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The American Wood Preservers' Association (AWPA) recently approved the use of copper naphthenate to treat oak and mixed hardwood crossties, according to Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services L.L.C., which produces the preservative.

A recent Merichem Chemicals study found copper naphthenate-treated ties were comparable to creosote-treated ties in resisting wood-damaging fungi and insects. The copper naphthenate-treated ties were installed on a heavily used Class I line for 15 years.

Merichem Chemicals reached an agreement with Osmose Inc. to jointly provide product engineering support, and market copper naphthenate to industrial, utility and commercial markets as a creosote alternative.