Utilities benefit from the first major innovation in treated wood pole protection in years.

UltraPole NXT - next generation utility pole preservative


The next generation utility pole is here, developed by Viance with innovations that benefit pole treaters, utilities, lineworkers and the environment.

The manufacturing of pentachlorophenol officially came to an end in December of 2021 at the last location in the world that made pentachlorophenol. Pole treating plants are working through their penta inventories while others have already converted to alternatives.

The active ingredient in UltraPole® NXT treated poles and crossarms, DCOI, has been standardized since 1989 by the American Wood Protection Association. DCOI is also the key preservative component in Ecolife treated decking and fencing, the leading non-metallic preservative currently on the market. DCOI is registered for use as a wood preservative and is also used in water treatment, paints and coatings, adhesives, vinyl roof membranes, vinyl flooring, marine upholstery, outdoor furniture, shower curtains and more. DCOI is effective against wood decay fungi and termites, is stable and leach resistant.

This environmentally-advanced alternative for utility pole treatment has many advantages over the traditional oil-borne pole and crossarm treatments. The DCOI formulation is an environmentally-advanced and a thoroughly tested preservation system, offering electric utilities a high performance, durable pole with minimal environmental impact. 

Viance has worked extensively to add DCOI for utility poles and crossarms to the AWPA Book of Standards as well as utility companies' standards. Viance's research with wood species added southern yellow pine, red pine and Douglas fir poles; and southern yellow pine and Douglas fir crossarms to the AWPA Book of Standards.

Benefits include:

  • Uses less energy, fossil fuels and water to produce, with lower eco-toxicity than other materials used for poles
  • Capitalizes on both the physical and environmental strengths of wood poles and crossarms, with less impact on the environment
  • Backed by a 50-year warranty against termites and decay and offer the industry’s only warranty for an oil-borne preservative 
  • The active ingredient, DCOI, is not a Restricted Use Pesticide
  • Is stable and leach resistant, and not persistent in soil
  • Is low to no odor
  • Has a wider range of disposal options at end of life

UltraPole NXT was honored as one of the most promising innovations in 2020.


Announced in R&D World magazine, the 2020 R&D 100 Awards recognized UltraPole NXT with two prestigious honors. UltraPole NXT was honored as one of the most promising innovations in 2020, and the special, additional distinction, with a Silver R&D 100 Special Category Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.


The renowned R&D 100 Awards list, now in its 58th year, is the industry’s leading recognition for the global R&D community, spotlighting the top 100 technology advancements of the past year. Submissions were received from 19 countries, judged by a panel of 50 well-respected industry professionals across the globe.

Troy Carpenter, Forman, J.F. Electric, Edwardsville, IL

Working to rebuild an electrical distribution line for South Central Power Company

“Unlike the other poles, these didn’t smell and they don’t cause me to sneeze.”

Brian Murch, Electric Distribution Supervisor

City of Painesville, OH

“The first thing I noticed was the poles were odor-free and dry to the touch.”

Scott Schneider, President, A Meredith Schneider Co.

East Point, GA

“As Penta is exiting the market, we approached finding a replacement preservative as perhaps the most important decision of our generation. After doing our research, UltraPole NXT with DCOI was the obvious choice for our company."

Mike Beech, President, Huxford Pole and Timber Company

Atmore, AL

“The UltraPole NXT preservative provides our customers more benefits that underpin excellence in quality and performance our business reputation was built on.

Archie McMillan, President, Baldwin Pole & Piling Company, Inc.

Bay Minette, AL

UltraPole NXT preservative is our preservative of choice to replace penta that is exiting the United States market this year. We are more than pleased with the benefits this preservative offers us, and our utility customers.”

Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance logo