May 1, 2025 | Benefits & Use, History
Preserving wood with coal-tar creosote, an organic bioproduct of coke and steel manufacturing processes, is a sustainable and efficient way to transform wood into high-performing infrastructure. Creosote naturally distills out of coal at high heats and extends the...
Apr 20, 2025 | Benefits & Use
We’ve all heard the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle”: the Three Rs of responsible environmental stewardship. They are listed in this order for a reason: the most efficient way to approach sustainability and limit negative impacts on the environment is—firstly—to reduce...
Jul 18, 2024 | Benefits & Use, History, Industrial Revolution
At the turn of the 20th century, innovations in railroad technology spurred the development of new kinds of railroad networks centered around urban areas. These short-line railroads continued to depend on wooden crossties treated and preserved with creosote. And while...
May 29, 2024 | Benefits & Use, History, Industrial Revolution, North American Expansion
At the start of the 19th century, there was no Texas as we know it today. Rather, west of Louisiana—the French colony-turned-state at the conclusion of the War of 1812—was a dry and rugged patchwork of native American and Mexican-held lands. After two rounds of war...
Sep 12, 2023 | Benefits & Use, History
“Creosote” Used in Wood Preservation, Explained In the United States, the term “creosote” is pretty confusing. It begs the question: “What is creosote made of?” There are many substances referred to as “creosote,” which makes it hard to figure out which...
