Colophony

Abstract

Colophony (rosin) is a resin obtained from different species of coniferous trees. There are three types of colophony, depending on the method of recovery: gum rosin, wood rosin and tall-oil rosin. Gum rosin is obtained from various species of living pine trees. The trees are tapped for oleoresin, which is then distilled to obtain turpentine as the distillate and gum rosin as the distillation residue. Wood rosin is produced from old pine stumps. Tall-oil rosin is obtained as a by-product in the sulphate pulping of coniferous wood. The supply of pine stumps for the production of wood rosin is decreasing and, today, the major types produced are gum rosin and tall-oil rosin. In technical literature, the term “colophony” corresponds to gum rosin. In dermatological literature, tall-oil rosin and wood rosin are also included in the term “colophony”, since the resins contain the same major chemical components and allergens and are used in various technical products, regardless of the source. In American literature, the term “rosin” is more frequently used.