingredients in LOSP treated wood are highly leach resistant if the wood is exposed to water and moisture due to paint failure, such as cracking and peeling.

The solvent used in Protim Optimum is white spirits. The importance of using a solvent carrier is that the treatment results in minimal dimensional changes to the wood during the treatment process. The Protim Optimum treatment process is designed for finely finished wood products such as sidings and trim.

How are PROTIM OPTIMUM LOSP Treated Wood Products Produced?
The treatment process is carried out in a vacuum/pressure treating vessel. Following the treating process, the wood products are tested to ensure they have the required amount of preservative retention and penetration. The next stage of the production process is to extract excess solvent from the boards in a carefully controlled conditioning stage to ensure correct application and adhesion of the primer coating. During this stage, the solvent levels in the wood are reduced to less than 1.7% by weight, prior to priming.

To produce an LOSP treated wood product with superior weather resistant properties, the treated wood is then painted with two coats of a premium acrylic or alkyd wood primer. This unique production process produces a wood product that is protected against fungal decay and termite attack and provides superior weather resistant performance.

Working with the Finished Product
When working with LOSP treated wood products, there may be a slight odour from the white spirits used in the process. With properly processed material this odour will dissipate rapidly once the product package is opened and exposed to fresh air. The detectable odor threshold for white spirits is low, and can be detected at levels of less than 1 ppm in the air. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (Time Weighted Average – 8hrs) for occupational exposure to white spirits is 100 ppm in the air. White spirits air measurement levels taken at the wood treatment facilities immediately following treatment indicate white spirit levels less than 10 ppm.

Inaccurate and misleading allegations have been made in the US alleging hazards of using LOSP treated wood products. LOSP treated wood products are safe to use around people, pets, and plants when used as recommended. Wood products treated with Protim Optimum LOSP can be used in both interior and exterior applications.

Important Information:
• Do not burn preserved wood.
• Wear dust mask & goggles when cutting or sanding wood.
• Wear gloves when working with wood.
• Do not use preserved wood as mulch.
• Some preservative may migrate from the treated wood into soil/water or may dislodge from the treated wood surface upon contact with skin. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly.
• Dispose in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Coat all end cuts and drill holes with two coats of an approved zinc or copper naphthenate based end-sealing product.
• For more information visit www.osmose.co.nz.
• For full installation and maintenance procedures, consult the product manufacturer’s instruction manual.