The Search for a Cost-Effective & Durable Alternative
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.
A Sustainable Future for Utility Poles
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.
Performance + Sustainability: The Benefits of Water-Based Preservatives and Polesaver
- Cost Efficiency: Water-based preservatives are significantly less expensive than their proposed copper in oil replacements, costing up to five times less per treatment. With lower material usage and easier application, utility companies can achieve substantial savings even with the addition of Polesaver.
- Environmentally Friendly: Water-based treatments are safer for the environment, reducing harmful chemical exposure to the soil and surrounding ecosystems. Polesaver further enhances this by reducing preservative leaching and shielding the wood from decay-causing elements.
- Improved Durability: The addition of a Polesaver Rot-Guard sleeve to a utility pole treated with a water-based copper preservative will extend pole life by at least 20 years, maintaining strength and reducing the need for frequent replacement.
- Regulatory Compliance: As environmental regulations become stricter, water-based preservatives and Polesaver provide a compliant solution. They help utility companies meet modern environmental standards without concerns over the potential restrictions that traditional preservatives may face now or in the future.
- Support for Sustainability Certifications: By adopting water-based treatments combined with Polesaver, companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, supporting certifications like FSC by reducing chemical use and extending the lifecycle of wood products.
- Cost-Effective Longevity: In addition to reduced treatment costs, Polesaver is a low-maintenance solution, drastically reducing the need for pole inspections and replacements; minimising long-term operational expenses. This makes it a cost-efficient choice for utilities seeking both performance and affordability.
A Path to the Future: Combining Sustainability and Performance
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.
Proven Effectiveness: Real-Life Test Data on Polesaver Rot-Guard Barrier Sleeves
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.
Get in Touch
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.
