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Terpene-based wood coatings deliver superior fungal resistance and weather durability
A new study reveals that terpene-derived latex coatings outperform petrochemical systems in fungal protection while offering comparable or enhanced weather resistance.
Wood exposed outdoors faces demanding conditions such as moisture, UV radiation and fungal growth. Petrochemical coatings have long provided protection but face sustainability concerns due to their fossil origin. A research team therefore explored terpene-derived latex coatings as a bio-based alternative for wood surfaces.
Opaque and semi-transparent terpene-based latex formulations were compared with a petrochemical reference coating. The samples underwent accelerated weathering in a Q-Sun xenon chamber, assessing chemical changes via FTIR spectroscopy and DSC, gloss retention and colour stability (ΔE). Resistance to the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans was also tested to evaluate biological protection.
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Enhanced UV stability with IBOMA-modified coatings
Results show that terpene-based latex coatings offer markedly higher fungal resistance than petrochemical counterparts. Opaque variants achieved colour stability comparable to fossil-based systems, while semi-transparent coatings were, as expected, more sensitive to UV degradation. Notably, formulations containing isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) displayed improved outdoor durability and UV stability.
The study demonstrates that bio-based terpene coatings represent a sustainable yet high-performing solution for exterior wood protection, combining superior fungal resistance with long-term aesthetic and structural stability under challenging environmental exposure.
Source: Carrère, M., Ecochard, Y., Stirling, R., Diouf, P. & Landry, V., Terpene coatings for fungal stain-resistant wood with enhanced resistance to weathering. Progress in Organic Coatings, 207, 109403 (2025).
