Marine wood borers cause huge economic losses by damaging maritime structures. Innovative laboratory methods developed by Cragg reduce the duration and cost of testing of wood protection products. Cragg’s methods and expertise have been used in commercial product development and process optimisation to deliver new wood protection treatments and inform treatment design. This has opened new markets and improved the profitability and commercial competitiveness of international wood treatment companies. The methods are being incorporated into the European standard for testing of wood and wood protection treatments. Technical data has been incorporated into international guidelines for timber procurement that have supported sustainable global forestry and the development of products with enhanced efficacy and improved environmental profiles.