There's nothing new about penetrating epoxies aside from marketing claims. There's a whole line of thin epoxies designed to penetrate wood, concrete, ceramics, etc. To stop "rot" (fungal, bacteriological, chemical-photochemical or by multicellular organisms) one can replace the decayed piece, or use temporary bondings and/or chemical treatments to halt further breakdown. A penetrating epoxy would definitely seal and stabilize to some degree rotting wood, and penetrating epoxies and pressure treatment is commonly used. Those with ferro-cement boats experience spalling of the concrete from the expansion of oxidized rebars beneath (saltwater intrudes through the concrete, usually by cracks). The common fix is injecting thin, penetrating two-part epoxies into voids and along rebar areas. For metal, a whole family of epoxy paints are used, all being tough and flexible to a greater or lesser degree. When fiberglass hulls are laid-up these days, an analysis of the hull is performed for voids in the lay-up. When found, these are drilled and thin epoxy mixes injected under pressure to fill the space and bond the composite.

The good Rot-Doctor is implying that he's formulated his very own amazing epoxy. Where? In his backyard or kitchen? Oh, and does he posses the plethora of local, state and federal permits for his plant, too. Really, he's just marketing a line of epoxies and other products made by chemical plants, whatever the feedstock source.

The chemicals that are used come from a variety of feedstocks, and the processes are extremely varied. His "wood-based" implication is too vague a statement, and what is it specifically, he's not saying. The only common products from wood being turpentine (which was originally refined by destructive distillation from trees a long time ago and now assembled at refineries or made from hign-temperature destructive distillation of pulp), and cellulose and lignins? I think he's associating, in part, to the old maritime method of using pine tar as a preservative, and in part, the natural appeal to something derived from wood to market his line. I E-mailed a request for the MSDS of his products pursuant to 42 CFR 11001 et seq, 15 USC 2601 et seq among others.
You'll also notice that for wood protection, it's polyurethane coatings. Hmmm. Nothing new with that, either.
Can you tell that my last career path was as a regulator?

BTW: a pretty interesting historical overview of the role of pine tar as a preservation agent is at: http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-kaye-tar.htm

: I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on wood derived epoxies? I first
: learned about this yesterday while looking at the
: http://www.rotdoctor.com .

: Their site says "Featuring wood based epoxy resins that are designed to
: penetrate wood, resist and repair rot in all boat and home applications.

: Our epoxy products are formulated from resins derived from wood. They bond
: better, are tougher and more flexible than standard petroleum-based epoxy
: resins. You might as well buy the best."

: I like the idea of more flexible...