Since the mid-19th century, coal-tar creosote was the standard wood preservative for utility poles, valued for its durability and cost effectiveness. Over time, Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) took its place, offering longer protection but raising concerns over its chemical content. By 2004, CCA was banned for residential use in the EU and UK, leading to the adoption of safer alternatives like Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and Copper Azole.
Today, the utility industry is focusing on long term asset sustainability and exploring more eco-friendly preservatives. The shift towards greener alternatives has, however, increased the cost of treated poles, leading to a need for cost-effective, compliant solutions that maintain performance and durability.
As the utility pole market continues its transformation, driven by environmental concerns, water-based preservatives are emerging as a highly effective and sustainable alternative. Compared to older treatments like creosote or recently introduced, unproven copper in oil options, water-based preservatives offer several significant advantages in terms of cost, environmental impact, and ease of application. However, it’s important to note that water-based preservatives alone do not offer the same long lifespan as creosote-treated poles.
Water-based preservatives cost approximately 95€ per cubic metre, compared to 450€ per cubic metre for their copper in oil replacement. Furthermore, the quantity required to treat each pole is dramatically lower—just 30 kg for a water-based treatment versus 100 kg for oil-based treatments, making it up to five times more cost-effective. A shift towards water-based treatments not only reduces costs but also aligns with stricter environmental regulations.
To further maximise the effectiveness and longevity of wooden utility poles, Polesaver Rot-Guard™ full barrier sleeves provide a powerful combination of protection and sustainability. They are designed to specifically protect and maintain strength at the most vulnerable section of the pole—the ground line—where decay is most likely to occur due to the ingress of moisture and fungal spores. By using water-based preservatives in tandem with Polesaver, companies can drastically extend the lifespan of their poles while controlling costs and minimising environmental impact.
The utility pole industry is embracing a more sustainable future, driven by regulations and market demands for eco-friendly solutions. Water-based preservatives, paired with Polesaver Rot-Guard™ sleeves, represent the most cost-effective and durable approach for utility companies. This innovative combination delivers the performance needed to protect wooden poles from decay, while significantly lowering environmental impact and overall costs.
By adopting this solution, utility companies can balance the growing need for sustainability with operational efficiency and long-term durability. As the industry evolves, the integration of water-based treatments and Polesaver Rot-Guard™ sleeves offers the most effective way forward, ensuring a sustainable future for utility poles and the preservation of our natural environment.
Real-life testing has demonstrated the outstanding efficacy of Polesaver Rot Guards in extending the lifespan of wooden utility poles, which has proven that they maintain pole strength and increase wooden utility pole life by 20 years or more.
Polesaver is the leading manufacturer of products proven to extend the life of wooden utility poles, and has been working with utility companies globally for 30 years. Get in touch for more information or to arrange a TEAMS call with one of our specialists.
