This article examines pine chemicals - renewable, naturally occuring materials derived from the pine tree.
The earliest recorded use of pine pitch was in the 4th through 2nd centuries B.C. in Greece, Asia Minor and Egypt. Pine resins were used in the 4th century A.D. as adhesives for attaching colored stones to buildings.1 As the number of wooden ships in the European navies grew, so did the need for rosin, pine tar and pitch. These products, which were essential for waterproofing and caulking the vessels, became known collectively as naval stores, a term still used today. The high-quality pine chemicals available today were initially developed and produced in the mid-to-late 20th century.