Promotion of Rubberwood
Processing Technology in the
Asia-Pacific Region
Proceedings of the
ITTO/CFC International Rubberwood Workshop
December 8-10, 2008
Haikou, CHINA
Editor
ZHAO Youke
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Rubberwood Utilization in China ...................................................... 1
1. THE RUBBER TREE PLANTING AND RUBBERWOOD RESOURCES ................ 1
1.1 The geographical distribution of rubber plants in China...................................... 2
1.2 The area of rubber plants ....................................................................................... 2
1.3 Rubberwood logging............................................................................................... 2
2. THE INFLUENCE AND STATUS OF WOOD SUPPLY............................................. 3
2.1 The influence and situation of natural rubber price ............................................. 3
2.2 The influence and status of the timber market ...................................................... 4
2.2.1 Wood demand....................................................................................................... 4
2.2.2 The trend of wood importation............................................................................ 5
2.2.3 The fluctuation of wood price ............................................................................. 6
3. THE STATUS OF RUBBERWOOD UTILIZATION ................................................... 6
3.1 The processing and the usage of rubberwood sawntimber.................................... 7
3.2 Sale of rubberwood sawntimber............................................................................. 7
4. STRATEGIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF RUBBERWOOD INDUSTRY
DEVELOPMENT.............................................................................................................. 8
REFERENCE .................................................................................................................... 9
Promotion of Rubberwood Processing Technology in Cambodia.......11
I.
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 11
II. FOREST RESOURCES AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO RUBBER
PLANTATIONS .............................................................................................................. 12
III.
RUBBER PLANTATION AND RUBBERWOOD PROCESSING
TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................................................. 13
IV.
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE WAY FORWARD........................................ 14
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 15
Status of Rubber Wood Processing and Utilization in India: A Country
Report ....................................................................................................... 17
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 18
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL ........................................................................................ 19
Global scenario........................................................................................................... 19
Indian scenario........................................................................................................... 20
COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION .................................................................................... 21
PRICE TREND ............................................................................................................... 22
CURRENT SITUATION................................................................................................. 23
PROCESSING................................................................................................................. 24
PRIMARY PROCESSING.............................................................................................. 24
Preservative treatment of rubber wood – State of art in the country ........................ 25
Secondary processing ................................................................................................. 29
THE KERALA CONTEXT............................................................................................. 30
R & D AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES................................................................... 31
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCTS ............................................... 31
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 33
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................. 33
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 35
Current Status of Plantation Forest Development and Its Utilization in
Indonesia .................................................................................................. 39
I
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 39
II
CURRENT POTENCY........................................................................................... 40
III
CURRENT UTILIZATION .................................................................................... 41
IV
STATUS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT........................................... 43
V
VI
POLICY DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................... 44
CONCLUSION................................................................................................... 46
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 47
Forest Plantation Development in Malaysia with Special Reference nn
Rubber Plantation – An Overview+ ........................................................ 49
ii
1.0
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 50
2.0
FOREST RESOURCE AREA ............................................................................ 50
3.0
FOREST PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT ...................................................... 51
4.0
RUBBER PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT..................................................... 53
4.1
Rubberwood as Forest Plantation Species .................................................... 54
4.2
Products from rubber wood ........................................................................... 56
5.0
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES......................................................................... 57
6.0
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES........................................................................... 59
7.0
STRATEGIES FOR THE WAY FORWARD ...................................................... 60
7.1
Enhancement of Sound Policy and Legislation in Promoting the
Development of Forest Plantation ............................................................................. 60
7.2
Providing Attractive Incentives to Further Encourage the Participation of
Private Sector.............................................................................................................. 61
7.3
Intensify Effective Research and Development ............................................ 62
7.4
Harnessing the Carbon Sequestration Potentials in Forest Plantation
Development ............................................................................................................... 63
8.0
CONCLUSION................................................................................................. 63
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 64
Forestry Department Sabah. 2007. Annual Report 2007. 148pp. ......... 64
Information on Situation of MyanmarTeak, Hardwood & Rubber
Plantation in Brief .................................................................................... 65
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 65
2.
CONSERVING FOREST RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT............................... 66
3. FOREST POLICY (1995 ).................................................................................. 66
4. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE............................................................................ 67
5. FOREST COVER AREA OF MYANMAR.................................................. 67
6.
SPECIAL
TEAK
PLANTATION
7.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................... 68
8.
PRIVATE TEAK
9.
PROCEDURE FOR PRIVATE TEAK & HARDWOOD PLANTATION.............. 69
PLANTATION
PROGRAMMER ( STPP ) ............ 68
POLICY.................................................... 68
10.
EXPENDITURES............................................................................................... 69
11.
TURN OVER OF TEAK PLANTATION........................................................... 69
iii
12.
EXPENDITURES ( ONE ACRE )
TABLE ( 1 )........................................ 70
13.
TIMBER OUTCOME
14.
INVESTMENT RETURN FROM TEAK PLANTATION ................................. 71
15
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 71
16.
SITUATION OF WOOD BASED INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR....................... 71
FROM TEAK PLANTATION TABLE (2).................. 70
17.
MYANMAR TIMBER EXPORT & SALE SITUATION ( 2003 2008 ) 72
18.
POTENTIAL SUPPLY & DOMESTIC DEMAND PROJECTION FOR TEAK ........... 73
19.
POTENTIAL SUPPLY AND DOMESTIC DEMAND PROJECTION FOR
OTHER HARDWOODS AND PIN ................................................................................ 74
20.
SOME FACTS FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR OF MYANMAR. ............................................................................................. 75
21.
RUBBER AREA OF MYANMAR ..................................................................... 76
22.
FUTURE SITUATION OF RUBBER WOOD INDUSTRY .............................. 76
Rubber Plantation in Nepal ..................................................................... 77
1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 77
2
METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................. 78
3
SITUATION OF RUBBER PLANTATION............................................................ 78
4
AREA UNDER CULTIVATION AND YIELD PER HECTARE ........................... 79
5
RESOURCES, PROCESSING, PRODUCTS, UTILIZATION .............................. 81
6
OBSTACLES TO INCREASED RUBBERWOOD UTILIZATION COMPRISE: 82
7
POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT.................................................................... 82
Status of Rubberwood Processing and Utilization in the Philippines 83
I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 83
iv
II.
DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY........................................................................ 84
III.
POTENTIAL VALUE OF AVAILABLE SUPPLY ............................................. 85
IV.
BASIC PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS .......................................... 85
V.
TECHNOLOGICAL AND WORKING PROPERTIES OF RUBBERWOOD....... 87
VI. UTILIZATION OF RUBBERWOOD ....................................................................... 94
VII. CONSTRAINTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF RUBBERWOOD ........................... 95
VII.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. 95
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 97
The Utilization of Rubber Wood in Thailand.......................................... 99
1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 99
1.1Forest sector enrollment........................................................................................ 99
1.2 Public and Private Engagement......................................................................... 100
2. PROCESSING, UTILIZATION & PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT ........................ 101
2.1 Primary processing............................................................................................. 101
2.2 Secondary processing ......................................................................................... 103
3. MARKETS FOR PLANTATION TIMBER PRODUCTS ........................................ 104
3.1 Previews .............................................................................................................. 104
3.2 Wood marketing ................................................................................................. 105
4. OVERVIEW AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................ 105
Machining and Coating Properties of Plantation Rubberwood in China107
1. MATERIALS AND METHODS ............................................................................... 108
1.1 Materials and methods ....................................................................................... 108
1.2 Equipment and parameter.................................................................................. 109
2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ............................................................................... 110
2.1 Machining properties ......................................................................................... 110
2.2 Coating properties .............................................................................................. 113
2.3 Machining properties and evaluation of coating quality .................................. 114
9 GENERAL CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 114
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................ 115
Rubberwood preservation by friendly preservatives ..........................117
1 RUBBERWOOD DEGRADATION .......................................................................... 117
1.1 Insects ................................................................................................................. 118
1.2 Stain and mold fungi .......................................................................................... 118
v
2 TREATING METHOD FOR RUBBBERWOOD ...................................................... 118
2.1 Fungicides and insecticides for the temporary protection ................................ 118
2.2 Long-term protection, preservatives and treating schedule .............................. 119
1. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS................................................................................. 120
1.1 Fungal species and their characteristic ............................................................. 120
1.2 Fungicidal formulations for stain control ......................................................... 120
1.3 Method for stain control..................................................................................... 121
2. RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 122
3. CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................... 122
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 126
1 MATERIALS AND METHOD .................................................................................. 126
1.1 Materials ............................................................................................................. 126
1.2 Preservatives ....................................................................................................... 126
1.3 Test sites.............................................................................................................. 126
1.4 Treating procedure ............................................................................................. 127
2 RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 128
3 CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 128
Drying Technique of Improved-Preservative Treated Rubberwood .. 129
1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 129
2 TEST METHOD......................................................................................................... 130
2.1
Test material ................................................................................................. 130
2.2
Drying characteristics test ........................................................................... 130
2.3 Rubberwood drying schedule test....................................................................... 132
3. DRYING SCHEDULE TESTING RESULTS ANALYSIS....................................... 134
3.1 Drying quality ..................................................................................................... 134
3.2 Deformation........................................................................................................ 136
3.3 Drying speed ....................................................................................................... 136
3.4 Rubberwood color after drying........................................................................... 137
3.5 Drying costing..................................................................................................... 137
4 CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 138
vi
The Rubberwood Utilization in China
Zhang Yisheng
Gao Ruiqing
Zhao Youke
Feng Shanghuan
J. Ratnasingam
,
Lu Jianxiong
Ye Kelin
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China E-mail:zys@caf.ac.cn
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China E-mail:ray@caf.ac.cn
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China E-mail:youke.zhao@caf.ac.cn
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China
Forestry University
Putra Malaysia
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China E-mail:jianxiong@caf.ac.cn
Research Institue of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing 100091, China E-mail:yekelin@caf.ac.cn
Natural rubber is one of the most important commodities in the world, and the world’s
natural rubber industry has been transformed significantly over the years, while its
market has become more open, with a greater degree of internationalization. The world
natural rubber production capacity is increasing remarkably, and the plantation area
and yield of rubber are fluctuated with the change of natural rubber price.
Consequently the production of rubberwood, as the other kind of rubber tree
production, was fluctuated accordingly. How to increase the contribution of the
rubberwood industry to the national economy through more efficient utilization, and
how to upgrade the competitiveness of rubberwood products compared with other
tropical wood by means of technical guidelines and demonstration, are the key points
for a sustainable development of rubberwood industry. To realize such a sustainable
development, this paper will focus on the Rubberwood sawn timber industry in China,
especially in relation to its market and development issues..
1. THE RUBBER TREE PLANTING AND RUBBERWOOD RESOURCES
Generally rubber tree is just suitable to be planted between 10 degrees southern
latitude and 15 degrees northern latitude in the tropical region, including Asia, Africa
and Latin America. The total rubber planting area is more than 9,000,000 ha in the
world, and more than 90% of which is in Asia, mainly including Thailand, Indonesia
1
and Malaysia. The other Asian countries with rubber plantation includes India,
Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Burma and Cambodia.
1.1 The geographical distribution of rubber plants in China
China has a successful precedent to plant rubber trees in the area of northern latitude
18-24 degrees, which is out of the tradition plantation area. Through developing rubber
planting in high degree of latitude region, China becomes one of the main nature
rubber producers in the world. The rubber plantations are mainly located in Hainan,
Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian etc., and the total rubber plantation area is
about 776,000 ha. (Table 1), in which Hainan province is about 402,000 ha and
Yunnan Province is about 334,000 ha. The total natural rubber yield in 2006 is 537,000
dry ton, which makes China to be one of five biggest rubber production countries. The
crude rubber yield of the Hainan and Yunnan covers about 46.01% and 49.11% of the
national total yield respectively. Yunnan province produces 150 kg/a per Mu (one Mu
is 666m2, or 1/15 ha,) dry crude rubber, which is in the leading level of the world. The
Xishuangbanna region is the main rubber production area in Yunnan province. The
resource of rubberwood from renewed rubber plantation is also mainly from Hainan
and Yunnan provinces. The quality of rubberwood from eastern and southern parts of
Hainan is not as good as that in Yunnan Province because of more occurrence of
typhoon in Hainna. For example, the height and diameter of rubber tree in Hainan
province are less than that in Yunnan province. Both the yield of crude rubber and
rubber log in Yunnan are about as twice as that in Hainan province.
1.2 The area of rubber plants
Currently the annual consumption of crude rubber in China is more than 2,000,000 ton,
in which about 550,000 ton is produced in China, and more than 70% of the total
demand relies on import. It is estimated that in the incoming 5-10 years the yearly
demand of crude rubber will be increased by 5-8%. However, the increasing potential
in crude rubber production in China will be very limited. According to the report by
Mrs Zhu Xiuyan, the Chinese natural rubber association president, only 1,000,000 ha,
which is less than 5% of the national territory area, is suitable for rubber tree planting.
Moreover, as a result of the weather condition and limited soil resource, the potential
of rubber yield increasing resulting from enlarging plant area is very limited in China.
1.3 Rubberwood logging
The rubber harvest season is from March 25th to December 25th every year in Hainan
province, and from April to November 25th in Yunnan province. The state-owned
rubber trees to be cut for renewal is usually 25-30 years after the rubber’s first
harvesting, and that for the private rubber trees is only 15-20 years because of the bad
2
cutting technique and poor management. Since the growth period of rubber tree lasts
many years, the supply ability of the crude rubber yield and rubberwood yield is hard
to be enlarged in a short time. Generally the average proportion of renewed rubber
trees is 1.5-2% each year, the maximum of that is 10%. The volume of felled rubber
trees for renew with diameter more than 5 cm in Hainan province is 4-5 m3 per mu and
that in Yunnan province is 10-12 m3 .per mu. So the total rubberwood log yield per mu
is from 75 to 180 m3 based on different planting sites. Suppose a 20 years of renewal
period, the total annual rubber wood yield in China is 800,000 m3-1,900,000 m3.
Generally the annual rubber wood yield in China is about 1,000,000 m3, while the
annual rubber wood yield is about 800,000 m3 in recent years due to the high price of
the crude rubber and the extension of rubber tree renewal period.
Table 1 the rubber plant area and crude rubber yield in 2006 in China
Item
The rubber plant area
In which, newly
planted
In which, available
for latex harvest
Output（Dry crude
rubber）
Unit
103×ha.
Total
FujianGuangdongGuangxi Hainan Yunnan
776.2 0.1
35.4
4.4
402.2
334.1
103×ha.
57.6
103×ha.
477
0.1
29.2
537,983.0
32
25,395.0
Ton
1.7
3
21.4
34.5
291.4
153.3
813247,505.0264,238.0
Source from: China agriculture yearbook
2. THE INFLUENCE AND STATUS OF WOOD SUPPLY
The factors influencing rubber wood supply are: 1) the renewal quantity of the old
rubber trees, 2) the renewal quantity of existing rubber trees for new rubber species
and new introduced forest management technique, 3) the cutting amount of rubber
trees due to typhoon, insects attack and freeze harm, 4) the influence of heavy rain in
harvest season on the cutting and transportation of rubberwood trees The other related
factors that influence the rubber wood supply include the change of crude rubber price
and the change of wood market condition.
2.1 The influence and situation of natural rubber price
The factors that influence the crude rubber price are as follows:
2.1.1 The supply of crude rubber in international market and the exportation condition
of main rubber producing countries
2.1.2 The international market trading condition
3
2.1.3The agreement by International Nature Rubber Organization (INRO) members.
2.1.4 The production and consumption of natural rubber in China.
2.1.5 The importation policies of natural rubber in China.
2.1.6 The production and the application status of the synthesized rubber, including the
market status of crude oil which has closed relationship with synthesized rubber
2.1.7 The development status of the main rubber application industry, such as the tire
and automobile industry
2.1.8 The season change, the climate change and other substitutes of agriculture crops
2.1.9 Political factors: The fluctuation of the policy and political situation
Currently the main influence factor is market demand. In the past 20 years, the
automobile industry in China and Thailand has been developing rapidly, whick
resulted in a big natural rubber demand and therefore an ever increase of the
international rubber price. Driven by the high profits, the Chinese rubber plantation
area enlarges quickly. The increasing trend is showed in Fig1 (The rubber planting and
harvest area in 2000-2006 in China). Among these 7 years, the average annual
increasing rate of new rubber tree planting area is 33.5%, and the average annual
increasing rate of plant area for latex harvesting is 1.89%. In the meantime, some aged
rubber trees which should be renewed are still serving for rubber harvesting because of
their quicker and higher profit, as a result, the rubberwood logging is postponed. These
cause the decreasing of rubber wood yield in the long term.
2.2 The influence and status of the timber market
2.2.1 Wood demand
China is a big country for sawntimber production and consumption, while the forest
(timber) resources per capita is quite small. Since 1998, wood from the natural forest
reduces gradually because of the Natural Forest Protection Policy. However China has
a large population, the demand of wood for infrastructure and related trade is very
huge. Therefore, the gap between wood demand and supply is becoming bigger and
bigger. The annual wood demand is estimated to be 300,000,000--330,000,000 m3.
The domestic timber gap between wood demand and supply will reach to more than
160,000,000 m3 if the log harvest is strictly according to the state quota plan. Based on
the annual analysis of forest consumption data, the biggest annual supply ability of
domestic timber is 230,000,000 m3 (suppose a over harvest of 120,000,000 m3 above
the plan), so the gap is at least 70,000,000--100,000,000 m3 each year. It is estimated
4
that in 2015, the total wood demand will be 460,000,000 m3 and the gap will be
170,000,000 m3. Now in China, the main method to shorten this gap is to import wood.
The annual wood demand in China increases by 1.5% every year. In this situation, it
will be helpful to make full use of rubber wood to minimize the gap between wood
demand and supply in China.
Total rubber
plant area
900
800
Area increased
this year
1000×ha.
700
600
Area
availabelfor
latex
500
400
300
200
100
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Year
Fig1 The rubber plant and harvest area in 2000-2006 in China
2.2.2 The trend of wood importation
Nowaday, more and more attention has been paid on the development of local
industry and environment protection by the government, therefore, more and more
strict trade protective policies have been made, which has a great influence on the
supply channel of China’s wood. The fact is, Malaysian and Indonisian governments
have made a policy to ban the export of all rubberwood and rattan primary products to
promote domestic furniture industry development. The rubberwood in China is mainly
from Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile the economic development ministry of
Russia has also approved a draft on increasing the log exportation tax from 25% to
80% in 2009, which was 6.5% in 2006. This will cause a great influence on the
Chinese furniture industries since 70% of raw material in China comes from Russia
now. As a result, some furniture companies begin to use more and more particle boards
and bamboo rather than wood. Meanwhile, North American wood market is greatly
influence by the American financial crisis. In this situation, more and more woods are
5
imported from Canada. China would feel more political and environmental stress when
the wood supply is heavily depend on the import. In this case, to use more plantation
wood resource and wood based materials will be a good complementary way. All
above indicated that the rubberwood market has a big potential in the future.
2.2.3 The fluctuation of wood price
The fluctuation of wood price directly influences the tropical wood production and
management. Currently the exchange rate of US dollars keeps going down, the timber
price in north America goes down. The price of timber from Africa also decreases
because of the descreament of total demand from Europe and China. The price of
Southeast Asian timber increases by 10% due to the rise in oil and corps price. The
timber imported from Russia decreases by 30% because of Russian new high tax
policy, therefore, the wood sales in Northeast China goes down. In the meantime, due
to the decrease of furniture export, wood demand for furniture decreases. As a result,
the final price of wood has somewhat decreased. Compared with other imported wood
which has the simillar usage, the rubberwood is lower in price, and is becoming more
and more popular. The price increased by about 100 yuan/m3 compared with that in
last year. Now the price of rubberwood timber is 1430-2400yuan/m3, the price of
Thailand-imported rubberwood timber is 2800-3300yuan/m3.
3. THE STATUS OF RUBBERWOOD UTILIZATION
The research on rubberwood economic value began in 1950's. The rubberwood is
named as "the ivory wood", its uniform color , beautiful wood grain, medium density
(about 0.6 gs/cm3) , homogeneous texture, good mechanical processing properties and
good size stability makes it to be a high-quality raw material that can be used for
furniture, veneer for decoration, as well as wood based panel.
The utilization of rubberwood as a sawntimber subjects to the preservative treatment.
The little size logs or branches are used for particleboard, plywood and medium
density fiberboard. Different specification and grade of the preservative sawntimber
can be acoordingly used for furniture, finger-joint glue lumber, blockboard, wood
modeling, decorated veneer and handicraft product etc. The preservative treatment is a
key technique for a the utilization of the rubberwood as a sawntimer. In China the
annual rubberwood output value reaches to 2,000,000,000 yuan, annually 1,000,000 m3
rubber timber is transformed from discard to treasure, which not only leads to
"alternative" protective effect to nature forest in tropical region but also makes profit of
rubber plantation.
6
3.1 The processing and the usage of rubberwood sawntimber
Because of the shortage of the timber resources, branches and small size logs (dia.5-20
cm) which are ocassionaly used as plywood or timber materials are fully utilized in
China as veneer for plywood or furniture materials. .The rubberwoods are usually cut
into a board in live saw with only a specific thickness, but are seldom to be cut with a
specific width or length, which depends only on the size of the log. The board used
for furniture is specified by such thickeness value as 3.5/4.5/5.5/6.5/7.5cm while the
length is generally between 1-2.2m, the width is not specified. The price of the board
could be as higher of 1.8 times which depends on its size. Short boards are usually
finger jointed or to be made into blockboard and furniture small parts. Some related
department is drafting standards for rubberwood sawntimber.
Large sawing equipment is not suitable for rubber wood due to its small diameter and
bend shap. Since the low labor cost in China, the rubberwood processing is a kind of
high labor intensive processing. The environment-friendly preservative treatment is
widely used in in big and medium-sized factories currently, and the furnace-type hot
air drying is used instead of normal kiln drying.. The residuals and most sawdust are
main used as furnace fuel , and sometimes the sawdust is used for mushrooms
cultivation . The non-dimension sawntimber (the width and length is not in specified
size) can well utilize rubber wood of different size, and therefore, is the main product
type of sawntimber. The recovery rate is about 60%..The imported rubberwood in
China market are mainly dimmension timber, which is 37% higher in price than
domestic rubberwood timber..
3.2 Sale of rubberwood sawntimber
The non-dimmension rubberwood sawntimber is packed and classified by the thickness
rather than its length and size. The trade of rubberwood tibmer is by the weight of
wood, like the trade of redwood in China.. The quality of rubberwood log in Yunnan
province is thought to has a better quality than that from Hainan, and therefore, rthe
price is 50-100 yuan/m3 higher than thar from Hainan province’s. The domestic
rubberwood sawntimber mainly comes from the Hainan and Yunnan, and the transport
cost is high. It costs about 130 yuans/m3 for the transport from Hainan, to the Zhujiang
River and 300 Yuans/m3 from Yunnan, and the transportation from Yunnan to triangle
region in Yangtze River costs 400 yuans/m3. Sawntimber transport cost takes up a very
big proportion in the price of Yunnan rubberwood. Half of Yunnan rubberwood
sawntimber is being second processed before the transportation to the consumption
regeion, Hainan sawntimber is mainly exported. Customers can get sawntimber by two
ways: one is to wholesell or retail in trade market, the other is directly from factory.
7
3.3 Rubberwood sawntimber for value-added products
The proportion of board with width above 15 cm and thickness above 7.5 cm is small
due to the small diameter of rubber wood. The length of the board is usually below 2.2
m. Much smaller branches or log is used for furniture pillars. Due to the great
difference in rubberwood diameter, the processing waste and branch is usually
processed into small size board, then bleached by heat water, and finally finger-jointed
into large timber whose price is 1800-4500 yuan/m3, which added 1.5-4 times value
after the processing. Other value-added methods includes producing small-scaled
woody ware, such as handicraft, toy, cutlery. One more value-added method is to slice
finger-joint timer into veneers (thickness 0.3-0.5 mm, and the price is 4-5 yuan/m2),
which added value by 2 times.
4. STRATEGIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF RUBBERWOOD INDUSTRY
DEVELOPMENT
4.1 Rational allocation of resources to ensure sustainable supply of rubber wood.
The rubber plant is mainly for producing rubber, it should be integrated managed
considering the integrated profits of forest output, rubber tree species, trees planting
and cutting programming. Besides the yield of latex, the yield and quality of
rubberwood should also be considered
4.2 The management and processing techniques.should be strengthened, and the
different processing scales should be supported. The processing scale depends on
collection and supply ways of rubberwood log. Currently the rubberwood processing
technology is not good in China, technique support is essential for a better processing.
For some places, more efficient and larger-scale manufacture is encouraged to be be
established. In this way, the rubberwood could be used in more efficient and
environment-friendly way.
4.3 Promoting the production of dimension timber.. To produce the dimension tibmer
or non-dimension timber is depending on the processing technique and rubberwood
supply quality in different factories. To produce more dimension timber is encouraged
since it usually menas a good quality and more added value.
4.4 The improvement in rubberwood preservative treatment techniques and
sawntimber quality. The rubberwood is easyly decayed and moulded. Exposed in the
open air, the green log with bark will be decayed in 1-2 months, the timber will be
moulded in 7-10days. Therefore, if the rubberwood can not be processed in time, it
8
must be treated by preservative. Presently the timber color will be dark after the
treatment, which degrades the quality of the timber. In addition, the application of
preservative treated wood is restricted due to the safety reason. All these needs
technique improvement in preserve treatment and drying.
4.5 Encouraging intensive processing instead of preliminary processing for more added
value. Application of rubberwood in the new fields should be explored. For example,
after adequate treatment, the rubberwood might be used as a high quality packing
material for international trade.
4.6 Regulaiton, rules or standard of rubberwood products should be made. Nowadays,
The rubberwood trades are carried out only under the agreement of both side. There is
no related standard on the specification, color, preservatives etc. Such standard should
be made soon to promote the development of rubberwood industry and to facilitate the
management of the rubberwood market.
REFERENCE
Song Chen.The exploitation present condition of rubber wood in world. The forestry
science and technology communication, 1988.3 P38 ～ 39s
Futures trading post crude rubber futures contract in Shanghai trades an operation a
manual
Xu Meiqi.The rubber wood exploitation foreground in the Chinese wood quality
furniture. The market report, in 1999 April 13th version No.6
Over 70% depend to import, can Chinese rubber's breaking through siege the sea south
have conduct and actions? 2007-12-2010:31:21 source from: Sea south
newspaper
9
Promotion of Rubberwood Processing Technology in
Cambodia
Chann Sophal
I.
Forest & Wildlife Science Research Institute,
Forestry Administration,
#40 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh - Cambodia
INTRODUCTION
The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) through the Forest Administration (FA)
has been consistently promoting its national forest policies geared towards
conservation and sustainable management of forest resources to achieve a maximum
contribution by reducing, if not totally eliminating, poverty incidence and thereby
propel the socio-economic development of the country. Within the context of
conservation and sustainable forest management (SFM) initiatives, a maximum
involvement of the private sector and participation of the local communities is one of
the major thrusts of the government, which is always being prioritized and emphasized
towards attainment of food security, poverty reduction and spur socio-economic
development activities.
The current socio-economic and demographic parameters of RGC are shown below
(Ty Sokhun, 2008):
‰ Total area of Cambodia is about 181,035 Sq. Km. or 18.1 Million hectares
‰ There are 24 provinces and cities, 185 districts, 1,621 communes, and 14,073
villages
‰ Total population is 13,388,910 (General Population Census of Cambodia
2008)
‰ Population density is 75 people per sq. km.
‰ Annual population growth rate 1.54%
‰ Total forest areas 10,730,781 ha (59%) in 2006, broken down below:
a.
Protection Forests
-Protected areas
-Protected Forests
4,534,032 ha = 25%
3,100,000 ha = 17 %
1,434,032 ha = 8 %
11
b.
Production Forests: 6,196,749 ha = 34%
-Forest Concessions :
3,068,888 ha = 17%
-Community Forestry :
309,354 ha =2%
-Other forests unclassified:
1,919, 225 ha = 10%
-Economic Land Concessions:
899,282 ha =5 %
II. FOREST RESOURCES AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO RUBBER
PLANTATIONS
Since early 1960s to 1980s, the government has been in the forefront of local
community involvement through participatory process in rehabilitating and
re-vegetating large tract of forestlands to bring back its forest cover. One of the
strategies in forest restoration is the establishment of rubber plantations in partnership
with the private sector and local people, such as the Chhub Rubber Plantation at
Tumring Commune, Sandan District, Kampong Thom Province covering 6,200
hectares, which has been expanded into other towns and provinces, and generated
foreign exchange and employment for ten of thousands of local forest and agricultural
workers. This is crucial not only in terms of improving the private sector economic
standing, but also in rehabilitating and restoring the ecological balance in the region
(Lang Hokleng, 2008).
In recent forestry reform law, the RGC’s forestry policy is to ensure sustainable
forestry management and the use of forests to improve the livelihoods of people living
in rural areas and to contribute to economic growth. The RGC has imposed logging
ban since 2002, and established protected/conservation areas by more than 25% of
total country area, undertaken tree planting & forestation, conduct forest demarcation,
develop community forestry, and taken strict measures to prevent and eradicate illegal
activities in logging, poaching and forestland clearing, and undertake continuous
public awareness education and advocacy activities.
Since forest is crucial for the livelihoods of the people, the RGC will enhance
management efficiency of the development, including eco-tourism activities, for
generation of local employment and additional income for the local people and private
sector. The RGC also mobilizes resources, provide support and financing to participate
in global efforts to address challenges in reducing emission through reforestation and
rehabilitation of degraded forestlands (Ty Sokhun, 2008)
12
In view of current forest policies of the government, it is expected to grow rubber trees
in about 400,000 hectares between 2008 until 2030, with an annual plantation of
10,000 hectares throughout the country (Director Ly Pholla, 2008), citing the progress
of rubber tree cultivation in private land and household settings initiated by Chhub
Rubber Plantation Company in Kampong Thom. Likewise, in Preah Vihear Province,
about 200,000 hectares are envisioned over the next years with available potential
investors and available land for growing rubber trees, as shown in production forest
data above.
The Asian Region is currently the main source and consumer of natural rubber, called
rubber latex, with the largest producers located in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand,
though Vietnam has seen increased production as well. It has been observed that
rubber tree cultivation is now increasing across the nation, and with the current policies
of the government promoting this strategy and the available land resources, Cambodia
is likely to expand rubber tree growing and become a rubber latex producer in the near
future.
III. RUBBER PLANTATION
TECHNOLOGY
AND
RUBBERWOOD
PROCESSING
It is clear that planting rubber trees has widespread benefits to the people and the
surrounding environment, as discussed earlier. The rubber-based agro-forestry involves
a complex and diverse cropping system (or multi-cropping) that combines the growing
of rubber and other agricultural crops in the area in a sustainable manner. Although,
the common management system of rubber plantations is to produce the latex, and
therefore they are planted with a spacing of 3m by 6m (or 555 trees per hectare). The
tapping activities commence at 5 to 7 years for natural latex, with 3 days tapping in a
week (Khun Kakada, et.al., 2008)
In 2007, to promote the planting of rubber trees, the government decided to grant the
concession of about 250,000 hectares of land for cities and provinces to grow them.
Currently, Cambodia has a total rubber crop of nearly 70,000 hectares, which yields
about 40,000 to 50,000 tons of dry resin per year. Rubber resin currently costs about
US$2,600 per ton (Lang Hokleng, 2008)
According to studies and observations, the rubber trees start declining its production of
natural latex at the age of 25 to 30 years after planting, and therefore to
re-plant/reforest the areas again. In the meantime, there is a need to commercially
utilize the old trees or “senile” rubber trees by converting them into its by-products,
13
such as wood furniture and fixtures. Of the rubberwood, around sixty-one (61)
by-products were reported to be made, with attractive colors and easy workable
designs, commanding a high-competitive price.
It is, therefore, of great interest for the government to promote the processing
technology for rubberwood as an alternative source of wood raw materials for
production since the 2002 harvesting ban in production forest areas in the country.
IV. RECOMMENDATION FOR THE WAY FORWARD
The focus of forest management has shifted from exploitation to multiple uses from
timber production to conservation. Sustainable management of forest resources
increasingly needs to integrate bio-diversity conservation, watershed protection and the
increasing demands of society and of communities from local to global levels,
especially in terms of rubberwood plantations and its commercial latex and wood
utilization.
It is also imperative to continue supporting the implementation of the five (5) main
objectives within the national forestry goals/objectives of RGC regarding its forest
resources, including rubber tree plantations and its by-products (Ty Sokhun, 2008),
such as:
14
•
Conservation and sustainable management of forest resources to achieve a
maximum contribution to poverty reduction and socio-economic development
of the country, as well as climate change mitigation;
•
The remaining forest resources of the country shall be considered as
Permanent Forest Estate and managed in a sustainable way;
•
Within the context of conservation and sustainable forest management
initiatives, a maximum involvement of the private sector and participation of
the local population shall be achieved in order to ensure food security, poverty
reduction and socio-economic development;
•
A wide range of coordinated multi-stakeholder processes shall be
implemented to enable the harmonization of the different perceptions, interests
and objectives of the various forest interest groups at all levels; and
•
To continue to support forestation/restoration of arable land and to protect
those existing commercial trees and plantations for the development of forest
resources.
REFERENCES
Khun, Kakada, Nobuya Mizoue, Pheng Muthavy, Lim Khantiva, Koichiro Gyokusen,
Shinya Koga, Akira Shigematsu, Yin Song and Shigejiro Yoshida. 2008.
Multiple Function of Rubber Plantation As Forest and Wood Resources. Asia
Forest Workshop 2008 held at Phnom Penh Hotel, Cambodia on November
20-21, 2008.17 pp.
Lang Hokleng, 2008. Cambodia expects to grow rubber trees on 400,000 hectares of
land by 2030. http:/www.cambodiantown. com/newslwelve .htm.
Ty Sokhun, 2008. Forest Management and Environment in Cambodia. Paper presented
at the Asia Forest Workshop 2008 held at Phnom Penh Hotel, Cambodia on
November 20-21, 2008.17 pp.
15
Status of Rubber Wood Processing and Utilization in
India: A Country Report
T. K. Dhamodaran
Scientist (Wood Science and Technology),
Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi – 680 653, Kerala, India, E-mail:tkd@kfri.org
Abstract: With a current area of 5, 83,000 hectares, under rubber plantations, India
stands fourth in the world in the production of rubber wood, out of which 87 per cent
is from small holdings. With an average of about 250 trees per hectare in the final
felling stage, the average timber yield per tree from the Indian plantations is estimated
to be around 0.65 m3, out of which 40 per cent goes to branch wood. The present
availability of rubber wood in the country is estimated to be 1.6 million cubic metres
per year. With an annual requirement of 40 million cubic metres of timber against a
domestic availability of 29.25 million cubic metres, rubber wood had the potential to
offer around 2 per cent of the country’s timber requirement, so as to save a foreign
exchange in the tune of US $ 200 million per year and generation of direct
employment in the order of 2, 00,000 coupled with the environmental benefit of saving
20,000 hectares of the rain forests of the country on an annual basis. About 33 per
cent of the total stem wood is found available in the country for secondary processing
whereas the existing industries in the country consume only about one-tenth of the
available raw material. The major share of rubber wood is being utilized in the country
for the manufacture of less value added products like packing cases (45%), followed
by plywood industry (29%), safety matches and others (5%); the share of treated wood
sector for secondary processing for the manufacture of value-added finished products
is only 21 per cent. Therefore, it is essential to streamline the policies required for
maximum value-added utilization of this precious non-conventional timber resource.
The present price of logs per tonne is around Rs. 3, 400/- ; sawn timber costs about Rs.
475/- per cubic feet. The price of logs is found slowly increasing whereas the price of
sawn timber remains more or less stable during the last three years. The present figure
for the per tree (with an average weight of 0.5 tonne) price is around Rs. 1250/-; the
highest in the track record. Due to the present high price of sheet rubber (Rs. 130/- per
kg) there exists a general unwillingness among farmers in the small holdings sector to
fell trees. This created a peculiar disadvantage of shortage of timber coupled with high
17
price compared with its counterparts in the rubber wood rich south-east Asian
countries. Increasing influence of middle men like logging contractors, brokers, etc.
over the primary market leading to imperfections and inability of secondary processing
units to control the price and quality of raw materials. Absence of well organized panel
products industries for consuming small dimension logs and sawmill wastes is another
lacuna in the Indian rubber wood sector.
The state of art of rubber wood processing and utilization technology in the country is
briefly reviewed in the paper.
Strengthening of promotional agencies in terms of research and development facilities
and statutory powers for market interactions, developing panel products industry base,
and formulation of long term plan for ensuring sustained growth of the industry is
suggested for the building up of the Indian rubber wood industry competitive to the
international level in the long run.
INTRODUCTION
Rubber wood is emerged as one of the alternative eco-friendly plantation timber in
India since 1980s. Earlier, timber from rubber trees in the country is used for domestic
and industrial firewood as well as for low cost packing cases where high durability is
not required. Later, when availability of traditional timbers for general purposes,
especially for thick packing cases, pallets, furniture, plywood, panel boards and
re-constituted board products become a serious issue due to shortage of timber and
escalation of prices, the idea of utilizing rubber wood for the above purposes got
mooted in the country. The ‘perishable’ nature of the timber due to its low durability
posed problems in its utilization. The timber from rubber tree is found highly
susceptible to attack from sap staining and decay fungi immediately after harvesting
causing discolouration and strength loss; intensive attack of borer insects in partially
dry and dry timber added gravity to the need for developing appropriate processing
techniques to enhance durability. Increasing exploitation of the tropical hardwood
species and consequent depletion in the stock and the resultant price hike of the
traditional timber species as well as the growing concern on the conservation of
environment led concerted research efforts in the country to develop utilization
technology for the optimum utilization of this non-conventional timber resource.
18
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL
Global scenario
The estimated deforestation rate in the developing countries is in the tune of 16.8
million hectares per annum. It has been reported that 0.6 million hectares of tropical
rain forests can be conserved with the utilization of economically available rubber
wood on an annual basis (ITC 1993). The estimates further showed that if all the
available physical potential of rubber wood were used, an additional 0.3 million
hectares of tropical rain forests could be saved. All these clearly show the significance
of the potential of the resource for saving the environment in terms of its commercial
utilization. In terms of money, rubber wood based finished products generate around
US $ 1.5 billion per annum in the world market.
Out of the 866 million cubic meters of the world growing stock of rubber wood only
75 per cent is reported to be utilized for industrial applications due to infrastructural
and local constraints, size of the holdings and quality of the logs (ITC 1993). Logs
with a minimum and above diameter of 15 cms are going to sawmilling and plywood
sector. Below the diameter of 15 cms and up to 5 cms is going to the fuel wood sector.
The annual world physical production of rubber wood during the period 1998 was
estimated to be 41 million cubic meters of which 11 million cubic meters would be
logs for sawmilling and plywood industry. The production potential is expected to
increase up to 52 million cubic meters by the period 2016-2021 and the log (suitable
for sawing/peeling) output could reach 14 million cubic meters per annum (Table 1).
Table1. Region-wise world annual production potential of rubber wood (x
1000 m3/year)
Region
Asia
Africa
Latin
America
World Total
1998-2003
(x 1000 m3)
Logs
Total
9816
37493
1141
3287
130
561
2004-2009
(x 1000 m3)
Logs
Total
10693 41631
624
1943
314
1414
2010-2015
(x 1000 m3)
Logs
Total
11995 45276
452
1485
402
1730
2016-2021
(x 1000 m3)
Logs
Total
13257 48330
718
2308
307
1233
11087
11631
12849
14282
41341
44988
48491
51871
Source: George and Joseph 2002
In the backdrop of the International Tropical Timber Organization’s (ITTO) decision
to allow only tropical timber originated from sustainably managed sources (SMS) for
international trade; with the timber harvested after 25 to 30 years of latex production
from sustainably managed plantations over 22 tropical countries, rubber wood is
19
getting acceptance all over the world.
Indian scenario
In India, with the ban imposed by the Honourable Supreme Court on clear felling of
trees from the natural forests to conserve tropical forests, the search for a renewable
source of wood has gained momentum, and this resulted in the identification of rubber
wood, a product of the sustainably managed rubber plantations as an eco-friendly
alternative to natural forest-based timber. Low cost coupled with the plentiful
availability of this timber warranted attention to look for preservative treatment
techniques to overcome its inherent property of low durability. The success in this
attempt opened up its potential for commercial exploitation in the country.
India is the fourth largest natural rubber producing country in the world. The area
under the crop is steadily increasing since 1995. With a growth rate of 4.65 per cent,
the current area under rubber cultivation in the country is 5, 83, 000 hectares.
However, the production of rubber wood per unit area in the country is presently in a
declining trend mainly due to the introduction of high latex yielding varieties of
planting materials having lower timber yield. The current estimated average production
of rubber wood per hectare is 150 m3 (equivalent to 5295 cft) in the small holdings; for
estates, the corresponding figure is 180 m3. Average life of Indian rubber plantations is
estimated to be 29 years in estates and 22 years in small holdings, with about 245 trees
per hectare in the final stand in estates and 265 trees in small holdings. The average
yield of timber per tree is 0.73 m3 for estate grown and 0.57 m3 for small holdings
grown trees; with a 60: 40 proportion of stem wood and branch wood from both sector
(Rubber Board of India 1999). With 87% of the timber coming from small holdings,
the availability of rubber wood in India has been estimated at 1.6 million cubic meters
per year.
Figure 1 shows the projections on rubber wood production in India from 2000-2015.
The decline in the estimated availability of rubber wood in India from 2012 onwards is
due to the slowdown in rubber planting during the early 1990’s. As the country is
timber deficit, importing wood and wood products worth Rs. 15720 millions per
annum (out of which 91.4% is rough wood; 28.3% import is from Malaysia, 18.6%
from Myanmar, 13.2 from Africa and the remaining 39.9% from other countries), the
projections underline the need of a scientific approach in the commercial utilization of
the available production potential (DGCIS 1998).
20
Fig. 1. Projections of the availability of rubber wood in India during the
period 2000-2015 (x1000 m3)
The estimated annual requirement of timber in the country is around 40 million cubic
metres and the domestic availability is estimated to be 29.25 million cubic metres.
Rubber wood (stem wood) has the potential to offer around 2% of the country’s timber
requirement. It has a further potential to conserve more than 20,000 hectares of rain
forests on an annual basis. Therefore, it is essential to streamline the policies required
for maximum value-addition to this precious by-product of the rubber plantations.
COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION
The stem wood share (60%) is mainly utilized in the country by wood-based industries
in the sawmilling and plywood sector. Sawn logs are going to furniture, panel board
products, pallets and packing cases; the branch wood share of 40% is consumed by
household and industrial firewood sector. Unlike in the rubber wood rich countries like
Malaysia, the smaller sized branch wood logs is not so far utilized for the manufacture
of panel products such as chipboard, wood cement board and medium density fibre
(MDF) board in India.
21
In India, still a major share of the wood is utilized for the manufacture of less
value-added products like packing cases and inferior quality plywood, as is evident
from the field surveys of the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) (Table 2), the
estimated total availability of rubber wood during 2006-07 is 1.1 million cubic metres;
the consumption pattern of stem wood is dominated by packing case sector (45%),
followed by plywood industry (29%), treated wood sector (21%), safety matches and
others (5%) (Rubber Board of India 2008). The reason for the declining trend of wood
availability for the recent period as detailed by the Rubber Board of India (Table 2)
may be possibly due to the shift of planting material to high latex -low timber yielding
varieties as well as staggered and delayed replanting. About 33% of the stem wood is
found available in India as sawn timber for secondary processing.
Table 2. Estimate of rubber wood availability for the recent years in India
Period
Total
Wood
(million m3)
Stem Wood
(million m3)
3.13
2.9
1.0
0.94
1.1
1.82
1.74
0.60
0.56
0.67
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
Sawn
timber for secondary
processing sector
(million m3)
0.63
0.58
0.20
0.19
0.22
Source: Estimates of RRII
PRICE TREND
Prices of generally preferred merchantable logs over a girth of 675 mm for the period
2002-2008 are given in Table 3. The price of sawn timber (per cft) remain steady (Rs
475) during the last three years (2005-08).
Fluctuation of the price of rubber tree, as per the estimates of the Rubber Research
Institute of India (RRII) for the period 1987 to 2000 is given in Fig. 2. Price remains
more or less steady during 1998-2000; the price is highest at present (2008), Rs. 1250/per tree (personal information from local sawmills).
22
Table 3 Price of rubber wood logs (per tonne) and sawn wood (per cft)
Year
Log Price/Tonne
(Rs.)
Price of sawn wood/cft
(Rs.)
2,300
2,400
2,800
3,200
3,300
3,400
375
375
375
475
475
475
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
Source: Estimates of RRII
Average price/tree (Rs)
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
2008
1999-00
1998-99
1997-98
1996-97
1995-96
1994-95
1993-94
1992-93
1991-92
1990-91
1989-90
1988-89
1987-88
0
Year
Source: Estimates of RRII
Fig. 2. Price trend of rubber wood logs in India
CURRENT SITUATION
Due to the high price of latex rubber (in the tune of Rs. 130/kg) in India during 2008,
farmers are highly reluctant to fell trees which resulted in an acute shortage of timber;
as per the information from sawmills, one tree of about 0.5 tonne is having presently
(2008 July) a price around Rs. 1250/- (Fig. 2).
Nearly 88 per cent of the area is
organized as small holdings, 91 per cent of the production is from small growers; in
this respect rubber can be called as the “people’s crop”, as 10.1 lakh growers in this
sector fall under the small growers category as against 275 large growers in the country.
23
In this way, rubber wood offers an additional source of revenue to the small growers.
Despite the additional costs incurred in processing, rubber wood is cheaper than other
competing woods from non-plantation origin. The price of treated rubber wood is still
30-40 per cent lower than that of teak in the country.
PROCESSING
Rubber wood processing generally includes a chain of activities to prepare the wood
into a final product. Wood processing is categorized into primary and secondary. The
primary processing includes conversion by sawmilling and veneering activities done
directly on stem logs whereas in secondary processing the sawn timber is further
subjected to downstream processing like preservative treatment and drying for the
production of rough sawn kiln dried (RSKD) wood, RSKD lumber into finished sizes
for furniture components and other value-added products.
PRIMARY PROCESSING
The two prominent features of the Indian rubber wood primary processing are the
dominant role of the intermediaries (felling and logging contractors, suppliers,
transporting agencies, sawmillers, etc) and their control over the growers and auction
centres before the logs reaching the primary processing units (sawmills or veneering
units), and the lower level of vertical integration in the industry. In India, more than 75
per cent of the timber is getting routed through the intermediaries; direct procurement
from plantations by the processing units exists in a smaller level only. The extent of the
direct procurement is found positively related to the scale of production, strength of the
unit in terms of mechanical facilities for end product manufacturing, and proximity to
the plantations (Joseph and George 1996). Another characteristic feature of majority of
wood processing industries in the country is the non-compliance of any single product
manufacturing or products of specified dimensions. Indirect procurement system is
preferred by small to medium scale units in the country, as it is beneficial to them in
terms of unit-wise size specifications leading to waste reduction. As many of the units
being not capable to utilize the waste wood portions, the indirect procurement system
is still strong in the country. This is in contrast to the prevailing situation in the rubber
wood rich countries like Malaysia and Thailand where majority of the modern wood
processing units are integrated ones capable to utilize the wood waste for panel
products. The technical advantage of direct procurement - utmost importance to quality
control aspect from the stage of primary processing (as the processing units are either
24
directly involved from the stage of logging operations or resort to subcontracting the
sawing and the initial preservative treatment of the sawn timber) – is not fully practical
in the country due to concerns on immediate profit, waste utilization and the
involvement of non-compromising intermediaries everywhere.
Due to the practice of allowing more ‘tolerance’ in the thickness of sawn planks in the
country, up to 64% sawn timber recovery is possible in the Indian sawmilling sector
and the major share of such planks are utilized by the packing case industry. A general
reluctance on the part of sawmills to process logs for high quality sawn timber desired
for secondary processing is noticed due to the relatively lower recovery rate of 50%
and inadequate supply of logs with higher girth required for this specific sector.
The installed per day (8 hour shift) capacity utilization of sawmills in India is also
lower (in the range of 3-8 m3) compared to the Malaysian rubber wood sawmilling
units (10m3). Majority of the sawmills processing rubber wood in India have an inbuilt
arrangement to manufacture packing case materials, without which their sustenance
will be difficult; 90% of the sales from Indian rubber wood sawmills are found packing
cases, only 10% constitute the planks suitable for secondary processing. Compared to
sawmilling, veneering industries operate at a large scale, as is evident from the average
procurement of logs in the tune of 4000-6000 metric tonne per annum. In the Indian
rubber wood plywood sector, only 20% of the units have the plywood manufacturing
facilities, remaining units produce only dry peels. As mentioned earlier, the Indian
rubber wood veneering units are more dependent on the intermediaries who control
more than 50% of the volume of the rubber wood veneer sales. Major stock of the
rubber wood veneers is utilized in the country for the manufacture of low quality
plywood and for core veneers.
Preservative treatment of rubber wood – State of art in the country
The freshly cut logs are of about 270 cms long with a girth ranging from 60 to 80 cms.
As the freshly cut green timber with high moisture content being highly susceptible to
sap stain fungi infestation in the field conditions, it needs to be transported as early as
possible into sawmill and the sawing needs to be done immediately (as storing the logs
for long duration in the sawmill environment can lead to the sap staining problem). In
the tropical humid climatic conditions, serious attack from the sap stain fungus,
Botryodiplodia theobromae causing extensive discolouration of the wood adversely
affecting the aesthetic appearance and thereby prices also has been reported (Florence
1991; Florence, et. al. 1996) and remedial measures such as end coating the cut ends
with bituminous compounds containing sodium pentachloro phenoxide (Na PCP) or
any other suitable anti sap staining preservatives till further conversion in the sawmill
25
are suggested, even though not very practical from the commercial angle. The
bituminous end coats will further help to control the rapid natural drying in case the
timber happens to be exposed to the hot weather in the sawmill and subsequent
development of drying defects like end splitting leading to timber wastage. The
preservative in the end coats, to a certain extent will prevent the infestation of sap stain
fungi. Immediately after sawing, the sawn sizes need to be treated with preservative
chemicals to protect it permanently from the immediate attack of sap stain as well as
decay fungi and insect borers while in service. In the rural context, simple dip diffusion
treatment with environment-friendly boron compounds (10% boric acid equivalent
(BAE) formulation of boric acid and borax in the ratio 1: 1.5) is suggested
(Gnanaharan et. al. 1983; Dhamodaran and Gnanaharan 1984). Duration of dipping is
standardized against the thickness of sizes. Diffusion treated wood needs to be stored
under cover for a period up to one month depending on the thickness of sizes for
uniform distribution and satisfactory penetration of the chemical within the treated
timber (Dhamodaran and Gnanaharan 1996) so as conform to the Indian Standards for
treated timber (BIS 1982). As such a system, even though it does not require costly
equipments and high skill, is time consuming and cumbersome as far as mechanical
wood processing industries are concerned, the prolonged diffusion storage period and
requirement of handling commercial quantities of timber (requiring more labour) will
affect the flow of material. Due to this reason, in India, wood processing industries
follows the use of vacuum – pressure impregnation (VPI) process for the treatment of
timber utilizing commercial treatment plants. As desired loading of the preservative in
large quantity of timber can be ensured within short time by this process, even though
it requires high establishment cost for the plants and skilled labour, VPI process is
preferred by the industries. Boron compounds and copper – chrome – boric (CCB)
formulations are the preferred preservatives for the VPI process. An economical and
energy saving treatment schedule was developed for the commercial scale VPI
treatment of rubber wood and tested repeatedly against various thickness of sizes,
concentration of treatment solution, extent and duration of the application of vacuum
and pressure, moisture content of wood, etc. (Dhamodaran 1996; Dhamodaran and
Gnanaharan 1993, 1994 a & b, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002; Dhamodaran, et. al. 2001)
employing different chemicals depending on the end use applications. The treated
timber needs to be dried; either by air seasoning or by kiln seasoning employing dry
kilns and seasoning schedules were prescribed by the Indian Standards (BIS 1993,
2001). The treated rough sawn kiln dried (RSKD) timber goes to further secondary
or down stream processing for product manufacturing. To get a clear idea on the Indian
rubber wood processing industry, the typical flow chart of the operations is as given in
26
Fig. 3. and the value chain of a typical semi-mechanised small scale rubber wood
processing unit in Kerala, India is given in Fig. 4.
Fig. 3
Flow chart of a typical small scale Indian rubber wood processing
industry
27
Fig. 4
Value chain in a typical cluster-based semi-mechanised small scale
rubber wood processing unit in Kerala, India.
28
Secondary processing
The amazing workability of rubber wood has been well documented and it is not
getting adversely affected by preservative treatment. It has good sawing and machining
properties; can be planed, grooved and sanded easily. Attractive grain patterns, good
lustre and ability to accept any dye or stain make it ideal for home or office furniture,
flooring and panelling material. Small cuttings and wastes can be used for particle
boards, MDF boards, wood cement boards, etc. The suitability indices of Indian rubber
wood with respect to teak as 100 as given in Table 4 show the utilization potential of
this non-conventional timber. The processed rubber wood from the country compares
favourably with the rubber wood from other countries.
Table 4. Suitability indices of rubber wood, compared to teak as 100
Property
Weight or Heaviness
Retention of shape
Strength as a beam
Stiffness as a beam
Suitability as post
Shock resisting ability
Shear
Surface hardness
Splitting coefficient
Nail holding capacity
Suitability Index
(Compared to Teak as 1000
92
88
78
96
82
87
74
76
60
73
Estimates of RRII
The main indicator for the degree of commercialization of rubber wood is the relative
share of the stem wood in the secondary processing, as the extent of value addition
from the other consuming sectors such as packing cases, inferior quality plywood, and
safety matches, etc is relatively lower. The gravity of the issue of under utilization of
rubber wood in India is clearly evident from the lower share of the sawn timber (33%)
utilized by the secondary processing sector, in the tune of 0.22 million m3 out of the
0.67 million m3 available stem wood, during 2006-07. This is in contrast to the
progress made by Malaysia and Thailand in utilizing the major chunk of the available
sawn wood by chemical treatment and kiln seasoning for the manufacture of
value-added products and the rapid strides in the export and export earnings (Table 5).
29
Table 5. Export earnings of Malaysia from rubber wood products
Products
Share (%)
Mouldings
Particle Board
MDF
Furniture
Export
Earnings
(Million US $)
20
13
87
536
656
Relative
Share (%)
3
2
13
82
100
(Source: George and Joseph 2002)
According to Ser (1990), in 1985, about 81% of the sawn timber output in Malaysia
was exported and more than 72% of the export earnings were from sawn timber.
Within a decade, the dynamics of the change in the composition of rubber wood based
exports to the tune of 82% of the total export earnings is from furniture teaches the
lesson that the pivotal factor in this turnaround was the development of well conceived
government policy intervention providing incentives to the export of value-added
products and promotion to the research and development efforts for the technological
upgradation of the downstream manufacturing processes and the clearly spelt out
regulations on sawn timber exports (Kadir 1990). The Malaysian experience in the
rubber wood development sector offers valuable guidelines relevant to the Indian
scenario. Switching over from semi-finished products to finished products is
advocated in the country for ready international marketability. FSC Certification for
rubber wood products is also in its way in the country.
THE KERALA CONTEXT
More than 86 per cent of India’s area under rubber cultivation lies in the Kerala State,
which is the extreme south portion of the country. Up to 69% of the installed capacity
for secondary processing of rubber wood is also vested in Kerala due to the regional
concentration of the resource. Kerala produces 92% of the rubber wood in the country.
This regional concentration of resource and installed capacity for secondary processing
is in tune with the specific locational advantages exploited by Malaysia and Thailand.
However, the lower levels of capacity utilization, vertical integration and export
orientation prevailing in the rubber wood industry in India hinders the progress of this
sector. The above facts clearly shows the fact that any development in the Indian
rubber wood scenario should be more emphasised to make it appropriate to the Kerala
conditions.
30
R & D AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES
In India, because of the regional concentration of the resource being in Kerala, and
during the 1980s the only place where wood science and technology research in Kerala
was concentrated in the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). As the timber being
perishable in nature, developing preservative treatment techniques for enhancing its
durability became the primary concern and significant contributions in this field were
made for the first time in the country by KFRI and the treatment schedules were
optimized for both non-pressure dip diffusion treatment for rural applications and the
vacuum – pressure impregnation (VPI) treatment for commercial scale industrial
applications. Later, the Rubber Board of India realised the importance of the issue and
the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) started working in rubber wood
utilization. Presently, the Rubber Board has been promoting the rubber wood
processing and value addition through the creation of processing and testing facilities
and creating awareness through campaigns. In addition, the Rubber Board has also
been giving financial assistance to rubber wood processors for implementing projects
linked with quality improvement and value addition. To reduce costs and to improve
competitiveness in the international market, cluster-based approach has been promoted
by the Central and State Government Departments of Industry.
Simultaneously,
institutions such as the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehra Dun and later when the
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is formulated, their
research centre - the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore
and the Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore
also contributed to rubber wood utilization research in the country. The Central
Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi, Kerala has conducted a specific study
on the potential using preservative treated rubber wood for fishing boats. The United
Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) has constituted the Indian Rubber
Wood Task Force (IRTF) for promoting the use or rubber wood in India. With the
concerted effort of all the above agencies, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has
brought out specifications for preservative treated and seasoned timber from rubber
wood as IS 14960: 2001. (BIS 2001). Because of the regional advantage and expertise
available, KFRI remains as the single institution academically strong in the field of
rubber wood utilization research in the country.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCTS
In India, even though initial attempts to utilize rubber wood started in the late 1960s,
the industry had to wait till the end of the 20th century to gain momentum in terms of
31
technology and investment. Major share of investment in this sector in the country is
from private investors. Today, there are about 45 rubber wood processing units of
varying size in India. Apart from saving precious foreign exchange used up in the
import of timber, it helps in wealth creation and employment generation as well as
saving the forests and tropical plantation hardwoods. As mentioned earlier, still
packing cases and pallets are the major products manufacturing in the country. In the
secondary processing sector, treated RSKD rubber wood is mechanically processed for
the manufacture of furniture, panelling and flooring, etc. Finger jointing and glue
lamination technology is being used for the manufacture of long and wide boards.
The main finished products made from treated rubber wood in India are furniture,
panelling, and flooring material.
The biggest unit processing rubber wood in the country, Rubco Huat Woods Ltd., with
an installed capacity of 25,000 m3 per annum has set up in the cooperative sector in
Kerala, India during 2001 with the technical collaboration of Long Huat Berhad of
Malaysia. A list of major Indian rubber wood processing industries is given in
Appendix I. The products from these industries comprises edge glued panel (EGP),
flooring tiles, furniture and furniture components, doors and windows, kitchen cabinets,
etc. Value added products from rubber wood sector offered the home and office
segment with stylish products. Apart from this, many small scale industries exist in the
country using a mix of species including rubber wood. Being an eco-friendly substitute
for conventional timbers – as its origin is from sustainably managed plantations, Indian
rubber wood products are getting exported to US, Europe, Japan and West African
countries. It is mainly exported as four side planed section (S4S), finger jointed four
side planed section (FJS4S), finger jointed edge glued panels (EGP), furniture
components, etc.
An unfortunate situation prevailing in the country is the fact that preservative treated
RSKD rubber wood is not available in the open market for the public to buy. All
rubber wood processing industries producing treated RSKD wood is consuming the
whole quantity for manufacturing finished products. Probably, this may be due to the
more profit that can be derived from the production of finished goods, as is evident
from the value chain (Fig. 4). This situation calls for policy changes in the industry for
the benefit of the common man, to make available treated RSKD wood of various sizes
in the Indian domestic market. Unlike in traditional timber industry, one can not buy
treated rubber wood planks at his choice at present; he can get only finished products
from the market.
The existing industries in the country consume only about one-tenth of the available
32
raw material. This clearly shows the scope for further expansion. With proper
expertise, finance and government support, optimum exploitation of the available
resource could save a foreign exchange to the tune of US $ 200 million by way of
substituting the current furniture import and direct employment of the order of 200000
in India.
CONCLUSION
The major issues that needs to be cared immediately in the Indian rubber wood sector
are: the inability of secondary processing units to control the quality and price of raw
material due to imperfections in the primary market; absence of well organised panel
products industry for consuming the sawmill wastes and small dimension logs; in-built
disadvantage for the processing industry compared to its counterparts in other rubber
wood rich south-east Asian countries due to the comparatively higher prices of rubber
wood logs in the country; and marketing problems arising from the acceptability of
finished products both in the domestic and world markets due to the absence of a
statutory authority to implement and monitor the standards for processing and quality
control. Strengthening of promotional agencies in terms of statutory powers
supplemented with research and development facilities to offer institutional support,
market intelligence and incentives for manufacturing value-added products coupled
with the promotion of appropriate panel products manufacturing base to absorb the
wastes and small dimension logs as well as the formulation of long term plan for
ensuring sustained growth of the industry are the solutions for building up of the Indian
rubber wood industry competitive to the international base in the long run.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The technical assistance from Mr. S. Babu, Research Fellow, Kerala Forest Research
Institute (KFRI) is gratefully acknowledged. Sincere thanks are due to Dr. K. V.
Sankaran, Director, KFRI for the encouragements given. Acknowledgements are due
to ITTO for permitting to present this paper in the International Workshop on
“Promotion of Rubber wood processing in the Asia Pacific Region”, Sanya, Hainan,
China, December, 2008.
33
Appendix I
List of major rubber wood processors and product manufacturing industries
in India
Sl.
No.
Name & Address
1
Andaman Timber Industries Ltd., 10/190-A, Kunduchira Road, Eranholi, P.
O., Talassery, Kannur 670107, Kerala. E- mail: agrowood@sancharnet.in
Ph: 91 490 2305296
Borax Morarji Ltd., Timber Division, 2-1 A-3&4, Nedumangad Road,
Shenbagaramanputhoor, Thiruvananthapuram– 629304, Kerala. E-mail:
borotik@sancharnet.in Ph: 91 465 2263142
Delta Plywood & Boards, Iringole, Perumbavoor - 683548, Kochi, Kerala.
E-mail: josechackom@rediffmail.com Ph: 91 484 2524137
Emess Industries, Chempakamangalam, Korani, P. O., Thiruvananthapuram 695104, Kerala. E-mail: emess@sancharnet.in Ph: 91 471 2429734
Feroke Boards Pvt. Ltd., Karad, P. O., Farook College, Kozhikkode –
673632, Kerala.
E-mail: mail@feroply.com Ph: 91 483 2830597
Fulcrum Corporation, Koodal, P. O., Pathanamthitta – 689693, Kerala.
E- mail: fulcrum@avtgroup.net Ph: 91 475 3958492.
Gomma Wood Products, Manjamattom, Moozhoor, P. O., Kottayam –
686503, Kerala.
E-mail: ktm_gomma@sancharnet.in Ph: 91 481 2543054.
Highrange Wood Treats Pvt. Ltd., Rubber Wood Processing Plant,
Keerampara,
Kothamangalam,
Eranakulam,
Kerala.
Email:
hwtwood@yahoo.co.in Ph: 91 485 2571381
Indroyal Crafts (P) Ltd., RS No. 557/2, Sundarapandyapuram Road, Kambley,
Ayikudi,
Thenkasi – 627852, Tamil Nadu. E-mail: indroyal@satyam.net.in Ph: 91 463
3268100
Jackteek Furniture, P. B. No. 1040, Usha Kiron, M. G. Road, Eranakulam –
682011, Kerala.
E- mail: jacsons@satyam.net.in Ph: 91 484 2355314.
Meenachil Rubber Wood Pvt. Ltd., P. B. No. 1424, , IPC Philadelphia
Building, KK Road, Kanjikuzhy, Kottayam – 686004, Kerala. E- mail:
metrowood2@yahoo.co.in Ph: 91 481 2578548
Malankara Wood Ltd., Malankara Building, P. B. No. 72, Kodimatha,
Kottayam, Kerala.
Ph: 91 481 2568360.
Nilambur Good Wood Ltd., Chemmaram, Nauvath, P. O., Nilambur,
Malappuram, Keral;a.
E-mail: goodwood@satyam.net.in Ph: 91 4931 200528.
Prestige Boards Pvt. Ltd., Mill Road, Valapattanam, P. O., Kannur – 670010,
Kerala.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
34
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E-mail: cnn_prestige@sancharnet.in Ph: 91 498 2224006.
Rubco Huat Woods (P) Ltd., II DC, KINFRA, Eranholi, Thalassery, Kannur –
670107, Kerala.
E-mail: gmhuat@rubcomail.com Ph: 91 490 2350381.
Rubberwood India Pvt. Ltd., P. B. No. 1425, IPC Philadelphia Building, KK
Road, Kanjikuzhy, Kottayam – 686004, Kerala. E- mail: indiawood@vsnl.com
Ph; 91 481 2578623.
Shilpi Wood Links (P) Ltd., Shilpi Mansion, Ugrapuram, Areecode, P. O.,
Malappuram – 673639, Kerala. E-mail: shilpy_wood@yahoo.com Ph: 91
483 3257590.
Starowood, 246, 1st Main Road, M. E. S. Road, B. Nagar, Gokula, Bangalore,
Karnataka.
E-mail: starowood@hotmail.com Ph: 91 80 25768460.
Unique Wood Industries, No. 2016, 7th Main, II Stage, Rajaji Nagar,
Bangalore – 560010, Karnataka. Ph: 91 80 23327811.
Uniwood Products, Devi Kripa, Valanjambalam, Chittoor Road, Eranakulam –
682016, Kerala.
E-mail: mail@uniwoodproducts.com
Woodtech Industries, 294/IX, Pullur, P. O., Kalletumkara, Irinjalakuda,
Thrissur – 680683, Kerala. Ph: 91 488 2823204.
Kutty Flush Doors & Furniture Co. Pvt. Ltd., Poonamalle High Road,
Koyambebu,
Chennai – 600107, Tamil Nadu. E-mail: kutty@vsnl.com
Ph: 91 44
24799797.
REFERENCES
BIS 2001. Preservative treated and seasoned sawn timber from rubber wood (Hevea
brasiliensis) – Specification. IS 14960: 2001. Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS), New Delhi, India.
BIS 1982. Code of practice for the preservation of timber IS: 401-1982. Bureau of
Indian Standards (BIS), New Delhi, India.
BIS 1993. Code of practice for seasoning of timber. IS: 1141-1993. Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS), New Delhi, India.
DGCIS.1998. Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade, Volume 2, Imports. Directorate
General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India, Calcutta. Pp 397-406.
Dhamodaran, T. K. 1996. Preservative treatment and chemical modification of rubber
wood. Ph. D. Thesis. Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin,
Kerala, India.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1984. Effect of immersion time on loading and
distribution of boric acid in rubber wood by diffusion process. Journal of
35
Indian Academy of Wood Science 15: 19-23.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1989. Upgradation of rubber wood through
boron diffusion treatment. Rubber Board Bulletin 25(1): 12-17 & 19.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1993. Verification of an economical schedule
for boron impregnation treatment of partially dried rubber wood. Journal of
Timber Development Association of India 39(2): 33-35.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1994a. Commercial scale trial of an
economical schedule for boron impregnation treatment of green rubber
wood. Holz als Roh und Werkstoff 52: 323-324.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1994b. Upgradation of rubber wood. KFRI
Research Report No. 93. Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi – 680 653,
Kerala, India.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1996. Optimum storage period for boron
diffusion treatment of rubber wood. International Research Group on Wood
Preservation Document No. IRG/WP/96-30121. 7p.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 1998. Effect of under-water storage on the
utilization value of rubber wood. In: Proceedings of the ITTO/FORIG/VAHPU
Conference, Kumasi, Ghana, 17-19, February 1988. pp 171-175.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 2000. Optimising the schedule for CCA
impregnation treatment of rubber wood. Holz als Roh und Werkstoff 59:
294-298.
Dhamodaran, T. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 2002. Tratability of under-water stored rubber
wood with boron preservative. Journal of Tropical Forest Products 8(1):
66-71.
Dhamodaran, T. K., Thulasidas, P. K. and Gnanaharan, R. 2001. Commercial scale trial
of an economical schedule for CCB impregnation treatment of partially dried
rubber wood: Treatability of wood from two Heva clones. Journal of Timber
Development Association of India 47 (3&4): 37-40.
Florence, E. J. M. 1991. Sapstain fungi of some commercially important timbers and
their control. KFRI Research Report No. 80. Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi – 680 653, Kerala, India.
Florence, E. J. M., Gnanaharan, R. and Sharma, J. K.1996. Studies on growth and
prevention of sapstain fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae in rubber wood and
its effect on strength properties. KFRI Research Report No. 114. Kerala Forest
Research Institute, Peechi – 680 653, Kerala, India.
George, K. T and Joseph, T. 2002. Rubber wood production and utilization in India,
36
In: Gnanaharan, George, K. T. and Damodaran, K. 2002. Rubber Wood
Processing and Utilization in India. Science & Technology Entrepreneurship
Development Project, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. Ganesh Publications,
Bangalore, India. Pp 1-9.
Gnanaharan, R., Mathew, G. and Dhamodaran, T. K.1983. Protection of rubber wood
against Sinoxylon anale Les. (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). Journal of Indian
Academy of Wood Science 14: 9-11.
ITC. 1993. Market study on rubber wood – A study of the World Development
Potential. International Trade Centre (ITC). UNCTAD/GATT, Geneva. 99p.
Joseph, T and George, K. T. 1996. Primary processing of rubber wood in Kerala:
Report of sample survey. Wood News 5(4): 39-43.
Kadir, K. A. 1990. Opportunities and incentives for rubber wood manufacturing in
Malaysia. In: Proceedings of the International Rubber wood Seminar, Forest
Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pp 153-164.
Rubber Board of India 2008. Annual Report of the Rubber Research Institute of India.
Rubber Board of India, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India,
Kottayam, Kerala. p 104.
Rubber Board of India 1999. Indian Rubber Statistics. Volume 22. Rubber Board of
India, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Kottayam, Kerala.
Ser, C. S. 1990. Rubber wood resources in Asean and potential for its wider utilization.
In: Proceedings of the International Rubber wood Seminar, 21-22 May
1990.Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
37
Current Status of Plantation Forest Development and
Its Utilization in Indonesia1
Karnita Yuniarti
Satria Astana
3
2
Forest Products Research and Development Centre (FPRDC),
Ministry of Forestry, Jl Gunung Batu 5 PO BOX 182
BOGOR 16610. Indonesia
E-mail:karnita_yuniarti@yahoo.com Indonesia
Forestry Production Management,
Ministry of Forestry,
Indonesia
Abstract: This country report briefly illustrates the general situation of plantation
forest development and its utilization in Indonesia. It includes the current potency of
plantation forest, the utilization, and the status of research and development program
especially in forest management and utilization, and the policy development as well.
I
INTRODUCTION
Forestry sector in Indonesia has an important role in the economic development of the
country. Currently, the government of Indonesia through its acting ministry (Ministry
of Foresty) has revitalised forestry sector among others by accelerating the
establishment of plantation forest and by encouraging wood processing industry to
increase its efficiency. This report first illustrates the current potency of plantation
forest, and then followed by its utilization, the status of research and
development program, especially in forest management and utilization, and
the policy development. The last is the conclusion of the report.
1
2
Country Report for the International Workshop on Promotion of Rubber Wood Processing
Technology in the Asia-Pacific Region, Haikou City, Hainan Province, P.R. China, December, 7-16,
2008.
Researcher, Forest Products Research and Development Centre (FPRDC), Ministry of Forestry,
Indonesia.
3
Deputy Director of Processing and Marketing of Forest Products, Directorate General of Forestry
Production Management, Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia.
39
II
CURRENT POTENCY
The plantation forest in Indonesia may be classified into four types of resources: (1)
industrial timber estate (ITE), (2) Perhutani timber estate (PTE), (3) small scale timber
estate (SSTE), and (4) rubber plantation (RBP). The ITE in particular has been
established since the late of 1980s. The establishment of ITE is based on the need of
raw materials for the industrial purposes, such as pulpwood, construction wood and
fuel-wood.
Cumulative total area of ITE achieved until year 2006 was around 3.5 million ha,
consisting of 2.4 million ha of pulpwood estate, 1.0 million ha of saw log/ply log estate,
and 0.1 million ha of fuel-wood estate (Ministry of Forestry, 2007). Figure 1 shows the
development of ITE from the late 1980s to 2006. The government has had a target to
establish the planted areas of ITE about 5 million ha by 2009.
Figure 1. The development of plantation forest in Indonesia
(Ministry of Forestry, 2007)
Meanwhile plantation forest developed by Perum Perhutani –the government-owned
enterprise- reached a cumulative figure of around 1.7 million ha until year 2006
(Ministry of Forestry, 2007). The forest is dominated by teak plantation, spreading
widely in the three provinces of Java, namely East Java, Central Java and West Java.
However, the rubber plantation (RBP) has long been developed. In year 2006 the
rubber plantation achieved was around 3.3 million ha (Ministry of Agriculture, 2006).
The last group of plantation forest, that is the small scale timber estates (SSTE), is
40
difficult to estimate. Around 1.5 million ha of SSTE was estimated to have a potency
of timber about 39 million m3 (Darusman and Hardjanto, 2006). The SSTE is usually
established by the community. Tree species in this typical forest among others are
Paraserianthes falcataria, fruit-producing trees, and mahogany.
It was reported that the total timber production of plantation forest was 23.43 million
m3 in 2006 and dropped to 21.36 million m3 in 2007. The timber production from ITE
and Perhutani was more stable than those from SSTE and RBP.
III
CURRENT UTILIZATION
Table 1 showed the number of industries in 2006 and 2007 based on the source of log
they consumed. The number of industries recorded in 2006 was 159 units but in 2007 it
decreased up to 134 units. However, the log consumption in 2007 increased up to
41,565,000 m3 from 38,619,000 m3 in 2006. This is due to the fact that although there
had been some old industries collapsed in 2007, there are some new industries
established in particular those consuming mixed-log from plantation forest and rubber
plantation.
From Table 1 it may be summarized that the number of industries consuming log of
natural forest tend to decrease, while those consuming log of plantation forest and
rubber plantation tend to increase. If this is the case, then it can be expected that log
consumption in particular of plantation forest will gradually replace those of natural
forest in the future, while log consumption of rubber plantation may be as the raw
materials supplement of the industries, especially for primary wood processing
products of veneer/plywood/LVL, sawn-timber, and wood chips (Table 2).
41
Table 1 The number of industries and log consumption based on types of
source (Directorate of forest products processing and marketing
management, 2008)
2006
No.
Source of raw materials
2007
Number
Log
Number of
Log
of
Consumption
industries
Consumption
industries
(x 1000 m3)
(x 1000 m3)
1
Natural forest (N)
74
3.695
41
3.242
2
Plantation forest (P)
31
5.053
24
3.233
3
Rubber plantation (R)
-
-
3
34
4
Import (I)
-
-
1
1
5
Mix
a. N+P
33
25.807
24
27.036
b. N+R
-
-
1
3
c. N+I
4
388
2
1.026
d. P+I
1
290
1
363
e. P + R
8
2338
27
5293
e. N+P+R
1
26
2
218
f. N+P+I
7
1.022
6
816
g. N+P+R+I
-
-
2
300
Total
159
38.619
134
41.565
Table 2. Types of primary wood-processing products from log of plantation
forest
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
42
Types of primary wood-processing products
Sawn Timber
Veneer
Plywood
LVL
Pulp
Wood Chips
IV STATUS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
In order to obtain successfull sustainable plantation forest, intensive and supporting
research and development are required. Forestry Research and Development Agency
(FORDA), the responsible working unit in the Ministry of Forestry in carrying out
research activities relating to forestry sector, has established several R&D programs to
support the sustainable plantation forest development.
The R&D program focuses on the development of several species, including plant
production and protection technology, harvesting technique, and products development.
Several species investigated in this R&D program are teak, Paraserianthes falcataria,
Araucaria sp., Acacia spp., Eucalyptus spp., etc. Several temporary promising outputs
have been generated through years of R&D in plantation forest development. However,
several research issues still remains and continous supports are required to answer the
questions raises in the remaining R&D program. Table 3 shows the activities, the
progress and remaining issues on R&D program on forest management and utilization.
Research activities in the utilization of woods from crops estate has also been carried
out. The program mainly focuses on products development and processing technology.
Some promising outputs have been generated such as patent right for innovative
technique to process oil-palm trunks for construction purpose, treatment for rubber
wood, and the use of coconut wood for construction. However, other research issues
still remains untouched, such as machinery and equipment engineering to process those
crope-estate woods, physical and chemical modification of the basic properties, and
other techniques to improve processing efficiency or products development.
43
Table 3 Status of R&D in plantation forest of Indonesia (Ministry of Forestry,
2008)
No
Research
Activities
Progress (temporary)
Remaining issues
Areas
a. Tree quality improvement
Mycorrhiza, superior
Improved
through better propagation
seed/ling, heart-rot
propagation
technique, genetic
solution techniques, etc
technique,
engineering
engineering,
Forest Management
b. Mycorrhiza technology to
1
genetic
seedling technology,
support the plantation
etc
process of the seed/ling in
the field
c. Methods to minimize the
fire disaster and the rate of
attack by pests and
diseases
d. Seedling technology
2
Forest Utilization
a. Harvesting techniques in
Solar drying,
Machinery
plantation areas
preservative treatments
engineering to
b. Basic properties of
techniques, composites
improve the
plantation timber
products development
processing
(plywood, glue
efficiency, Wood
improve the quality of
laminated timber,
chemicals
plantation timbers
particle board), paper,
development (for
d. Products development
furniture from wastes,
preservative,
e. Wastes utilization
bio-energy products
adhesives,
(charcoal, briquette),
finishing,etc),
mushroom, etc
Products
c. Processing techniques to
development etc
V
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
To support the development and utilization of plantation forest as potential future
source of wood, the Ministry of Forestry has regulated on both the plantation activities
44
and the utilization of plantation forest. The goal is to provide supporting or conducive
climate for investment in the plantation forest development. It is expected that the
policies will facilitate to achieve the targeted objectives in developing and utilizing the
plantation forest.
In early years of plantation forest development, the policies established generally
regulate the development of plantation forest by private sectors. However, as SSTE is
becoming more and more important in supplying log for the industries, the government
then also opens the opportunity for the community, particularly those living
surrounding the forest, to get involve in the development of industrial plantation by
introducing new program, namely “Community-Industrial Plantation Forest (Hutan
Tanaman Rakyat)”. The program of Hutan Tanaman Rakyat was first introduced in
2006, and included in the forest management planning as stipulated in the Government
Decree No.6/2007.
Since then, the program of Hutan Tanaman Rakyat has been introduced to almost
provinces in Indonesia and has received positive response from the community. The
general aim of the program is to improve the livelihood and competency of the forest
community in managing the forest. In line with this, the private sector is also given the
opportunity to get involve in the program by playing the role as the market for the
timbers produced in the program or contribute to the investement required. To support
the program, several relating regulations are now being processed and study/research
in relevant aspects, particularly the readiness of community to get involve in the
program and the marketing aspects, are also now being established.
Table 4 shows the lists of relating policies for the development of industrial plantation
forest in Indonesia. Including in the lists is also the regulations in the utilization of
timbers from community forest (which is different from Hutan Tanaman Rakyat
program). The Minister of Forestry Decree No.51/Menhut-II/2006 regulates the
documents required for timber distribution from the community forest to the industries,
and it is also applied for the utilization of rubber wood. In addition, plantation of
rubber wood is mostly being stipulated by the Ministry of Agriculture. This is based on
the objective of the plantation itself which is to produce the commercial rubber saps
rather than timbers.
45
Table 4. Main policies development relating to the management and
utilization of plantation forest in Indonesia (Ministry of Forestry,
2008)
Utilization
Management
Aspects
Regulations
Contents
1.
The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No: P.3/Menhut-II/2008
Area delineation procedures for industrial
plantation forest
2.
The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No:
P.19/Menhut-II/2007
The general procedures to
license/permit in establishing
area by the private sector
The Government of Indonesia
(GoI) Decree No:
P.6/Menhut-II/2007
1. The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No:
P.35/Menhut-II/2008
2. The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No:
P.45/Menhut-II/2007
apply for
plantation
3.
General forest management
3. The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No:
P.23/Menhut-II/2007
Primary industry for forest products (Sawn
timber, veneer, chips, plywood, laminated
veneer lumber (LVL))
General
application
procedure
for
permit/license in the utilization of
equipments for forest products extraction in
plantation forest areas
General
application
procedures
for
permit/license in the utilization of timbers
from community-industrial forest
4. The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No: P.9/Menhut-II/2007
5. The Minister of Forestry (MoF)
Decree No:
P.51/Menhut-II/2006
Working plan for the utilization of forest
products in the plantation forest areas
(including community-industrial plantation
forest)
The use of letter of origin clearance (SKAU)
for timbers from community forest
VI CONCLUSION
The plantation forest in Indonesia may be classified into four types of resources: (1)
industrial timber estate (ITE), (2) Perhutani timber estate (PTE), (3) small scale timber
estate (SSTE), and (4) rubber plantation (RBP). The number of industries
consuming log of natural forest tend to decrease, while those consuming log of
plantation forest and rubber plantation tend to increase. The R&D program focuses on
the development of several species, including plant production and protection
technology, harvesting technique, and products development. Several species
investigated in this R&D program among others are teak, Paraserianthes falcataria,
46
Araucaria sp., Acacia spp., and Eucalyptus spp. To support the development and
utilization of plantation forest as potential future source of wood, the Ministry of
Forestry has regulated on both the plantation activities and the utilization of plantation
forest.
REFERENCES
Directorate of forest products processing and marketing management. 2008. Internal
data. Unpublished. Ministry of Forestry.
Ministry of Forestry. 2008. www.dephut.go.id. Accessed on Thursday, November 11,
2008.
Ministry of Forestry. 2007. Data Strategis Kehutanan (Forestry Strategic Database).
Ministry of Forestry. Jakarta
47
Forest Plantation Development in Malaysia with
Special Reference nn Rubber Plantation – An
Overview+
Mohd Paiz Kamaruzaman
Ahmad Zuhaidi Yahy
Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
E-mail:tppno@pahang.gov.my
Forest Research Institute Malaysia,
Kepong, 52109 Selangor
Abstract: The forestry sector has played an important role in socio-economic
development in Malaysia. It has contributed significant amount of government revenue,
foreign currency and employment opportunities. In this regard, Malaysia is fully aware
of the need to sustainable managed its natural tropical forests as well as establishment
of well managed large scale commercial plantation and development of vibrant timber
industries in order to ensure that the sector will continue to remain relevant in future. It
is anticipated that the production of timber from the natural forests is likely to decrease
due to dwindling of natural forest areas and stringent rules and regulations including
environmental considerations in their management. In this context, the development of
the forests plantation sector is essential in Malaysia in order to supplement timber
supply from the natural forest and to ensure healthy trade balance in future.
Subsequently, forest plantation will be an important supplementary source of raw
materials to support the ever-growing wood based processing industries. In addition,
the popularity of rubber wood as an important source for furniture manufacturing, the
government has encourages the establishment of rubber wood plantation to gather the
needs of the rubber wood industry which has now matured into billion ringgit foreign
exchange earner. In this endeavor, this paper will highlight the development of forest
plantation in the country as well as the issue and challenges associated in establishment
of the forest plantation. The paper also discussed on the efforts taken to encourage the
planting of rubber wood which has become a significant raw material for wood based
industry in Malaysia.
49
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In Malaysia, the forestry sector continues to play an important role in the
socio-economic development of the country, it continues to be major contributor to the
country’s export earnings and provide employment opportunities. The export earnings
from the industry have over the year’s experienced and upward trend, reaching a high
of about RM 21.5 billion in the year 2005, representing 5% of the country’s total
export revenue for that year. The timber industry is very dependent on the extent of
forests, thus, the forest is very crucial and serve as a major source of raw materials for
many timber processing industries in Malaysia.
Despite this achievement, the forestry sector is faced with a number of challenges
which could affect its contribution to national economy. The rapid development of the
timber processing industry had created increased pressure on the supply of natural
forest. In addition, the acceptance of rubber wood for furniture in the international
market had resulted in its increasing demand as an important source of raw material for
the furniture industry. In view of that, Malaysia recognizes that forests plantation
which is capable of yielding a higher volume of timber per unit area within a shorter
period of time will help to relieve pressure from over harvesting the natural forest.
Over the years, forest plantation development has form an essential part of the strategic
development plan for the sustainable management of forest resources in Malaysia. This
strategy has been adopted by the government in the last few decades when efforts have
been made to establish forest plantation of fast growing timber species.
It importance is also reflected in the National Forest Policy 1978 (revised 1992) which
incorporated a provision that encourages the establishment of high quality timber
forest plantation as well as the active and increase participation of private sector in the
establishment. In fact, forest plantation in Malaysia will be playing an important role in
supplementing wood supply to the timber processing industry in the future. This paper
will highlight the development of forest plantation in Malaysia as well as efforts taken
to encourage planting of rubber for timber as well as latex production.
2.0 FOREST RESOURCE AREA
Malaysia is a tropical country with a total land area of approximately 32.83 million ha
comprises 13.16 million ha in Peninsular Malaysia, 7.37 million ha in Sabah and 12.30
million ha in Sarawak. At the end of 2006, the total area of forest in Malaysia was
estimated to be 19.52 million ha or 59.5% of the total land area. The proportion of
forested area is higher in Sabah (4.40 million ha, 60% of land area) and Sarawak (9.24
50
million ha, 75% of land area) than in the more developed Peninsular Malaysia.
Of the total forest area, 14.39 million ha is designated as Permanent Reserved Forests
(PRFs) which is under sustainable management. Approximately 11.18 million ha of the
PRFs are production forests with the remaining 3.21 million ha being protection forest.
A total of 2.15 million ha is designated as National Park, Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries
of which 0.32 million ha are located in the PRFs, and 2.98 million ha is designated as
Stateland for planned conversion to other uses.
3.0 FOREST PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT
The history of forest plantation in Malaysia began in the late 1800’s, which involves
several planting initiatives of some selected indigenous timber species at an
experimental basis. Some well-known exotics were also introduced which include
Swietenia macrophylla, Tectona grandis and Hevea brasiliensis. Teak, the most
notable exotic timber species, was first introduced to Penang Island in the 1800’s. The
earliest successful teak plantation was establishment at Sungai Raya in Langkawi
Island around 1906. However, in 1950’s, the first commercial scales experimental
planting of Tectona grandis was successfully carried out by the Forestry Department in
Perlis and Kedah. The species was chosen in view of its reputation as a high quality
timber in the international market.
In the early 1970’s, the establishment of forest plantation for the production of pulp
was given high priority by the Government. It was projected that the domestic
consumption of paper and products would increase tremendously in tandem with the
population growth and socio-economic development in the country. In this regard, the
government planned for the establishment of a pulp and paper mill. In order to meet
requirement of long fibred materials, there was a need to establish plantation to
produce such fiber. With the assistance of FAO and United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), a pilot plantation of quick growing industrial tree species was
launched. This pilot project had identified Pinus caribea var Hondurenses (Pine) as the
main species. By end of 1985, a total of 3,560 ha of mainly Pinus caribea were
established in the four major states of Pahang, Johor, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
However, the rate of establishment was slow due to serious seed supply and other
technical problems. In addition, the government also decided to shelve the planned
establishment of pulp and paper mill. Hence, the project was discontinued.
A study conducted by the Forestry Department in 1979 projected that there will be an
impeding shortages of log supply in the future. Thus, the commercial forest plantation
51
establishment in Malaysia gained momentum in the early 1980’s when the
Compensatory Forest Plantation Project (CFPP) was launched. The main objective of
the project was to supplement wood supply through the planting of fast growing
hardwood species to produce general utility timber for the industries. Species such as
Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria were planted. The
project planned to establish 188,000 ha of forest plantation and to be harvested in 15
years. The CFPP was started in 1982 covering the states of Pahang, Johor, Selangor
and Negeri Sembilan. The project was co-financed by loans through the Federal
Government of Malaysia and the Asian Development Bank. In the second phase of the
project, three states of Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu were included. However, there
was a change in the policy of the Government that plantation development should be
undertaken by the private sector. Hence, in 1996, the National Forestry Council
proposed that all forest plantations established under the CFPP be privatized in line
with the National Privatization Policy. At the end 2006, the total plantation area was
43,225 ha comprising mainly Acacia mangium and a small percentage of Gmelina
arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria. Currently, most of the existing forest
plantations in the States of Johor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor have been
privatized to companies and State Corporations. The Acacia mangium plantations have
reached maturity and were harvested. The harvested timber was mainly utilized by the
local industries for the manufacture of furniture and other general utility purposes.
In the State of Sabah and Sarawak, the Forestry Department also implemented forest
plantation programme. For the case of Sabah, forest plantation development has started
as early as 1973. Unlike Peninsular Malaysia, the forest plantation in Sabah was
initiated through state corporations, and later followed by private and public companies.
The corporations involved in forest plantation development are Sabah Softwood
(SSSB), Sabah Forestry Development Authority (SAFODA), Sabah Forest Industries
(SFI) and Innoprise Corporation (ICSB). As in Peninsular Malaysia, earlier planting
was carried out with Pinus species to supply long fibre material for the planned pulp
mill. However, since the late 1970’s, other fast growing hardwood species were
introduced, predominantly Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes
falcataria and Eucalyptus deglupta. In the recent years, local timber and plantations
companies have also started to be involved in the establishment of forest plantation,
such as Tabung Haji Plantation which established a large scale teak plantation. To date,
the state government has also earmarked another 598,123 ha of land potential for the
establishment of new forest plantations.
52
In the State of Sarawak, interest in forest plantation in Sarawak began in 1936 with the
establishment of Shorea macrophylla plantation in Semengoh Forest Reserve. Before
the 1970’s, forest plantation development in Sarawak was on a small scale with the
planting of indigenous and fast-growing exotic species. However, the development of
forest plantation began in the late 1970’s with the implementation of two programmes.
To put it differently, forest plantation development in Sarawak is treated more as a
reforestation programme than as a plantation project. The first is the Reforestation and
Forest Rehabilitation Programme implemented by the Sarawak Forest Department. The
main objective of this programme is to rehabilitate shifting cultivation areas and
degraded land inside the permanent forest estate and converting those areas into
productive forest. To date, a total of 24,173 ha of forest plantation had been established
in mostly shifting cultivation areas inside the permanent forest estate. The second
programme is the establishment of Planted forests whereby licenses for Planted Forests
(LPFs) are issued by the State government to the private sector, mostly big Timber
companies to enable them to establish forest plantation within their own license areas
in accordance to the approved Tree planting plan for a period of 60 years. Thus, on 1
March 1997, the State Government introduced the Forest (Planted Forests) Rules 1997
which regulates the development of Planted Forests in Sarawak. This marks the major
step in development of Forest plantation in Sarawak. The state government has set a
target to establish 1 million ha of planted forests by the year 2020. Currently, a total of
42 licenses for planted forest have been issued and the total area of planted forest
established is approximately 190,000 ha.
Currently, a total of 437,412 ha of forest plantation had been established in Malaysia.
Of this total, 56,827 ha were established in Peninsular Malaysia, 189,910 ha in Sabah
and 190,675 ha in Sarawak.
4.0 RUBBER PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT
Rubber was first introduced to Malaysia in 1877 with nine seedlings of rubber were
planted at Kuala Kangsar in the State of Perak. The seed were successfully germinated
in the glasshouse of the London’s Royal Botanical Gardens, and are the origin of
plantations in Peninsular Malaysia. By 1890’s, rubber has been planted commercially
in Malaysia, initially as intercrop in coffee plantations and later as a mono crop
planting. Prior to 1930’s, most of the rubber plantations established was by large estate
holding. It was in the beginning of 1960 with little investment by large estate, new
rubber planting was carried out by smallholders which obtained planting grant
provided by the government as well as various land development agencies such as
53
FELDA (Federal Land Development Authority), FELCRA (Federal Land
Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority), Rubber Industry (Replanting) Board, and
later RISDA (Rubber Smallholders Development Authority).
However, during the 1980’s the competitiveness and viability of the rubber sector
beginning to decline due to several factors including labor shortage, declining latex
prices, competition from other rubber producing countries and rising cost which give
rise to reduce profit margins. Moreover, in 1970’s and 1980’s new land development
give emphasis on the planting of oil palm which is more profitable crops due to its
shorter return to investment and less labor intensive. By the 1990’s there were a drastic
reduction in replanting of matured rubber as result of the conversion of old and mature
rubber stands into oil palm particularly by the estate. By the end of 1999, the total area
under rubber went down to 1.46 million ha as compare with 1.76 million ha in 1993. In
2007, the total area further reduced to 1.25 million ha of rubber land of which 1.20
million ha were smallholdings and only about 0.05 million ha of estate (Ang, 2008).
In the past, when an area of old rubber trees was to be planted, the trees were felled
and burnt. There was no value to the rubber wood except as firewood. However, it was
during the 1970’s that saw the emergence of rubber wood as a source of raw material
for the timber industry. Apart from sawn timber, rubber wood is used in the panel
industry, wood cement board, moulding and joinery and most significantly, the
furniture industry. Traditional source of rubber wood is from the matured trees in the
estates and the smallholdings. In view of the decline in rubber replanting, it is
anticipated that the supply of rubber wood may not be able to meet the demand of the
furniture industry. Therefore, it is imperative to establish an alternative source of
rubber wood supply through the establishment of rubber forest plantation.
4.1 Rubberwood as Forest Plantation Species
By 1890’s, the cultivation of rubber spread initially planted as inter cropping in coffee
plantations and later as mono cropping. These plantations produce latex, which for
many decades have contributed significantly to the economic well being of the country.
Rubber wood in conventional plantations is harvested when latex productivity declines
(economic life about 30 years) and yields 100 m3 per hectare of logs as by product, but
recovery of sawn timber is only 25 - 45 % because of poor stem form and small size.
Quality furniture, parquet, paneling, reconstituted panels (MDF), general utility timber
and charcoal, are manufactured from rubber wood. In less than a decade of research
and development by FRIM, rubber wood has emerged as a substitute for light tropical
forest hardwoods. Its acceptance as a sustainable plantation-grown, environmentally
friendly timber has given it wide appeal (FAO 2001).
54
Rubber wood has become a popular substitute for light tropical hardwoods and as one
of the major timbers for the production of furniture and indoor building components.
The main reasons for its acceptability are due to favourable timber and woodworking
properties and the relatively cheap raw material price. Low price of rubber wood has
made the wood highly competitive in comparison with timber from traditional sources,
natural and planted forests. Nevertheless, the supply of rubber wood from
conventional rubber plantations is declining rapidly as much of the rubber areas have
been replaced with oil palm. In view of this problem, government has launched new
forest plantation programme targeted to establish 375,000 ha of hardwood plantations
in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak within the next 15 years.
Of the eight species of timber trees recommended for planting, rubber TLC is more
preferable by the local planters as the amount of loan provided by the government is
higher than the amount allocated to other timber species, while the prerequisite land
area requirement (i.e. size of landholding) is lower. Timber latex clones for rubber
forest plantation are those recommended in group I and group II in the Malaysian
Rubber Board (LGM) planting recommendation. Table 1 gives the list of TLC and
their yields of latex and timber.
Table 1 Latex timber clones (TLC) of Hevea brasiliensis for rubber forest
plantation
CLONE
RRIM 929
RRIM 2001
RRIM 2002
RRIM 2008
RRIM 2009
RRIM 2014
RRIM 2015
RRIM 2016
RRIM 2020
RRIM 2023
RRIM 2024
RRIM 2025
RRIM 2026
RRIM 2027
PB260
PB 355
Latex yield (kg/ha/yr)
Estimated stem volume
(cu. m/tree)
3148
0.60
2850
0.41
2348
0.44
2686
0.33
2277
0.34
2007
0.53
2760
0.43
2582
0.43
2232
0.36
2822
0.35
2685
0.52
2700
0.63
2204
0.66
3036
0.60
1633
0.37
1397
0.53
Source: MRB Monograph No. 5
55
The development of Timber Latex-Timber-Clone plantation is almost similar to the
present establishment and maintenance of rubber estates with some silvicultural
modifications. The planting density is increased from 450 to 625 trees ha-1. To shorten
the gestation period, planting cycle is reduced from 25-35 to 15-20 years. Terracing is
not necessary as this will be replaced by tapping paths. The trees will be maintained
untapped for 6 years to allow better bole volume development. Tapping commences
following this and continues for 10 -15 years.
4.2 Products from rubber wood
Previous to the utilization of rubber wood for timber and timber-based products, the
felled trees were used as fuel wood e.g drying and smoking of sheet rubber,
tobacco-curing, brick making etc or just simply burnt away. In Malaysia, the first
commercial use of rubber wood is to convert it to charcoal as fuel for steel production
in the late 1960’s (Abdul Rashid 1998). The possibility of utilizing rubber wood for
purposes other than those mentioned above came about in the 1970’s as it was
envisaged then that there will be a shortage of logs from the forest in a not distance
future. Rubber wood is one of the more durable lumbers used in the manufacturing of
today's home furnishings. As a member of the maple family, rubber wood has a dense
grain character that is easily controlled in the kiln drying process. Rubber wood has
very little shrinkage making it one of the more stable construction materials available
for furniture manufacturing. Like maple, rubber wood is a sap producing species. In
the case of maple, it is sap; in the case of rubber wood, it is latex. Rubber wood
produces all the latex used in the world for all rubber based products.
Rubber wood is the most ecologically "friendly" lumber used in today's furniture
industry. After the economic life of the rubber tree, which is generally 26-30 years, the
latex yields become extremely low and the planters then fell the rubber trees and plant
new ones. So, unlike other woods that are cut down for the sole purpose of producing
furniture, rubber wood is used only after it completes it's latex producing cycle and
dies. This wood is therefore eco-friendly in the sense that we are now using what was
going as waste. The timber from rubber wood is very suitable for furniture making
based on the properties as follows;
Density(kg/M3 at 16% MC ---------------------------- 560-640
Tangential Shrinkage Coefficient (%) ------------- 1.2
Radical Shrinkage Coefficient (%) ----------------- 0.8
Hardness(N) ----------------------------------------------- 4,350
Static Bending, N/mm at 12% MC ------------------ 66
56
Modulus of elasticity,n/mm at 12%MC ------------ 9,700
Source : FRIM , Malaysia
The remarkable success of rubber wood as a raw material lies on its wood properties. It
has an average density at around 600 kg m3 and can be easily sawn, cut or nailed by
machine. The colour ranges from whitish yellow to pale cream and hence able to be
stained into various colour tones resembling expensive timber such as mahogany,
meranti and even teak. The greatest attraction is its texture, which is fine to medium.
Among the products made from rubber wood are dining sets, living room and bedroom
sets, chairs, casts and children furniture (Picture 1). The wood also used in the
manufacture of mouldings and a wide range of items like kitchen wares, decorative and
utility household items (bowls, knife blocks, bookshelves, trays and magazine racks).
Rubber wood makes attractive panelling, beading, skirting and edging, and also
suitable for parquet and strip flooring. The wood can be cut into small pieces, glue
laminated and used for production of items such as steps, railings, and balusters for
stairs, door and window components. The rubber chips are converted into
particleboards, cement boards and medium density fibreboard and used for furniture
components such as table tops, chair seats, back rests and ceiling panels.
Picture 1Rubber wood Products
5.0 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
In order to facilitate the private sector involvement as well as to encourage increased
investment in forest plantations, a National Committee on Forest Plantation
Development with full participation by the private sector was formed in April 1992 to
57
formulate a national strategy and action plan for the promotion and effective
implementation of the forest plantation programmes. In this context, the Government
of Malaysia has provided fiscal incentives by granting full tax exemption under the
Pioneer Status for ten years or 100% tax exemption under the Investment Tax
Allowance for five years respectively, effective from 29 October 1993 for forest
plantation establishment undertaken by the private sector. These incentives for full tax
exemption under the pioneer status and investment tax allowance were extended to
fifteen and ten years respectively in may 2003.
To further encourage the private sector to establish and develop forest plantations,
additional incentives were granted by the Government in January 2002, besides those
granted under the Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance, to enable private
company undertaking forest plantation projects to offset qualifying capital
expenditures, such as in the clearing and preparation of land, planting of timber
seedlings, provision of plant and machinery, building of access roads and bridges, and
construction or purchase of buildings, against income from other business sources of
the company under Schedule 4A of the Approved Agricultural Projects. The rotation
cycle for the 75 approved species varies from a minimum of 6 years to a maximum of
50 years depending on the type of species planted, while the minimum area planted
should be at least 50 hectares.
Notwithstanding this, on 21 May 2003, the Government of Malaysia has also provided
further incentives to encourage the establishment and development of plantation forests
by the private sector through the “New Strategies Towards Stimulating the Nation‘s
Economic Growth”, where under the “Group Relief” a company is allowed to reduce
its tax burden by offsetting its losses from profit of another company within the same
group. In addition to the qualifying capital expenditures as allowed under Schedule
4A of the Approved Agricultural Projects, companies are also allowed to include
expenses incurred in pre-operating activities, such as:(i)
preparation of the Forest Management Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) Report etc.;
(ii) fees related to the procurement of timber certification;
(iii) surveying work; and
(iv) enrichment planting, silviculture, pest and diseases control and fire management.
These major incentives for forest plantation establishment and development are
provided under the Promotion of Investment Act, 1986, Income Tax Act, 1967 and
“New Strategies Towards Stimulating the Nation’s Economic Growth” announced by
58
the Government on 21 May 2003. In addition to the incentives provide by the Federal
Government, several state governments are currently providing incentives in terms of
low land premium and annual rent for companies undergoing forest plantation projects
in the states concerned.
6.0 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
It is known fact that timber tree species require relatively require relatively long
gestation period to reach maturity from the day of planting. It varies from 5-7 years for
pulp wood and 15-20 years for the production of general utility timber. During the long
gestation period, very little or no income is generated, except from the thinning
operations. Unfortunately, limited number or no existing commercial banks are willing
to provide loan for investment in forest plantation programme. The establishment of
forest plantations is high risk and required very high initial capital outlays. Substantial
funds are also required for land preparation, procurement of planting material, labor
cost for panting and tending activities as well as infrastructural developments. With all
of the above incentives provided by the federal government, many potential investors
claim that these incentives are insufficient and not attractive enough to bring
investment in forest plantation.
Research and development (R&D) in forest plantation is paramount important for a
successful plantation programme. It is crucial to determine the most suitable timber
species that would ultimately generate substantive revenue from commercial
establishment of forest plantations. There is a need to further conduct focus and
intensified research on an identified promising species for forest plantation covering
comprehensive information on the silvics and silvicultural characters as well as
intensifying tree breeding and improvement programme. R&D is most eminent in
species/clonal selection, genetic breeding, nursery tending and the economics and
development of silvicultural techniques for each species planted. More often, logs
produced in the rubber production have relatively smaller diameter which giving rise to
high harvesting and processing costs. In addition the bulk of the wood only suitable for
low value products, e.g MDF and chipboard, whereby a small percentage is good or
saw log quality. Hence, R&D for rubber forest plantation needs to focus on
agronomic and cultural practices to produce maximum wood with more emphasis on
higher financial return
Land availability and land tenure ship is another important issue related to forest
plantation establishment. A study conducted by Malaysian Timber Council has
59
indicated that areas available for future plantation development are very limited as well
as scattered in small fragment sizes which are not economical. It is clear that new
establishment of forest plantation must be outside the Permanent Reserved Forest. This
is similar in case of rubber where the small and fragmented nature of the smallholdings,
in addition to its remote location poses difficulty in ensuring fuller utilization of the
available rubber wood from replanting activities, thus not attractive for economic
harvesting of the timber.
Investment into forest plantation establishment also involves a labor intensive venture
which requires readily supply of stalled labor workforce to carry out wide ranges of
forest plantation activities. In the Malaysian situation, the use of machineries for forest
plantation establishment is rather limited due to terrain conditions. However, heavy
reliance on foreign workers poses a problem of a high turn over rate to other sector.
7.0 STRATEGIES FOR THE WAY FORWARD
In Malaysia, forest plantation development will continue to form an important
component of the sustainable forest resource of the country. In this regard, it is
essential to ensure that forest plantation will supplement the future wood supply in
order to safeguard the prosperity of the timber industry. In view of these, the following
strategies have been outlined as the way forward.
7.1 Enhancement of Sound Policy and Legislation in Promoting the Development of
Forest Plantation
Recognizing that there is an urgent to address the issues and challenges arise from
forest plantation, there is a need to formulate a National Forest Plantations
Development Policy as well as practical action plan for further enhancing and
strengthening the implementation the forest development programme. The policy must
provide clear objective and direction for the establishment of forest plantations in the
country.
In order to facilitate the process, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and
Commodities has been given the responsibility to formulate policy for forest plantation
establishment. In view of that, the National Task-Force for Forest Plantation
Development was formed and it comprises of members from both the government and
private sectors. This Task-Force is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Plantation
Industries and Commodities. In order to facilitate the Task-Force two (2) Technical
Committees has been formed. The Technical Committee on Forest Plantation
Development focus on the various technical aspects of forest plantation establishment,
60
amongst other’s the selection of species, management and silvicultural regimes
adopted and the potential market for the end-products. Meanwhile, Financial
Committee on Forest Plantation Development has been given the task to look into the
financial aspects of forest plantation such as potential financial incentives as well as
physical incentives.
Similarly, several state governments in Peninsular Malaysia are also taking proactive
steps in the development of forest plantation whereby special committees are formed to
coordinate and to process land application for forest plantation project. In the case of
Pahang, some 17,000 ha of land have been identified to be developed by private sector
for plantation establishment. The State of Sabah has also taken a major policy shift in
promoting the participation of the private sector in the implementing of Sustainable
Forest Management (SFM). One of the policy action plans is aggressive reforestation
programmes, which include Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP).In the Sustainable Forest
License Agreement (SFMLA), which was signed between the State Government and
the SFMLA holder, there are clauses in the SFMLA that allow the SFMLA holder to
develop part of their area for ITP. As at 2007, the cumulated total area planted under
the forest plantation programme in Sabah is approximately 189,910.29 ha (Forestry
Department Sabah, 2007). In Sarawak, the Government has amended the Forest
Ordinance to allow for the issue of license by the Forest Department for “tree
plantation rights”. The amendments provide for the establishment of planted forests,
principally on state land, including shifting cultivation areas and with the consent of its
registered proprietor, also on alienated land. Subsequently, coupled with the
introduction of the Forests (Planted Forests) Rules 1997, the private sector has
been very keen to be involved in the forest plantation programme.
7.2 Providing Attractive Incentives to Further Encourage the Participation of Private
Sector
To further enhance the participation of private sector in the forest plantation
establishment, the government needs to provide further financial support for future
expansion of forest plantation areas. In view of that, under the Financial Commercial
Forest Plantation Development Programme, a sum of RM 1.045 billion has been
allocated by the Government for the purpose covering two phase from 2006- 2008
amounted to RM180 million, and second phase from the period 2007-2011 involving
RM 865 million. The programme covers investors from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah
and Sarawak and open to government agencies, private and public companies.
For this purpose, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and Malaysian
Timber Industrial Board have established Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on 13 Feb.
61
2006 known as Forest Plantation Development Sdn. Bhd. This SPV will manage and
handle the channeling of the available fund in the form of soft loans to the respective
companies or agencies involved in the programme. In addition, the SPV is responsible
for monitoring and auditing the progress of the forest plantation establishment. It offers
to the Malaysian public listed companies with a minimum of 51% local equity and
registered under Companies Act 1965 (non listed should have 100% Malaysian owned),
minimum paid up capital of at least RM500,000 (MTC, 2008).
In Peninsular Malaysia, the location of the project must be located either on state land
or alienated but not on Permanent Forest Reserve or areas that have been gazetted for
conservation and water catchments purposes. The companies shall have a minimum of
2,500 ha for planting of rubber species, 15,000 ha of Acacia and other species. The
loan is based on 3.5% interest rate (compounded annually during grace period and
shall be compounded daily for 5 years after the grace period). Loan period is 20 years,
grace period 15 years and payback period of 5 years. Under the programme, the
government has set a target to establish 375,000 ha of plantation forests within the
period of 15 years. Currently, 14 companies have been approved loan amounted to
RM254 million to finance the development of the forest plantation covering an area of
56,435 ha (Zaini,2008).
7.3 Intensify Effective Research and Development
In order to ensure that the forest plantation development program continued to be
successful, further R&D works are needed to enhance the knowledge base on various
aspects of forest plantation establishment and management Thus, it is essential that an
integrated research covering evaluation of the existing selected potential species as
well as improved quality planting materials need to be further strengthened. At the
same time, new approaches need to be developed such as “mixed-crop planting”,
“multi-storied forest” and suitable agro forestry model. The establishment of forest
plantation must also take into consideration the current concern for environmental and
biodiversity conservation. In addition, effective management and sivicultural regimes
for both production and protection purposed including appropriate defensive
mechanism against pest, disease and forest invasive species outbreaks are pursued. In
this regards, “A Manual for Forest Plantation Establishment in Malaysia” has been
produced which provide information that is useful toward the establishment of forest
plantations in the country. Subsequently, this manual will be expected to be regularly
updated as research and plantation experience progress in the future.
In the case of rubber, the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia collaborated with
the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) to establish a pilot rubber wood forest plantation
62
using several potential clones specifically of ‘Timber Latex Clone’ since 1990. To date,
a total of 1,831 ha of pilot rubber wood forest plantation have been established in
Peninsular Malaysia. Early results indicated that RRIM2000 series clones have shown
good performance in terms of growth and form. Currently, MRB has produced and
selected latex timber clones and timber clones suitable for the production of both latex
and timber or timber only based in group one and group two in the MRB planting
recommendation. In addition, “Rubber Forest Plantation” guide has been produced to
provide information’s on the production of high quality planting materials as well as
on the agronomic practices on planting and managing the plantation and the economic
of a rubber forest plantation.
7.4 Harnessing the Carbon Sequestration Potentials in Forest Plantation Development
The role of forest plantation as carbon sinks offers interesting opportunities for the
establishment of new forest plantations for sequestrating carbon. Under the Kyoto
Protocol which was negotiated in December 1997 requires that developed countries as
a group reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5% compared to 1990 levels,
between 2008 and 2012. It also recognizes forests, their soils and products in climate
change mitigation. A forestation and reforestation were recognized as the only eligible
land uses under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The CDM is one of the
three flexibility mechanisms in the Kyoto Protocol enables developed countries to
achieve a portion of their emission reductions by implementing carbon sequestration
projects in developing countries as well as to help developed countries meet their
reduction targets cost – effectively. In this context, the private companies may consider
investment under this approach.
8.0
CONCLUSION
The quest for establishment of well managed forest plantation in Malaysia is
progressing as advocated in the numerous strategies and actions taken to promote it
development. In moving forward, new approaches are needed in order to accelerate
further the development of forest plantation in the country. In this regards, the
government, industries, research institutions, bankers and the investors would have to
work together concertedly to make it a reality. Ultimately, the government needs to
play it role in establishing the enabling environment and providing attractive incentives
as well as other inputs to the investors. In return, the latter will invest in full confidence
and committed to the sustainability of the forest plantation development program in the
country.
63
REFERENCES
Abdul Rashid, A.M. 1998. Review of recent technologies in processing and utilization
of rubber wood. Pp30-36 in Abdul Rashid, A.M & Lim,S.C. (Eds.)
Proceedings of the Colloquium on Rubber wood Resources and Technologies,
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, 52109 Selangor
Ang, C.S. 2008. Economics of Rubber Forest Plantation. Paper presented at the
Seminar Perladangan Hutan Getah Kebangsaan 2008: Sumber Penting
Bekalan Kayu-Kayan Masa Hadapan, Kuala Lumpur, 13-14 November 2008.
Food Agriculture Organization 2001. Non-forest tree plantations, by W. Killmann.
Forest plantations thematic paper series. Rome. (unpublished).
Forestry Department Sabah. 2007. Annual Report 2007. 148pp.
MTC.2008. MTC Guidebook: Incentives for the Wood-based sector. MTC, Kuala
Lumpur.
Zaini, I. R. 2008. Programme Ladang Hutan Secara Komersial. Paper presented at the
Seminar Perladangan Hutan Getah Kebangsaan 2008: Sumber Penting
Bekalan Kayu-Kayan Masa Hadapan, Kuala Lumpur, 13-14 November 2008.
64
Information on Situation of MyanmarTeak,
Hardwood & Rubber Plantation in Brief
Soe Yee
1.
Export Marketing & Milling Department
Myanma Timber Enterprise,
Ministry of Forestry,
Union of Myanmar,E-mail: gmexport@myanma.com.mm
INTRODUCTION
Myanmar, a tropical country in continental south East Asia, Lies between Latitudes 9˙
58' to 28˙ 29' North and longitudes 92˙ 10' to 101˙ 10' East. The country has a total
land area of 676 , 577 Km2. The country's length from south to north is about 2090 km
and the maximum width from west to east is about 805 km. The country has four
important river systems, flowing in the north-southerly direction, of which the
Ayeyarwady River, the main waterway, is navigable for about 1.450 Km.
The country is bordered by Bangladesh and India on the north-west, China on the
south-east, Laos and Thailand on the south-east and the Bay of Bengal on the south
and west
Most parts of Myanmar lie within the tropic, the Tropic of centre passing through the
country about a hundred and fifty kilometers north of Mandalay. She enjoys three
seasons: the wet, the cold and the dry.
The wet season is from mid-May to October end. During this period the south-west
monsoon brings rain from the Bay of Bengal. The coastal regions receive about 500
centimeters of rain, the Ayeyarwady delta, about 250 centimeters and hilly regions
about 200 cm. Central Myanmar which lies within the rain shallow of the Rakhine
Yoma receives about 50 to 75 centimeters of anmual rainfall.
The cold season is from early November to late February when temperatures in the
south of the country may drop to 15.5˙ C. In other areas the cold is more intense.
The hot season comes before the rains. Temperatures in the south are around 37.75˙ C
but those in the central Myanmar may be as high as 43˙ C. Myanmar's seasons, soil and
water are suitable to grow forest well.
65
2.
CONSERVING FOREST RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
Myanmar is regarded as land of diverse culture, traditions and natural resources. It is
endowed with one of the largest forest covers in the region. More than half of the
country is still covered with closed forests, which have been well managed under the
Myanmar Selection System ( MSS ). Forest resources play a dominant role in
improving the socio-economic life of the people of the nation. The country is the
world's prime supplier of natural teak (Tectonagrandis) which is one of the pillars of
the state's economy. About 75% of the total population of 52 million live in rural areas
and its growth rate is 1.84% .
Myanmar produces Timber for the Domestic Market and for Export, While conserving
the soil and water of the forest environment. Myanmar's Economy is Agriculture
-Based and, therefore and water conservation and maintaining the environmental
stability are of prime importance not only for the forestry sector, but also for
agriculture sustainability.
3.
66
FOREST
POLICY (1995 )
(i)
Protection
Â
Protection of soil, water,
biodiversity and environment.
( ii )
Sustainability
Â
Sustainability of forest resources to insure
perpetual supply of both tangible and
intangible benefits accrued from the
forests for the present and future
generations.
( iii )
Basic Needs
Â
Supply the basic needs of the people for
fuel, shelter, food and recreation.
( iv )
Efficiency
Â
Efficiency
to
harness,
in
the
social-environmentally friendly manner,
the full economic potential of the forest
wildlife,
resources.
(v)
Participation
Â
Participation of the people in the
conservation and utilization of Forests.
( vi )
Public Awareness
Â
Public awareness about the vital role of
the forests in the well being and
social-economic development of the
nation.
4. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
The Ministry of Forestry consists of 5 governmental institutions, of which four are
primarily concerned with forestry, as follows.
5.
(i)
Forest
Department
( FD ) is responsible for protection,
conservation, of natural forest, Plantation and sustainable
management of forest resources.
( ii )
Myanma Timber Enterprise ( MTE ) is responsible for timber
harvesting, milling, downstream processing and marketing of forest
products.
( iii )
Dry Zone Greening Department ( DZGD ) is responsible for
reforestation 0f degraded forest lands and restoration of the
environment in the dry zone of central Myanmar.
( iv )
Planning and Statistics Department ( PSD ) is responsible for
coordinating and facilitating the task of FD, MTE and DZGB
following the directives the Ministry of Forestry, and acts a forum on
policy issues in forestry.
FOREST
COVER
AREA OF
MYANMAR.
67
Closed Forests
Open Forests
Total Forests
Other Wood Land
Other Land (including water bodies)
Total Land Area
6.
SPECIAL
TEAK
PLANTATION
( 000 ha )
Percent
25,841.00
9,426.90
35,267.90
11,435.30
20,954.70
67,657.90
38.19
13.93
52.13
16.90
30.97
100.00
PROGRAMMER
(
STPP )
Initiated by Ministry Of Forestry STPP was formulated by Forest Department in
1998 with a rotation of 40 years. Annual planting rate of 20,000 acres and at the end
of 40 years (2038 ) a grand total of 8,000,000 acres of teak plantation would be
established. FD estimates that after the year 2038, sustainable annual production
from 20,000 acres of special teak plantation would be as height as 1.8 million cubic
meter. This does not even include earlier returns from thinning operations.
7.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY INSTRUCTIONS
Community forestry Instructions were issued by FD in 1995 and marked a
significant development in the aspects of partnership, participation and decentralization
in managing the forest in Myanmar. The instructions grant the local communities tree
and forest land tenurial rights for an initial 30-year period, which is extendable. FD
provides land, technical assistance and plays the leadership role in the exercise of
community forestry.
8.
PRIVATE
TEAK
PLANTATION
POLICY
As per Forest Law ( 1992 ), " A standing teak treed wherever situated in the state is
owned by the state, " In the past time establishment of teak plantation and extraction,
trading of teak is entirely done by governmental agency.
In the recent time, the government allows local investors to establish teak plantations.
This is the great opportunity for local entrepreneurs and also chances to establish joint
ventures with foreign farms.
Government leases the forest land to plant teak in 40 years. The cost for land is only
68
500 kyat per acre per year for Myanmar national. The outturn of teak from plantations
is shared between government and private in the patio of 25:75 respectively.
9.
PROCEDURE FOR PRIVATE TEAK & HARDWOOD PLANTATION
Rubber plantation investor has to propose to Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation.
Other Procedures are the same as above.
10. EXPENDITURES
The expenditures for Teak plantation are shown in table (1). The total cost is about
US$ 985 per acre.
11. TURN OVER OF TEAK PLANTATION
The rotation for teak plantation is fixed at 40 years and thinning operations are
carried out at, tenth seventeen, twenty fifteen and thirty-fifth years. But, depend on the
site quality and plantation treatment thinning can be carried out as early as this
schedule.
The outcome from teak plantation is shown in table (2) and (3). It is estimated that the
69
average income from teak plantation is about US$ 170,670 per acre.
Profit (One Acre )
Õ
Õ
Õ
Õ
Õ
US$
Income From plantation
Private owner Ratio 75%
Expenditure
Gross Profit
Profit cost ratio
170,670
12,8003
985
127,018
1 : 129
12. EXPENDITURES ( ONE ACRE )
TABLE ( 1 )
1. Land survey & Clearing
2. Nursery & Plantation
3. Plantation Area Maintenance
Total
13. TIMBER OUTCOME
Sr
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Years
Initial
Tree
10
years
17
years
35
years
40
years
After
years
260
200
525
985
USD
USD
USD
USD
FROM TEAK PLANTATION TABLE (2)
( Initial Plant One Acre = 540 Trees )
Thinning & Clear-Felling
Poles
Circumference Height
Timber
&
Size (Inches) (Feet)
Tons
No of
Main
Crops
No of
Trees
490-540
-
-
-
-
-
-
122
121
19.8 inches
59 feet
-
9.6
9.6
90
32
27 inches
76 feet
0.2
10.4
10.6
73
17
40.5 inches
99 feet
9.6
39.1
48.7
65
8
44 inches
104
feet
-
-
-
0
65
-
-
65
74.4
139.4
74.8
133.5
208.3
Total
Total
Table ( 3 )
70
14. INVESTMENT RETURN FROM TEAK PLANTATION
( Initial Investment One Acre = 985 USD )
15 CONCLUSION
The estimation makes on minimum price based on the current market. We expected to
get more at the time of extracting teak. Although establishing teak plantation is long
term activity, it is not only rather profitable for us but also ensuring enough raw
material to wood based industries.
In the recent time, the foreign investors are allowed establish teak Hardwood &
Rubber Plantations with local partner.
16. SITUATION OF WOOD BASED INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR
Government
Sector
Myanmar timber enterprise (MTE )
- Saw Mils
Furniture Factories
Plywood Factories
Moulding Factories
Block Board Factory
[
[
[
[
[
91
5
5
3
1
]
]
]
]
]
71
Private sector
-
Saw Mils
Plywood Mils
Precutting Saw Mils
Small finished product factories
17. MYANMAR
2008 )
TIMBER
EXPORT
[
[
258 ]
5
]
[ 1479 ]
[ 1588 ]
&
SALE
SITUATION
( 2003 -
(i) Government Sector
( Tons)
No.
Year
Teak logs
Teak
Conversions
Hardwood
Logs
Ton
Ton
Ton
Teak Value
Added
Products
Ton
Total
Ton
1
2003-2004
215535
22323
357718
9815
605391
2
2004-2005
250007
33341
462919
15722
761989
3
2005-2006
272732
30059
589144
21271
913206
4
2006-2007
294282
19707
602142
27145
943276
5
2007-2008
232544
19836
724436
27018
1003834
(ii)
( Private Sector )
No
Fiscal Year
Teak
Conversions
Hardwood
Logs
Hardwood
Conversions
1
2003-2004
13280
160871
10592
2
2004-2005
11163
207137
6983
3
2005-2006
19655
254651
14141
4
2006-2007
19593
200213
9636
5
2007-2008
21726
154514
12106
72
18. POTENTIAL SUPPLY & DOMESTIC DEMAND PROJECTION FOR TEAK
Supply Projection( Hoppus Ton)
Yields from
AACs from Natural
Forests (Vol.)
N.T.Ps (Vol.)
S.T.Ps (Vol.)
Year
Total
(Vol.)
Domestic
Demand
(Vol.)
2001-2002
226,924
189,173
416,097
131,300
2002-2003
226,924
218,670
445,594
132,607
2003-2004
226,924
200,800
427,724
133,919
2004-2005
226,924
203,400
430,324
135,238
2005-2006
226,924
214,133
441,057
136,563
2006-2007
226,924
213,870
440,794
137,894
2007-2008
226,924
187,853
414,777
139,231
2008-2009
226,924
273,270
1,000,194
140,572
500,000
2009-2010
226,924
272,768
500,000
999,692
141,919
2010-2011
226,924
327,382
500,000
1,054,306
143,271
2011-2012
226,924
297,359
500,000
1,024,283
144,628
2012-2013
226,924
205,415
500,000
932,339
145,989
2013-2014
226,924
285,397
500,000
1,012,321
147,355
2014-2015
226,924
334,185
500,000
1,061,109
148,724
2015-2016
226,924
349,905
740,000
1,316,829
150,097
2016-2017
226,924
392,646
740,000
1,359,570,
151,474
2017-2018
226,924
204,907
740,000
1,171,831
152,854
2018-2019
226,924
197,998
740,000
1,164,922
154,237
2019-2020
226,924
182,214
740,000
1,149,138
155,622
2020-2021
226,924
234,034
740,000
1,200,958
157,009
2021-2022
226,924
233,729
740,000
1,200,653
158,398
2022-2023
226,924
224,565
740,000
1,191,489
159,789
2023-2024
226,924
189,353
856,000
1,272,277
161,181
2024-2025
226,924
121,194
856,000
1,204,118
162,574
2025-2026
226,924
171,767
856,000
1,254,691
163,967
2026-2027
226,924
190,509
856,000
1,273,433
165,360
2027-2028
226,924
206,593
856,000
1,289,517
166,753
2028-2029
226,924
231,595
856,000
1,314,519
168,145
2029-2030
226,924
134,750
856,000
1,217,674
169,535
2030-2031
226,924
130,655
856,000
1,213,579
170,924
6,807,720
6,820,089
16,268,000
29,895,809
4,527,129
Total
Note
(1)N.T.Ps refer to Normal Teak Plantation. (2)S.T.Ps refer to Special Teak Plantations.
(3)Final yields cannot be obtained from both normal and special teak plantations during the master
73
pln period Yields mentioned in the above table are volumes from the posts.
19. POTENTIAL SUPPLY AND DOMESTIC DEMAND PROJECTION
FOR OTHER HARDWOODS AND PIN
Year
2001-2002
Supply Projection ( Hoppus Tons )
Hardwoods Pine
AACs from Natural
Forests (Vol.)
N.T.Ps (Vol.)
S.T.Ps (Vol.)
2,879,560
44,127
4,165
Total
(Vol.)
Domestic
Demand
(Vol.)
2,927,852
1,166,632
2002-2003
2,879,560
60,944
9,896
2,950,400
1,185,529
2003-2004
2,879,560
83,944
15,356
2,978,860
1,204,739
2004-2005
2,879,560
79,690
13,260
2,972,510
1,224,265
2005-2006
2,879,560
46,566
15,085
2,941,211
1,244,115
2006-2007
2,879,560
43,082
2,865
2,925,507
1,264,149
2007-2008
2,879,560
19,994
5,975
2,905,529
1,284,512
2008-2009
2,879,560
42,198
3,635
2,925,393
1,305,208
2009-2010
2,879,560
39,728
5,205
2,924,493
1,326,243
2010-2011
2,879,560
47,828
9,297
2,936,685
1,347,622
2011-2012
2,879,560
42,695
10,929
2,933,184
1,366,980
2012-2013
2,879,560
39,964
10,451
2,929,975
1,386,607
2013-2014
2,879,560
50,413
9,948
2,939,921
1,406,505
2014-2015
2,879,560
53,828
20,867
2,954,255
1,426,679
2015-2016
2,879,560
70,789
23,757
2,974,106
1,447,132
2016-2017
2,879,560
65,735
17,530
2,962,825
1,466,147
2017-2018
2,879,560
47,925
25,083
2,952,568
1,485,394
2018-2019
2,879,560
52,935
6,853
2939,348
1,504,874
2019-2020
2,879,560
39,615
8,647
2,927,822
1,524,591
2020-2021
2,879,560
52,425
7,297
2,939,282
1,544,546
2021-2022
2,879,560
51,000
8,203
2,938,763
1,562,889
2022-2023
2,879,560
48,963
9,700
2,938,223
1,581,423
2023-2024
2,879,560
43,068
9,700
2,932,328
1,600,150
2024-2025
2,879,560
37,719
8,950
2,926,229
1,619,072
2025-2026
2,879,560
42,477
9,553
2,931,590
1,638,190
2026-2027
2,879,560
38,850
13,945
2,932,355
1,654,538
2027-2028
2,879,560
40,980
13,795
2,934,335
1,671,017
2028-2029
2,879,560
39,480
10,900
2,929,940
1,687,626
2029-2030
2,879,560
51,670
28,690
2,959,920
1,704,366
2030-2031
2,879,560
55,720
22,240
2,957,520
1,721,236
Total
86,386,800
1,474,352
361,777
88,222,929
43,552,976
74
Note:(1) Final yields cannot be obtained from hardwoods and pine plantations during the mast plan
period; (2) Yields mentioned in the above table are volumes from posts.
20. SOME FACTS FOR FOREIGN DIRECT
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF MYANMAR.
Sr
No
1
Items
Types of Economic
Activities Allowed
Types
Investment
3
Minimum Amount
of Foreign Capital
Indicative
Land
Rentals
(per
acre
per
annum)
Period
of
Land
Occupancy
Potential Fallow Land
and Waste Land
Available for Foreign
Investment
5
6
IN
Particulars
2
4
INVESTMENT
of
.
Cultivation, producing, processing and marketing of
seasonal agricultural crops
· Establishing plantations, producing, processing and
marketing of their produce
· Establishing agro-based industries to produce
value-added agricultural products
· 100% Foreign Investment (sole proprietorship,
partnership, limited company)
· Joint-venture between the foreigner and a citizen
(minimum foreign capital 35%)
· Joint-venture between the foreigner and a state-owned
enterprise (minimum foreign capital 35%
• For Industry : US$ 500,000
• For Services : US$ 300,000
8
Perennial crop cultivation on fallow land
US$
Crop cultivation on deep water land
US$
8
Crop cultivation on fallow land in dru zone
US$
15
( 1 hectare = 2.471 acre )
Up to 30 (Thirty) years which can be expanded another 30
years depending upon the types of project.
Sr States and divisions Area (000
Suitable for
ha)
Rubber
1
Kachin
4,312
139
2
Kayah
76
3
3
Kayin
237
64
4
Chin
3,109
5
Sagaing
5,661
5
6
Tanintharyi
4,331
244
7
Bago
730
198
8
Magway
221
9
Mandalay
1,073
10
Mon
444
265
11
Yangon
55
44
12
Shan
2,851
360
13
Ayeyarwady
462
51
Total
23,733
1,468
75
21. RUBBER AREA OF MYANMAR
( 2007-2008 ) Financial Year
Sr
1
2
3
4
5
State / Division
Kachin
Kayar
Kayin
Chin
Sagaing
Acres
29747
111
106703
15
4240
6
Taninthayi
7
Bago
Bago
(East)
(West)
70758
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Magawe
Mandalay
Mon
Yangon
Rakhain
Shan (North)
Shan (East)
Shan (South)
Ayerawaddy
Total
42
203
379765
34962
22228
40931
64919
347
11995
939700
172734
Total Ares
Trees / Area
939700 x 200
=
Total Trees
187,940,000
16 % total are above 30 years age.
Therefore, ready to felling for rubber wood
= 30,070,400
10 Trees = 1 H / Ton
30070400 Trees = 3,007,040 H / Ton
22. FUTURE SITUATION OF RUBBER WOOD INDUSTRY
As shown in the table , Myanmar has been encouraging to establish Rubber Plantations
to fulfill the Industrial demands for local as well as abroad. Through the technical
know-how in Rubber Wood Industry is not yet developed much, within a few years,
this Industry has to be promoted by the assistance of those who have already
experienced.
76
Rubber Plantation in Nepal
Udaya Raj Sharma Resource Development Initiative Center,
Kathmandu P.O.Box 6944,
Kathmandu,Nepal Email Udayasharma@yahoo.com
Abstract: 1970 marks the genesis of rubber plantation in Nepal . The first rubber
plantation on a commercial scale was started in Sanischare, Jhapa district in an area
of 50 acres in 1970. This was conducted on an experimental basis by an entrepreneur
Jaya Prasad Dhakal .
Plantation of rubber is relatively small and has not expanded
and is constrained by lack of conducive Government policy. 90 per cent of
rubber is imported even though the country has the ability to produce all the needs
domestically and be self reliant.
Government rubber promotion policy will enhance the production and productivity of
rubber by ensuring conducive environment and providing incentives , financial support
and education
Rubber should be considered priority commercial crop which can increase revenue and
generate direct and indirect employment to rural population and reduce migration
to the cities in search of jobs
1
INTRODUCTION
Nepal is a landlocked multiethnic, multilingual, multi-religious country situated in the
lap of the Mount Everest, between India and China. The total land area is 147181 sq
km (56136 sq mile). It has in rectangular shape, stretches northwest to southeast
between latitude 26o22 N and 30o27 N and the longitude are between 80o4 E and
88o12 E. There is a great variation in the climatic and ecological zone within a short
distance of its surface area. It is extending about 885 km in east west and 193 km
(130-240 km) wide from north south. Nepal has an extreme range of altitude which
ranging from 60 m to the height 8,848-m of Mount Everest.
The total land of Nepal comprises about 14.7 million ha. Out of the total land area
agricultural land occupy approximately 27 percent. All the agricultural land is not used
under crop cultivation, it is estimated that about 20 percent of the total land is under
cropping. Approx. 11.5 percent total land area is occupied by rangelands. Most of the
77
rangelands are located in northern belt. About 38.1 percent of the land is under forests
and about 4.7 under shrub and burn plantation. The land use pattern is rapidly changing;
increasing pressure of human as well as livestock is the major factor for its
manipulation.
Nepal’s Climatic diversity is hospitable to a variety of commercial crops including
rubber The transformation from cereal to commercial farming began in the early 70’s
but took a rapid pace in the late 80s . The commercial crops are popular in the eastern
region and there are roads and drainage and the infrastructure for the commercial crops
are still to be fully developed. Commercial crops like Tea, Coffee, vegetable and fruits
comprise 25% of the total cropping area and it is very recent rubber was introduced.
Nepal’s soil and climate is very receptive to the variety of crops. It’s temperate and
sub tropical climate is very suitable for a variety of commercial crops.
2
METHODOLOGY
A more pragmatic approah was adopted in garnering information. A combination of
retrieving documents and generating new data was used.
3
SITUATION OF RUBBER PLANTATION
Rubber plantation is of very recent history. The first rubber plantation on a
commercial scale was started in Sanischare, Jhapa district in an area of 50 acres in
1970. This was conduced on an experimental basis by an entrepreneur Jaya Prasad
Dhakal .This marked the genesis of Rubber in Nepal. The climatic conditions, the soil,
the drainage, the rainfall all the requirements for a good harvest was existing in Jhapa.
The semi tropical climatic conditions was very hospitable to rubber. The result was
very promising. This motivated small farmers to diversify to rubber plantation.
Slowly rubber plantation was replicated by small farmers and small land holdings
came under rubber plantation and expanded to other regions .
With the establishment of Gorakhali Rubber Industry in 1982
rubber plantation
expanded to other areas
Rubber has the potential to be accorded high priority
commercial crop which can increase revenue and generate direct and indirect
employment to rural population and
reduce migration to the cities in search of jobs
78
4
AREA UNDER CULTIVATION AND YIELD PER HECTARE
Rubber plantation is mostly concentrated in the eastern region and the mid western
region . This is due to it’s climatic conditions education ,awareness of the farmers
and the economic incentives
It accounts for ten percent of the raw materials needed for the production by the only
national owned Rubber factory. Most of the rubber is imported. It’s subtropical climate
in the southern plains and a slightly elevated area in the mid west and western region
provide fertile ground for rubber plantation. Humid tropical climate prevails in the
rubber-growing tract. Average annual rainfall in the tract varies from about 2000-4500
mm. The southern parts of the traditional tract enjoy southwest and northeast
monsoons almost equally while the northern areas receive mostly the southwest
monsoon. From south to north the drought period extends from two to five months in
a year and the distribution of rainfall becomes more uneven. However, variation in
temperature and humidity in the rubber tract is not so marked as that of the rainfall.
The temperature remains very warm and humidity very high throughout the year.
Rainfall of 2000 to 3000 mm evenly distributed without any marked dry season and
with 125 to 150 rainy days per annum
(1)Maximum temperature of about 29oC to 34oC and minimum of about 20oC or more
with a monthly mean of 25 to 28oC
(2)High atmospheric humidity of the order of 80%
(3)Bright sunshine amounting
to about 2000 h per annum at
the rate of 6 h per day
through all the months
(4)Absence of strong winds
Only a few regions in Nepal
meet
all
these
requirements.
Fortunately
rubber can be grown successfully under moderately deviating conditions too. Soil in
the rubber tract is generally highly weathered and consists mostly of laterite, lateritic
types. Sedimentary types and nonlateritic red and alluvial soils are also seen in some
non-traditional areas. The laterite and lateritic soils are mostly very porous, well
drained, moderately to highly acidic, deficient in available phosphorus and varying in
79
potassium and magnesium content. Red soil found in some areas is characterized by
reddish to brown colour and fine loamy texture. This soil is generally acidic and
highly deficient in available phosphorus. Soil in the rubber tract is generally highly
weathered and consists mostly of laterite, lateritic types. Sedimentary types and
nonlateritic red and alluvial soils are also seen in some non-traditional areas. The
laterite and lateritic soils are mostly very porous, well drained, moderately to highly
acidic, deficient in available phosphorus and varying in potassium and magnesium
content. Red soil found in some areas is characterized by reddish to brown colour and
fine loamy texture. This soil is Well-drained soil is essential for optimum growth and
yield of rubber plants. In marshy areas, owing to poor physical properties and
waterlogged conditions growth of rubber is always found to be very poor.
More than 80 percent of the area Under rubber in Nepal is accounted by small holdings.
Average land holding is 0.5 acre .
The rubber plant is not a native plant of Nepal. It was promoted with the
establishment of Gorakhkali Rubber factory The largest plantation is 50 acres in Jhapa.
The agro-climatic suitability of the plantations and their potential for producing high
volumes of quality latex made the government further extend the effort all over the
state.
In Nepal rubber is attaining more and more importance The possibility of showing an
increasing trend in area under rubber is very promising
At present 88 percent of the total area under rubber belongs to Eastern region in
Jhapa district State and 10 percent of Nepal’s production is located in the western
region . It is also worth mentioning that in convention of area under other crops to
rubber is possibility of attacking place with a high pace, probably due to high returns,
needs to devise attractive incentives offered by the Government and socioeconomic
reasons,. In Jhapa nearly 20,000 hectares have the potential to of being converted
to rubber crop annually if provided incentives, the adequate environment, subsidy
and education and training .
In Nepal rubber is generally grown in the lowland and mid lands and major portion of
small holdings are adjacent area. The small holdings under rubber in Nepal are mainly
homestead planting. This will include buildings other crops etc. These homestead
plantations are lying adjacent to each other. But they may not have uniformity in age
and management.
Gorakhali Rubber Industry RUL is the only truck tire and tube manufacturing facility
80
in Nepal designed to produce 88,000 large size tyres a year under the technical
cooperation with the PRC. The major raw materials are rubber and various chemicals
to be imported from the international market. The major source of supply are
imported from China,Russia,Korea and India. It’s commercial production started in
1982. 90% of the raw materials are imported from India. It has the capacity to produce
1200 metric ton of rubber per year and it consumes 100 metric ton at a time.
.
The yield per hectare 1796 kilograms.
Raising more than one crops along with a particular plantation crop not only reduce the
gestation period but also ensure steady and higher farm income even in the period of
slump. Seasonal crops like vegetables in the formative years of the plantation crops
and permanent crops like orange, are canut, agar, tree beans, black pepper, gooseberry
etc. could be grown in the matured plantation to augment productivity and profitability.
Intercropping also stands as insurance against crop failure and price slump.
5
RESOURCES, PROCESSING, PRODUCTS, UTILIZATION
Rubberwood's properties, especially its light color and easy machining will continue to
make it a popular substitute for wood from increasingly scarce natural forest trees.
Modern heat/steam/vacuum systems have largely mitigated the problems associated
with the wood' latex content.
Environmental concerns in consumer markets will increasingly shift preferences to
wood products obtained from plantations. This will give rubberwood an advantage
over some of the more traditional tropical woods used in furniture and wood-based
panel manufacturing. Recent strides in rubberwood plantation certification confirm this
development. On the other hand, rubberwood has to be able to compete with
increasingly abundant softwood plantation species .
Rubber tree planting programs are effective and yields high economic returns
when it is accessible, and is supported by policy
Rubberwood supplies can
provide the investment security necessary for expanded rubberwood utilization.
Rubber plantations are owned or managed by two main groups of landowners:
Smallholders and small estate. Smallholders hold the majority of rubber plantation
areas only 12 % are managed by and owned by estate ownership . In terms of size,
smallholders' plots vary from 2.5 to 5 ha, while estates are generally 50 ha
81
6 OBSTACLES
COMPRISE:
TO
INCREASED
RUBBERWOOD
UTILIZATION
There are numerous barriers to increased rubber utilization. Among the most
important is Rubberwood's susceptibility to insect and fungal attacks that will
continue to make it economically unviable for the majority of rubber producers.
Increased accessibility will only come with general socio-economic development,
particularly in the transportation sector.
Trends in the ownership structure indicate that an increasing share of rubber will be
produced by smallholders. Their difficulties in profitably utilizing rubberwood will
likely bring about shortages where demand outstrips what estates can
supply· Localized supply shortages and associated price developments may end
rubberwood's comparative advantage over other wood species. Since rubberwood
comes in small sizes, it is suitable for the wood-based panel industry. Competition for
rubberwood between furniture and panel manufacturers may lead to further price hikes.
7
POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
While Rubber was introduced much earlier in neighboring countries which helped
them understand the needs and aspiration and significance of the rubber Industry and
facilitated the devise of the rubber friendly policies and programs
The genesis of Rubber in Nepal is relatively young and the potential for promotion is
very promising. Due to many factors rubber has not received the attention of the
Government
There is a lack of clear rubber specific policy to promotion of rubber. The Government
is committed to introduce conducive policy for the promotion of rubber.
Finance is the life blood of the Industry and Industrial Bank's financing to modernize
and enhance the productivity is in the policy agenda of the Government.
There is a need to adopt an integrated approach for rubber development. The approach
aimed at expansion of area under rubber and creation of processing and marketing
facilities . Since rubber is a relatively new crop in the region, strong extension support
is required by the farmers to help them adopt scientific agro-management practices.
Training to farmers, distributing inputs giving financial assistance for boundary
protection, establishing group processing centers, supplying rubber rollers, rubber
sheeting rollers free of cost, and other incentives. .
82
Status of Rubberwood Processing and Utilization in
the Philippines
Felix B. Tamolang
Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI),
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), College
Laguna 4031 Philippines E-mail: mt2data@hotmail.com
Abstract: This paper presents the current status of rubberwood as an alternative raw
material for traditional commercial timber species in the Philippines. It present
available rubberwood resources in terms of regional distribution and supply and their
potential commercial value. Processing and utilization technologies generated through
research and development conducted in the Forest Products Research and
Development Institute (FPRDI) and disseminated to local rubberwood processors and
manufacturers in the country is discussed.
An outlook on the advantage and
constraints including recommendations for its increased processing and utilization in
the Philippines are presented.
I. INTRODUCTION
Para rubber, botanically known as Hevea brasiliensis (HBK) Muell.-Arg., belongs to
the family Euphorbiaceae. The Aztecs of Mexico consider it, in their ceremonies, as
the mystical milk that flows from the weeping wood to appease their gods. Raw
rubber sap was treasured by many who believed that its elasticity holds the secret of
eternal youth.
The species is locally called rubber in the Philippines and no other name has been
attached to it. Para rubber, a relatively large tree, occasionally grows to a height of
over 30 m (100ft) and usually has a short and tapering stem. The bole is between 3 to
4 m (10 and 15ft) long with a diameters at breast height (dbh) between 46 and 91 cm
(1.5 and 3 ft). It is sometimes poorly formed, particularly near the tapping panels.
The leaves are three-lobed with long and narrow segments that taper at each end. The
flowers are pale green. Male and female flowers are separately thrown approximately
20 yards away. It is a source of latex. The latex tubes are found in the soft portion of
the bark next to the cambium. Located outside the soft bark is hard portion where a
comparatively few latex are present. The diameter of the latex tubes is about 0.0381
83
mm (0.0015 in. The average diameter of old rubber trees is 25-30cm with a clear
bole of up to 10m. Latex-yielding trees have an economic life of 25 to 30 years.
With the dwindling supply of timbers from the natural forests and the increasing
utilization of industrial tree plantation species (ITPS) which is about 88% (744,663
cu.m) of the country’s total log production, there is no doubt that rubberwood is a
timely substitute to support the wood based industries in the Philippines. Issues to
protect the environment coupled by strict requirement of consumer countries of
tropical timbers that raw materials for timber must be legally sourced from sustainably
managed forest have made ITPS like rubberwood an important timber resource
supporting the timber and wood-based industry in the Philippines.
II.
DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY
Para rubber is a native of the Amazon Region but is extensively cultivated in Sri Lanka,
Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. In the Philippines, it is cultivated in Mindanao,
mainly in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCSARGEN, ARMM, the provinces
of South Cotabato, Saranggani, Basilan and Cotabato, occasionally planted in other
islands. Rubber trees occupy about 111,845 hectares in the Philippines (Table 1).
Table 1. Rubber Plantation Areas and Number of Trees By Regionsin the
Philippines
Region
CALABARZON
MIMAROPA
Zamboanga Peninsula
Northern Mindanao
Davao Region
SOCSARGEN
ARMM
Caraga
Total Philippines
Area (has.)
227
50
43,028
4,527
6,245
31,128
21,194
5,446
111,845
No. of Trees
50,650
31,500
16,234,474
411,456
1,283,301
12,470,525
2,498,355
2,466,225
35,446,486
At present, there are about 40,000 hectares of more than 25 year-old rubber trees which
are considered over-aged in Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCSARGEN, CARAGA and
ARMM. in Mindanao. This means around 6.0 million cu m of logs ready for
processing if government policy in rubber utilization will be expanded focusing into
promotion in the utilization, and marketing of rubberwood products as alternative to
the country’s raw material base in support of the raw material needs of the wood-based
industries.
84
III. POTENTIAL VALUE OF AVAILABLE SUPPLY
The 6.0 million cu m of logs in standing trees if harvested, processed and exported as
kiln dried lumber has a potential value of US$ 361 M. This is based on a lumber
conversation rate of 30% and exported price of US$ 180/cu.m.
The potential value of the raw materials would be even higher if the lumber is further
processed and exported as finished products like furniture, builders, woodworks,
novelty items and other high value added products.
Sustained replanting at a rate of 4.0% every year will yield about 5,592 hectares of
rubber plantations available yearly. At an estimate 200 to 400 trees per hectare and
based on an estimated average yield of 150 cu m per hectare, the country has 668.910
cu m of logs ready for utilization annually.
IV. BASIC PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
•
COLOR, TEXTURE, GRAIN, ODOR
The wood is cream-colored and the sapwood is not easily distinguishable from the
heartwood. After a fresh cut it becomes light brown with pink tinge on exposure. It
is rather soft and possesses a characteristics sour smell.
The fibers are medium-sized, about 1.5 mm long with a diameter/width of about 0.022
mm. Cell wall is about 0.0028 mm thick.
The wood of the rubber tree is white to pale cream, sometimes with a pinkish tinge.
It becomes light straw to light brown when dried with sapwood not distinct from
heartwood.
The wood is moderately coarse to coarse and even textured. It is slightly lustrous.
This varies from straight to shallow interlocking. Rubberwood has a characteristic sour
smell.
•
PHYSICO‐MECHANICAL PROPERTIES These are comparable to chose of well-known Philippine hardwoods such as mayapis,
red and white lauan, tangile, almon, almaciga and acacia. At an air-dry density of
650 kg/cu m it has the following strength values:
85
Table 2. Physico-Mechanical Properties of Rubberwood
Properties (Green Condition)
•
Relative density (specific gravity)
•
Static bending
Fiber stress at proportional limit (MPa)
Modulus of rupture (MPa)
Modulus of elasticity (103 MPa)
•
Compression Parallel to grain
Fiber stress at proportional limit (MPa)
Maximum crushing strength
3
•
Values
0.56
23.50
46.30
6.52
10.40
18.60
Modulus of elasticity (10 MPa)
7.81
Compression perpendicular to grain (MPa)
4.48
Hardness
Side (kN)
End (kN)
3.52
3.29
•
Shear parallel to grain (MPa)
6.92
•
Toughness (J/specimen)
39.50
•
SHRINKAGE CHARACTERISTICS.
From green to 10% moisture content, rubberwood shrinks by 1.6% in the radial
direction and 4.0% in the tangential direction. Rubberwood is more stable than almon,
batikan, mayapis, tangile, red and white lauan.
•
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Rubberwood has the following chemical composition :
86
Table 3 Chemical Composition of Rubberwood
Chemical Composition
•
Holocellulose content
%
69.50
•
Lignin content
20.90
•
Pentosan Content
19.50
•
Alcohol-benzene content
2.90
•
Hot water (leached)
5.50
•
Hot (unleached)
6.60
•
Ash content
1.40
•
1% NaOH
29.90
V. TECHNOLOGICAL
RUBBERWOOD
•
AND
WORKING
PROPERTIES
OF
SAWMILLING CHARACTERISTICS AND PROCESSES
Rubberwood is easy to saw and does not cause significant blunting of the saw teeth.
A single saw blade my be used continuously for five hours without the need to
resharpen the saw teeth.
Rubberwood, however, has the tendency to warp immediately after sawing. Clogging
of the saw teeth with residual latex which requires cleaning from time to time by
dabbing the sawblade with diesel fuel.
Sawing can be done in :
•
•
Harvesting site using portable bandsaws or circular saws
At mill site using gang or frame saws or small hand-fed resaws with
pulley diameter of 910 mm or 1100 mm
87
Table 4. Production rate and recovery with the use of different types of saws
Type of Saw
Portable Bandsaw:
Portable Circular saw
Gang saw
Band saw
•
Production Rate
0.5 cu m/hour
0.5 cu/hour
3.4 cu m/hour
0.5-1.5 cu m/hr
Recovery (%)
32-46
30-40
62
46
MACHINING
Machine surface is smooth when cross-cut, rip-saw, planed and shaped. It is rough and
wooly when bored or turned because of its interlocking grain, presence of compression
wood and occasional knots. This is remedied by sanding.
•
GLUING
Rubberwood is compatible with poly-vinyl acetate (PVA), urea formaldehyde (UF)
and phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) glues.
Rubberwood is usually available in narrow boards and short lengths but because of its
good gluing characteristics, these can be made wider and longer through side glue
lamination and finger-jointing.
•
DURABILITY
Rubberwood is easily attacked by wood boring insects and staining fungi (blue stain
and mold) especially when newly harvested. It easily rots in humid climate. The
heartwood is perishable and stains readily. However, it can be treated with fungicides
and insecticides. Dipping or spraying with sodium pentachloropenate controls stain,
but impregnation of pH preservative is necessary if the timber is to be used
anywhere. . Para rubber has a field stake life of less that a year, as shown by the
“grave yard” tests conducted at FPRDI.
Warping, bowing, borer attack and stain are likely the be severe unless the timber is
88
dipped in chemical solution and then dried under cover with closely placed stickers
and the stack weight. End splits are likely to be troublesome. To minimize splitting,
the use of an end-coating chemical preparation is recommended
•
TREATABILITY
The wood of para rubber is very easy to treat. It can practically be completely
penetrated by a preservative using the full cell process of treating wood with the
following treating conditions:
Initial vacuum
Pressure period
Pressure
Temperature of preservative
Final vacuum 170 mm Hg for
710 mm Hg
2 hrs
12.60 kg/cm2
88 oC
30 minutes
Fungal discoloration could also be countered and the creamy white color of the wood
retained, if oven-dried and kept in sealed containers.
Treatment should be done :
• After felling, if it cannot be stored in log ponds or processed within three
days.
•
•
Immediately after sawing.
After processing prior to varnishing/painting of the finished products.
Treatment right after felling - For practical and economic reasons, logs are stored in
log ponds after harvesting to prevent fungal and insect attack if they cannot be
processed within 3 days. If this is not possible the cut ends and exposed areas due to
damaged bark should be brushed with 2.0% Captafol or 1.5 to 3.0% borax-boric acid
incorporated in Shell Kote 3. This treatment protects the logs for about 4 weeks.
Treatment after sawing or before seasoning.
After sawing new surface are exposed to fungal and insect attack. The sawn pieces
must be subjected to:
•
•
Prophylactic treatment before seasoning or;
Treatment with effective preservatives after sawing.
89
Procedure for prophylactic treatment before seasoning
•
Dip the freshly sawn boards, individually or in bundles in the preservative
solution for one minute.
•
Pile the treated lumber on properly spaced stickers under shade for
air-drying.
•
Kiln dry the treated lumber when the excess solution has dripped off.
What else is required when only prophylactic treatment before seasoning
is done
In prophylactic treatment, the preservative is deposited only on the surface of the
boards. This is removed during processing as in planning and sanding.
Brush-coat the finished product with pentachlorophenol for further protection. The
chemical may be incorporated in the base coat of the finishing material.
Treatment processes for lasting protection
1) Dip or spray freshly-sawn (high moisture content) lumber in a 25-40%
weight/volume solution of boron compound preservative such as borax-boric
acid, fortified with a suitable fungicide such as TCMTB (1:50) or
propiconazole (1:50) or carbendaziem + prochloraz (1:50) and insecticide
such as deltamethrin (1:100).
2) Solid-pile the lumber in an air-tight chamber or cover them with plastic sheets
to allow the preservative to diffuse into the wood. The diffusion period to
attain deep penetration of preservative and 0.2% boric acid equivalent (BAE)
retention for permanent protection takes 10 days to 4 weeks depending upon
the thickness of the lumber
Procedure for Vacuum Pressure (Bethel or Full-cell) Process
The process involves the impregnation of the preservative solution into the wood by
hydraulic pressure in a pressure cylinder.
90
•
Subject the wood to an initial vacuum of about 600-700 mm Hg for 45
minutes.
•
Flood the cylinder with the chemical solution and apply a hydraulic pressure
of up to about 1400 KPa until the required absorption of the preservative is
attained.
Preservatives for vacuum-pressure method
•
•
Boron compounds
Synthetic pyrethroids in emulsifiable concentrates such as permethrin, and
cyper-methrin.
Points to consider in boron compound treatment
A dry salt retention of 16 kg/cu m can be attained in freshly sawn lumber. No
preliminary drying is required. Fungicides should be incorporated because boron
compounds are only effective against boring insects.
Hot and cold bath process
Treatment is done in a steel tank with steam coils at the bottom, or the preservative
(borax-boric acid solution) is pumped from the tank through a wood or oil-fired boiler,
and back into the tank, the boiler acting as a heat exchanger. A nominal 3.0%
borax-boric acid solution is used.
Advantage of the hot and cold bath process
Timber can be treated at varying moisture contents. If green, sufficient borax-boric
acid is retained at the surface of the timber to diffuse into the core or center of the sawn
timber.
If partly dry, thermal expansion and increase in vapour pressure that occur on the
heating empty the spaces. On cooling, there is reduced internal pressure which
results in replacement of the excluded air and water vapour by borax-boric acid
solution. Only one charge of timber can be treated in 24 hours
91
•
SEASONING OF RUBBERWOOD
Drying characteristics
Rubberwood is moderately easy to dry but it is susceptible to some drying defects like
bowing, twisting and spring. The presence of pith in the boards also causes and
splitting
Air drying rubberwood
The length of air-drying depends upon prevailing weather conditions.
The following ranges apply in drying green or 60% MC to 17% MC:
25 mm boards
55-60 days
50 mm boards
68-85 days
Kiln drying rubberwood
From green to 10% MC
25 mm boards
6 days
50 mm boards
10 days
The kiln drying schedules for rubberwood established in the Philippines by FPRDI are
given in tables 5 and 6.
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Table 5.
FPRDI Kiln Schedule for 25 mm thick lumber
Moisture Content
Change
%
Dry Bulb
Temp.
(oC)
Wet bulb
Temp.
(oC)
Approximate
Rel. Humidity
%
Initial - 40
60.0
56.0
82.0
40 - 30
66.0
59.0
72.0
30 - 20
71.0
60.0
60.0
20 - 15
77.0
58.0
53.0
15 - final
82.0
54
26.0
Table 6. FPRDI Kiln Schedule for 50 mm thick lumber
Moisture Content
Change
%
Initial - 40
Dry Bulb
Temp.
(oC)
54.0
Wet bulb
Temp.
(oC)
51.0
Approximate
Rel. Humidity
%
83.0
40 - 30
54.0
49.0
73.0
30 - 20
60.0
52.0
64.0
20 - 15
71.0
54.0
43.0
15 - final
82.0
54.0
26.0
Ways to prevent excessive degrades in rubberwood during seasoning
• Make sure that the stickers are of uniform thickness and evenly spaced at 45
cm.
•
Put weights on top of the load at 250 kg/sq m.
How to arrest fungal and insect attack in seasoning
Pre-steam the load before kiln drying at 70 C – 100 C and 100% RH for 2-4 hours
depending on board thickness to kill mold, staining organisms and insects.
93
VI. UTILIZATION OF RUBBERWOOD
Uses
Furniture
Suitable Characteristics and Properties
Pale creamy color
Attractive figure
Good machining and woodworking properties
Excellent finishing characteristics
Builders
Woodw
orks
Good woodworking properties
Attractive grain particularly on tangential face
Good finishing characteristics
Pulp
Paper
and
Composite
board
products
from
rubberwood
Moderate hardness which makes it suitable for
parquet, strip flooring and stair steps
Chemi-thermo-mechanical process with alkaline
sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) pre-treatment which
produces rubberwood pulp of comparable
properties as those of thermo-mechanical pulps
produced from softwoods.
The pretreatment also reduces the latex content of
the wood which is represented by alcohol-benzene
extractives
Particleboard
Wood flakes from off-cuts, trims, slabs, small
diameter logs, branches and tops.
Products
Folding chairs, working chairs,
dinning sets, folding tables,
garden sets, television cabinets,
bar stools, coffee tables and
others
Moulding, balusters, dowels,
door and window components,
railings,
kitchen
cabinets,
panellings, dividers, parquet
flooring
For the production of writing
and printing paper, corrugating
medium and as a component of
newsprint.
Particleboard
• Laminated with overlay,
used for desks, tables,
cabinets and room dividers
Blockboard
Household
and novelty
items
94
Narrow strips of lumber composed into wide
boards by side gluing and then overlaid with
decorative veneer.
• Moulded; used in the
production of table tops,
ceiling panels and moulded
chair seats and back rests
Woodwool Cement Boards
Blockboards
Wood flakes or excelsior mixed with cement and
mineralizing chemicals and pressed into wide
panels of different thickness.
Wood cement boards
It has a wide range of exterior and interior
application in the construction industry
Medium
(MDF)
Plywood
density
fiberboard
Newspaper
and
magazine
racks,
bookshelves,
chest,
carving and chess boards, fruit
and salad bowls, jewelry boxes,
ash trays, knife blocks, serving
trays, spice racks, toys, tea
trolleys etc.
VII. CONSTRAINTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF RUBBERWOOD
Rubberwood has gained popularity and acceptance in the world market as sawn lumber
and as furniture and other high value products. This is borne particularly by the
Malaysian experience. Rubberwood has inherent characteristics which can pose a
problem in its utilization. Research has been addressing these and has come up with
acceptable solutions. However, there are still factors that limit rubberwood utilization,
namely :
•
It is inherently very susceptible to the attack of staining fungi and insect
borers because of its high starch and sugar content. Although solutions to
these problems and preventive measures have been identified, the cost of
chemicals and putting up treating facilities is a deterring factor in its
utilization.
•
It is prone to seasoning defects i.e. bowing, twisting, spring which can
however be minimized or prevented through proper handling, stacking and
drying.
•
Logs are only available in short lengths and small diameter. In furniture
manufacture, however, this is not a limitation because it does not normally
require long and wide boards. If it does, the boards can be side glued and
finger jointed.
•
Existing government policy and program in the Philippines which is limited
to promotion and production of natural rubber /latex. There is no clearcut
policy supporting the processing and utilization of rubberwood . .
VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
•
There is an available volume of rubberwood supply which is relatively
sufficient and be made sustainable as long as the government promotes and
encourages the planting of rubber trees for latex production and promote and
encourage its further processing and marketing as additional socio-economic
incentive among rubber growers and wood-based manufacturers.
95
96
•
The wood has excellent physical and technological properties making it
suitable for the manufacture of a variety of quality finished products and
competitive to other wood products in both the local and export markets .
•
The technology for processing rubberwood is available in the country and
ready for technology transfer to interested end-users. Successful experiences
by other countries like Malaysia, Thailand, China and Indonesia can be
readily adopted in the Philippines where processing facilities and skilled
manpower are available.
•
To ensure a sustainable supply of rubberwood in the Philippines,
loans at low interest rates and attractive investment incentives need to be
offered by the government to encourage the establishment of rubberwood
processing facilities especially in rubberwood growing regions.
•
Implement a strict quality control system. This can be done by requiring
manufacturers, processor and suppliers of rubberwood to register and secure
license from an appropriate government agency but only after they have
established basic minimum facilities for kiln drying and preservative
treatment. Furthermore, no rubber product should be exported unless
certified that it has been processed according to a prescribed set of kiln
drying and preservative treatment standards.
•
These requirements are necessary to ensure that the program promoting the
utilization and marketing of rubberwood in the Philippines is not hampered.
Short cuts in preservative treatment and seasoning will adversely affected
product quality which will have detrimental consequences to this program
•
Enactment into Law the “Creation of the Philippine Rubber Research
Institute (PRRI)” whose functions shall be (a) Propagate and promote the
planting, maintenance, as well as wise utilization of rubber trees as source of
latex and finished rubber products; (b) Enable rubber producers and
processors, especially small-holders, to have access to quality rubber tree
seedlings, modern production techniques, and other support services from
production to marketing of rubber produce; (c) Undertake training and
capacity-building programs for rubber producers, processors, and
cooperatives in order to increase production of quality rubber and raise level
of income especially of poor small-holders; (d)Aid in the establishment of
village-based rubber enterprises to generate livelihood opportunities and
improve general well-being of the large percentage of workforce in
agricultural communities; (e) Promote cooperative development among
small-holders and provide
them access to resources, technological
know-how, as well as decision-making processes for the enhancement of
their rubber enterprises and the protection of their welfare;
REFERENCES
1. Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2008. Department of Agriculture. 1184
Ben-lor Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Crops Statistics
Division371-2067. http:/www.bas.gov.ph
2. FPRDI. 1986. Philippine Timber Series. Para Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis
Muell.-Arg). FPRDI, College, Laguna 4031.
3. Bello. E.D. 1998. Rubberwood processing and utilization. FPRDI, College,
Laguna 4031
4. Lapitan, F.G., Alcachupas, P.L. and Quiñones, D.G. 1983. A lumber
recovery study of para rubber. Unpublished). FPRDI, College, Laguna.
5. Lew, W.H. and Sim, H.C. 1982. Rubber wood:
utilization. Malaysian Forester, 43(3).
Present and past
6. Rocafort, J.D. 1983. Relative density and shrinkage values of five trees
of para rubber with statistics defining their variability.
(Unpublished).
FPRDI, College, Laguna.
7. Tamayo, Jr. ,G.Y. 1983.
FPRDI, College, Laguna.
The seasoning of para rubber.
(Unpublished).
8. Tamolang, F.B. and J.E. Rocafort. 1987. Physico-mechanical properties and
possible uses of 11 plantation grown timber species in the Philippines.
FPRDI Journal 16 (1-3). pp. 75-85.
9. Tamolang, F.B., E.B. Espiloy, Jr. and A.R. Floresca. 1990. Ninth progress
report on the strength and related properties of Philippine woods. The
Philippine Lumberman. 36 (1). pp. 29-37.
97
10. Tamolang, F.B., Espiloy, E.B. Jr., and A.R. Floresca. July 1995. Strength
Grouping of Philippine Timbers for Various Uses. FPRDI Trade Bulletin
Series No. 4 (ISSN 0117-4045).
11. Alipon, M.A., Floresca, A.R. and Tamolang, F.B. 2000. Shrinkage
Characteristics of Philippine Lumber for Uses Requiring Dimensional
Stability. FPRDI Trade Bulletin Series No. 6 (ISSN 0117-4045)
12. Moredo, F.C. and F.B. Tamolang. 1993. Report on the Status, Problems and
Appropriate Program of Assistance on Rubberwood Utilization for the Cebu
Furniture Sector in Cebu, Philippines. ASEAN Timber Technology Centre
(ATTC)-FPRDI Industry Advisory and Consultancy Services (IACS) Mission
Report. ATTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (ATTC Study Mission Report)
98
The Utilization of Rubber Wood in Thailand
Sunthorn Watcharakuldilok
Songsak Vitayaudom
Royal Forest Department,
61 Phaholyothin Rd., Chatuchak，
Bangkok 10900, Thailand E-mail:sunthorn35@hotmail.com
Royal Forest Department,
61 Phaholyothin Rd., Chatuchak，
Bangkok 10900, Thailand E-mail:vitayaudom@hotmail.com
1 INTRODUCTION
Thailand occupies a central position in mainland Southeast Asia between latitudes 5o
37’ N and 20o 27’ N and latitudes 97o 22’ E and 105o 37’ E. It covers an area of
518,000 km2. The country is bounded to the west by Myanmar, to the north by
Myanmar and Lao P.D.R., to the east by Lao P.D.R and Cambodia, and to the south by
Malaysia, Physiographically, the country can be divided into six regions: the
mountainous highlands in the north and northwest, the Khorat plateau in the northeast,
the Tenasserim range to the west, the central plain, the southeast and the southern
peninsula, which lies between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The upper
part of the country, the north and northwest, in dominated by uplands and is the source
of the four main tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. This river flows southwards
through the central plains down to the Gulf of Thailand, into the extensive Chao
phraya Delta. The Khorat Plateau of the northeast drains eastward into the famous
Mekong River. To the west the mountainous chain of the Tenasserim range remains
well-forested.
Thailand’s forestry sector has developed in fairly clearly-defined stages and has
recently entered as follows:
1.1Forest sector enrollment
Forest Exploitation Closing Phase (the dawning of a new forestry era.). Starting from
the late 1980 that can be characterized by the people’s highly developed awareness of
the adverse effects of forest exploitation and by the search of a new forestry agenda.
The forest had declined to a point where the nation had to decide that what remains of
it must be kept for conservation rather than for further forest exploitation. The
timbers were much more importation from abroad than in the past and the domestic
timber production also has a few volume. The promotion on private sector on forest
plantation has been created in National Economic and Social development plan since
99
1987. The promotion on community forest management has been much more
realizing to promote on people participation in Nation Forest Management than before.
1.2 Public and Private Engagement
The Royal forest Department has managed virtually all the forestry activities in
national forests single-handedly, particularly forest harvesting, forest nature
conservation, watershed management forest, forest protection and forest plantations,
among others. And the state enterprise, Forest Industry Organization were all
involved in forest harvesting and forest plantation, which caused of conflicts on
interesting between the different state organizations. Furthermore, the unstable of
politics and policies on regulation, long-term investment duration, forest encroachment
by poverty people stricken rural community, strong anti forest plantation pressure from
environmental Non-Government Organization and not good administrative of the
government organization. Early 1990 century, has the role of the private sector
forestry activities been recognized. However, the logging ban which was operated by
FIO and the Provincial Forest Company Ltd., imposed in 1989 marked a major shift in
policy from wood production to forest conservation.
Forest zoning has been directed by the good to have a total of at least 40% of the
country under forest cover and of least 25% under conservation forests. These good
were set by the 1989 National Forest Policy. However the most recent policy on
forest production and forest conservation was stated in the Seventh National Economic
and Social Development Plan (1992-1997); in which 40 percent of the country area
shall be maintained as forest. (15 percents out of 40 percents forest shall be
designated as production forest, producing timber and other forest products.). In the
Agricultural Development Plan, a component in the Ninth National Economic and
Social Development plan (2002-2006), a goal is to conserve and rehabilitate 30 per
cent of the total area of the country. These land are conserving biodiversity area such
as national park, wildlife sanctuary and protecting watersheds area. The plan intends
to promote the productive forest plantations, private plantation and community forestry
covering 32 million rai.. Furthermore, a target area of 1.25 million rai of mangrove
forest to be conserved or rehabilitated has been set in the plan.
To solve the forest degradation, the people’s participation are importance in forest
management therefore local communities and villagers must now be given the chance
to become forest managers, more especially as about 12 million people occupying the
national reserve forest. The role of the private sector, and communities in particular,
is highlighted in the New Constitution, promulgated on October 11, 1997. This
foundation law promotes and safeguards the people’s rights and freedom, increases the
100
people’s participating in administration and checking the state power action by
awareness the important of the population thinking. To make these ideals operate at
the grassroots level, the forestry laws are being revised, one by one.
2. PROCESSING, UTILIZATION & PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT
2.1 Primary processing
In Thailand the small log from plantation being used, has diameter of 4-10 in. on the
other hand but log with 8 ins. of diameter is appropriate for sawing. The wood will be
cut into short lumber of 1.5-2.0 m. length (small log, diameter 6-9 ins., recovery rate
25-35 %, which bow and split lumber, wood working remain yield 20-25 % of log)
That above dimension of wood is appropriate for some wood products. If big size is
required, small lumber should be jointed to bigger the length, thickness, and width
dimension. However lumbering of small log less than 5-7 ins. of diameter is possible,
but providing a little yield because of a lot of headsaw and lapwood.
To decrease wood failure of small log from growth stress, split and twist, girdling
stand tree (to hew a tree around the trunk only to make it dry out) is employed or using
chemical spray its leaves for stunting tree. These many techniques to prevent wood
failure such as drying wood is a concept to decrease moisture content, for decreasing
stress of wood, decreasing split after cutting with tighten by string, flintcoat or
printcoat treatment at the end of log, soaking wood in water, cross section at the end of
log stamped by S or C iron,
The technique of sawing for small log with balance cutting, sawing right and left
distance equal from pith together by twin band saw to release the stress of log equal
opposite side can make lumber be straight, no twist. Saw types are balance saw, gang
saw, or sash gang saw. (Wisuttitappakul, 1999)
There are many techniques to prevent twist or end split, this technique is used during
sawing process by not sawing through the trunk, allowing unleave at the end. Then
fasten it with a piece of wire or drive a nail at the end of log. Unfasten it if to be used.
Immediately soaking after lumbering 1-2 days, then seasoning can also make a lumber
straight, no twist, and no the end split. Another technique is sawing log into the large
size lumber, then sawing again into small size or required size if needed.
Piling is important for quality control of lumber for no twist, no bow, and no end split.
Piling is done by pressing the top of pile by weight. To adjust bow lumber both of the
end of lumber will be supported, then using gravity force pulls it forwards to make a
101
straight lumber.
2.1.1 Wood preservation
Usually, fast growing species or small log are damaged by fungus, insects and
shipworms. Therefore, it can be used only short period about 1-2 years. Wood
preservation can save wood for long period 3-5 times to normal. Technology of wood
preservation in Thailand can be divided into 2 types as followings :
2.1.1.1 Non chemical treatment
Techniques employed are as follows: soaking in water, singe, and using wood in open
air, employ concrete bed to support poling of house. Moreover, there is a study on
termite prevention by embeding gravel at bottom holes before poling.
2.1.1.2 Chemical treatment
2.1.1.2.1 Non-pressure treatment
1) Brush or spray treatment
For wood drying, pole and round wood should be debarked before brushing or
spraying chemical substances. Treat all of the trunk or specific at ground level area
(below 30-40 cm. and upper 60-70 cm.). Should brush or spray for chemical treatment
more than 1 time. Chemical treatment should use oil or water borne preservation for
example tar oil, solexnum and other wood oil coat because of permanent into wood.
2) Dipping
Dry wood is more preferable than green wood. 2-3 min. for dipping and then printcoat
or lacquer replace again. This method is appropriate for non-permanent or interior
wood working.
2.1.1.2.2 Vacuum and pressure treatment
This method use vacuum machine and pressure to put chemical solution into lumber.
Normally, this method is for dry lumber, but Rubber wood lumber must be green
because of easily damage by fungus and insects. First step of the process is using a
vacuum at 500 mm.Hg., 15 min., then increase the pressure and inject chemical
solution into lumber at 150-170 lb./sq.in., 45-55 min. (full cell treatment of Rubber
wood 1.5 ins. thickness). The favour chemical solution is water borne preservative
because it’s cheaper than others e.g. CCA for wood used exterior, spool of electric or
telephone wire, and Boron for wood furniture.
2.1.2 Drying
102
2.1.2.1 Seasoning or air drying
Moisture content of wood after seasoning is varied. To reduce moisture content to be
less than 25 % need a long period. Logs from this method are used for construction e.g.
pole, post, and piling of log before wood chipping.
For small log, more than 6 ins., diameter, seasoning in dry season take time 4-6 months
for decrease moisture content into 25-30 %. Wood diameter more than 30 cm. should
be lumbering before seasoning. Size of pile should be not more than 2 m. width
because of lumber at central of pile will be delay dried and damaged by fungus or
insects. Piling is not limit of high depend on stability of pile. Space each pile should be
not lesser than 30 cm. for air circulated and convenient to transfer or piling.
Pile should be high from ground more than 30 cm. Size of stick for lumber pile is
usually used 1 x 1 ins. or 1 x ½ ins. Easily drying and less defect wood species e.g.
Teak and SaDuaTium (Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs) should be used 1½ x 1½ ins.
of stick, and each piece of stick at the same vertical position line. In rain season should
be piling under construction or roofing for prevented fungus damage, emphasize
Rubberwood and Coniferous sp.
2.1.2.2 Kiln drying
Kiln drying can be control temperature and relative humidity for dried wood and
rapidity more than seasoning 10-30 times.
Lumber should be control drying at surface, not rapidity dried. Suitable temperature
and relative humidity can be control with kiln drying. If moisture content in wood and
surface of wood are difference more than 5 %, wood stress due to wood failure, e.g.
bow, case hardening, and honeycombing. But some wood failure occurred from natural
property of wood, e.g. grain and age, that fast growing species such as Eucalyptus and
SaDuaTium, due to stress in wood, emphasize high growth stress of young tree. That is
easily the end split. Therefore, the end of lumber should be printcoat for decreased
evaporate moisture from wood. In addition to, piling should be used stick at the end of
lumber and pressed on the top by weight.
2.2 Secondary processing
2.2.1 Furniture part
Sawntimber from plantation is limited to used widely , furniture parts are most
suitable to utilize because of its dimension and stress which occurred during their
growth and drying process.
2.2.2 Wood – based panels manufacturing
103
The most suitable products from small log that harvested from plantation are as follow.
2.2.2.1 Wood chip
2.2.2.2 Fiberboard
2.2.2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing.
2.2.2.4 Charcoal production
Charcoal in Thailand produced for household by local people. It’s produced with soil or
rice husk mound and mud beehive. Commercial charcoal produced usually with brick
beehive. Now, lapwood of Eucalyptus from plantation widespread produced charcoal
and briquett for export. In addition to, activated carbon produced from charcoal for
industry.
The need of development of further processing technology
1. Proper machinery for small log
2. Small log Utilization Technology
3. Improvement of wood quality and properties.
3. MARKETS FOR PLANTATION TIMBER PRODUCTS
3.1 Previews
The Royal Thai Government has limited potential to undertake the difficult task of
improving forest management and simultaneously conducting reforestation activities. The
private sector has demonstrated commercial fast growing tree plantation. Factors that
need to be taken into consideration in preparing a reforestation program involving the
private sector and small holders include the following:
3.1.1 Legislation laws
The problem relevant laws and policies relating to forest plantations which do not
support the forest plantation development are :
a) The Re-Afforestation and concerning regulation are difficult to practice and they are
not cover all of kind of tree species.
b) The establishing of the wood industry and distributing wood product, which are
from forest plantation, of the wood industry must practice under the Forestry Law 1941.
Including, there are restriction on the establishment of mills in all provinces ( aside
from 10 central provinces).
c) Renting the degradation National Reserve Forest Land for forest plantation has
much criteria and limit within 50 rai.
104
d) Some timber species are not able to able to export.
3.1.2 Investment in Forest Plantations.
A problem regarding the investment in forest plantations by rural farmers is that they
have insufficient funds available for investing in long-term activities. The money
required to support forest plantations from the Royal Forest Department – is limited.
As a result, many farms are modest in area, and tend to be less profitable.
Propose solutions include providing sufficient funds from the Government budget to
encourage investment by farmers in forest plantation either as direct financial
incentives or as soft loans. Agroforestry systems should also be encouraged. Funds
should also be provided to encourage the establishment of more sawmills.
Those 2 factors that might effect sawlog as the raw materials to the industries direct
and indirect ways. Until the raw materials from plantations are sustainable, wood
market will become more active and achieved the wood market profitably.
3.2 Wood marketing
The problems related to wood market include an absence of local and central markets;
a lack of controls on bargaining prices by farmers when selling their products; a lack of
small wood processing technology; a lack of good deside and development; and a poor
understanding of sustainable forest management.
Propose solutions include promoting wood marketing through the establishment of
local and central markets; promoting to sell the wood such as manage on wood
marketing database, setting the future market; and setting the marketing fund;
providing funds to encourage research and develop wood product deside; establishing
an organization to certify sustainable forest management in forest plantations and
certify the wood products.
4. OVERVIEW AND CONCLUSIONS
Thailand covers a land area of 51,311,502 hectares with a population of approximately
million. Forest areas are about 12,972,200 hectares of 25.28 % which are conserved for
environmental balance. However, forest degradation and deforestation still occur in
some part of the country due to poverty, low agricultural productivity and skewed land
distribution. RFD has launched many projects to increase forest lands to 40% of the
whole country such as reforestation project, community forest project etc. As the
government is trying to increase the forest area, the need to use timber, wood and
forest products still remain.
105
Constaints caused by the Private Sector, Particularly Farmers
A majority of rural farmers lack in-depth knowledge on forest plantations, including
financial analysis of forest plantation investment, forest plantation management, the
legislation concerned with forest plantation, and working and methodologies to
co-operate together. In number of farming areas which are insufficient in size to
accommodate forest plantations.
To solve these constraints, training modules must be initiated to increase farmers’
knowledge about all aspects of forest plantations, namely financial analysis on forest
plantation investment, forest plantation management, the legislation concerning with
forest product designs and the concept of cooperatives. Strengthening of the agencies
involved in extension, timber marketing promotion and wood utilization should be
undertaken. The farmers should be encouraged to become more organized, among
themselves, nominating representatives to liaise with government officials. Extension
training among farmers themselves should be promoted. Agroforestry systems and
cooperative businesses in forest plantation should be actively encouraged, particularly
in areas were farms are small. The establishment of transfer technology centers at the
provincial/ district level should be undertaken.
Productivity in the wood industry sector showed a marked decline in the years
following the logging ban. Regarding productivity in the wood industry, there has been
rapid growth in the value of rubber wood, which has generated into an industry in its
own right. An estimated 5 million m3 of rubber wood were produced in 2001. Besides
rubber, very modest volumes of teak are produced annually, predominately provided
by FIO; in 2001, 47,242 m3 were produced.
Rubber wood is cutting from plantation for 5 million cu.m / year. This wood is used for
furniture and wood based panels industries. Eucalyptus plantation, approximately
480,000 hectares are the major source for pulp and paper industries. Teak plantations
promoted 10 years ago to private lands have reached an amount of 96,000 hectares and
provided wood for furniture and flooring industries. The trend of using Teak from
plantation is also increasing.
For wood industry, concerned factories should have their own plantation for wood
supply. There are two groups private companies who own their plantations. They
promote farmers to be their member to plant fast growing species to supply the
factories, especially Eucalyptus for pulp and paper. The government also promotion
the farmers to establish forest plantation cooperatives in provincial level.
106
Machining and Coating Properties of Plantation
Rubberwood in China
Zhao Youke
Jiang Xiaomei
Lu Jianxiong
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, P. O. Box 18,
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail:youke.zhao@caf.ac.cn
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, P. O. Box 18,
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail: xiaomei@caf.ac.cn
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, P. O. Box 18，
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail:jianxiong@caf.ac.cn
Abstact: In order to fully utilize the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) as a solid wood
product, the machining (including planing, sanding, boring and shaping) & coating
properties (adhesion and wearability of coating), have been tested on the specimens
from 27 rubberwood trees grown in Hainan, China according to ASTM DF1666,
D3359-93 & GB/T17657-1999 method. The results showed that the machining and
painting properties of rubberwood are all excellent and within the Grade I range, which
is better than that of furniture common used species such as oak, walnut and birch.
Therefore, from the aspect of machining & coating properties, the rubberwood is good
for solid wood products such as furniture and flooring.
Keywords: rubberwood, machining properties, coating properties
From the word rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), it can be seen that the important
productions of rubberwood are rubber and wood. General speaking, the rubberwood
tree has a 25-to-30-year-long period of latex production, and after that it is no longer
economic to produce latex but its trunk can be utilized as wood for economic purpose.
Nowadays in China, the rubberwood trees are planted in Hainan, Yunnan Guangdong,
Guangxi, Guizhou and Taiwan. In which, the south part of Hainan and Xishuang
Banna in Yunnan are 2 of the most suitable places for growing rubberwood and
therefore have the biggest planting areas. Statistic shows the annual production of
rubberwood in China is around 1 million m3, which is an important part in wood
supply.
As we all know, rubberwood is very susceptible to fungi and insects due to high
107
content of carbohydrates in parenchyma cells, the preservation of the rubberwood has
attracted a lot of attentions, and so far, rubberwood could be well preserved. This
provides a basic need for the utilization of rubberwood for solid wood products. In this
situation, the utilization of rubberwood for more value-added products such as
furniture and flooring drives people to systematically study the properties of
rubberwood, including the mechanical properties, coating properties and machining
properties. This paper evaluates such machining & coating properties.
1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
1.1 Materials and methods
Totally 27 rubberwood central lumbers with 2 meters in length, 45 mm in thickness
and 35 years in age from 27 rubberwood trees grown in Hainan have been selected for
machining & coating properties assessment after drying in Hainan Nongken timber Co.
The properties of 4 common wood-working operations used in the manufacture of
wood products such as planing, sanding, boring and shaping are assessed respectively
using ASTM D1666 method[2002] which divides the quality into 5 grades according
to the degree of defects and the impact of defects on the following machining process:
Grade I:
Grade II:
Excellent (no defects)
Good (light defects which can be eliminated by light sanding)
Grade III:
Fair (some obvious defects which can be eliminated by sanding)
Grade IV:
Poor (deep and big defects which is hard to eliminate)
Grade V:
Very poor (prohibited to use)
For each grade, the related point is given, namely 5 points for Grade I, 4 points for
Grade II, 3 points for Grade III, 2 points for Grade IV, 1 point for Grade V. The
planing, sanding, boring and shaping assessment is based on the points which equals to
the sum of the proportion of each grade multiplied by related points of each grade.
According to the calculated points, the related grade is estimated (excellent (4-5
points), good (3-4 points), fair (2-3 points), poor (1-2 points), and very poor (<1point)).
The specimen size and the amount of testing specimens are listed in Table 1.
The adhesion of coating is tested according to ASTMD3359-02[2002], in which, a
cross-cut is made through the coating film by a multi-edges cutter to the substrate,
pressure-sensitive tape is applied over the cut and then removed, and adhesion is
108
assessed qualitatively on the 5 grades as described in Table 2 The wearability of
coating is tested according to Chinese National Standard GB/T17657-1999. In this test,
a Taber wearability testing machine is used and the wearability was accessed based on
the weight loss per 100 rotates. The weight loss ≦0.08 g is accessed as Grade I, >0.08
g and ≦0.1 g as Grade II, >0.1 and ≦0.15 g as Grade I, and >0.15 g as Grade IV (not
qualified). Like the assessment on machining properties, the similar point is given for
different grade, and same method is adopted for the calculation of the quality points.
Table 1 specimen size and amount for testing machining properties
Manchining items
thickness×width×length（mm） Specimen amount（pieces）
Planing
19×102×910
27
Sanding
11×110×400
27
Boring
19×76×510
27
Shaping
19×76×510
27
Table 2 Classification of adhesion results
Grade
I
ASTM
Classification
5B
4B
II
3B
III
2B
IV
1B
V
0B
Description
The edges of the cuts are completely smooth; none of the
squares of the lattice is detached.
Small flakes of the coating are detached at intersections; less
than 5 % of the area is affected.
Small flakes of the coating are detached along edges and at
intersections
The coating has flaked along the edges and on parts of the
squares.The area affected is 15 to 35 % of the lattice.
The coating has flaked along the edges of cuts in large
ribbons and whole squares have detached. The area affected
is 35 to 65 % of the lattice.
Flaking and detachment worse than Grade 1.
In this test, 3 coating processes were adopted. The first process is to brush the
water-soluble coatings 3 times, the second one is to brush polyester coatings 3 times,
and the third one is to brush the water-soluble coatings twice and then to brush
polyester coatings once for the outer coating.
1.2 Equipment and parameter
Planing: KUW-500F1 automatic feeded 2 faces planner. According to ASTM, just one
face is planned each time, only the top spindle is used. In the test, keep the knife
parameters stable, the front cutting angle is 20°,the knife wedge angle is 39°,
109
planing thickness includes 1.6mm and 0.8mm, the knife marks per inch is 48.
according to the equation: Feed speed=(Number Knives×RPM)/( KMPI×12×25.4),
the feed rate is 7.94m/min.
Sanding: WS-65 wide belt sander, the automatic feed rate is 5.8m/min, the sanding
thickness is 0.3mm. Sand twice with 120 grid sand papers.
Boring: B13S bench borer, the spindle rotation rate is 3600r/min, boring bit diameter
20mm, drill perpendicular to the surface of species, feed rate keeps slow and even,
during the process, a same species board is close contact under the specimen to reduce
the possibility to occur the defects.
Shaping: MX7320 straight shaper, the rotation rate is 8000r/min. specimens were
bandsawn to pattern before conducting on the shaper. .Each specimen is shaped in up
milling way.
2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
2.1 Machining properties
2.1.1 Planing
Planing is one of the most common and also the most important operation for wood
products. The defects caused by planing will have a negative influence on the latter
operations in the wood-working manufacture.
With the stable feed rate, the points for 0.8mm (4.82) is higher than that of 1.6mm
(4.52) (Table 3), and both of them are in range of Grade I (excellent).The surface of
planing existed only a few of fuzzy grain (Fig. 1).
Table 3 Planing results of different planing thickness
Planing
thickness
Grade
I Grade
II Grade
III
Quality points
proportion（%） proportion（%） proportion （%）
1.6mm
p
40.74
3.70
4.52
0.8mm
81.48
18.52
0.00
4.82
110
Fig. 1 Planing surface: Left - Grade I specimen; Right -Grade II specimen with
fuzzy grain
2.1.2 Sanding
Sanding is essential for a good coating. A good surface roughness resulted from good
sanding is readily to be well painted, while sanding defects will influence the finishing
of wood products. The surface roughness has relations with not only wood but also the
types of sand paper.
Results showed, the proportion for Grade I (excellent) and Grade II (good) specimens
is 59.26% and 40.74% respectively , the quality point 4.59, which is within the Grade I
range (Table 4). The main defect is fuzzy grain. The difference between Grade I and
Grade II is not distinct (Fig. 2).
Table 4 Different Grades and quality grade of sanding, boring, and shaping
Items
Grade I proportion（%） Grade II proportion （%）
Quality points
Sanding
59.26
4.59
40.74
Fig. 2 Sanding surface: Left - Grade I specimen; Right -Grade II specimen
with slight fuzzy grain
2.1.3 Boring performance
Boring is a common operation for the wood structure joint. The bored hole should be
round without any noticeable distortion and the inner surface should be smooth for
111
good glue bonding.
As shown in Fig. 3, Grade I and Grade II of boring is similar to that of sanding, the
quality Grade value is also 4.59, showing an excellent boring property (Table 5).
Fig. 3 The torn grain and light fuzzy grain could be hardly see showing an
excellent boring properties
Table 5 different Grades and quality Grade of sanding, boring, and shaping
Items
Grade I proportion（%） Grade II proportion （%） Quality points
Boring
59.26
40.74
4.59
2.1.4 Shaping
Shaping is the most common method in furniture manufacture. By means of which, the
value of the products could be increased in a large extent.
In this test, the specimens is the same as that in sanding test, in order to shape on the 2
ends of one specimen, the length is 510mm, which is longer than that in ASTM. As
seen from table 6, the proportion for Grade I and Grade II is 66.67% and 33.33%
respectively, the quality points is 4.67, suggesting an excellent property in shaping.
From Fig. 4, it can be seen that most specimens are defects free, a few with fuzzy grain
and burned surface.
Fig. 4 Most of specimens are defect free, a few with fuzzy grain and burned
surface
112
Table 6 different Grades and quality Grade of sanding, boring, and shaping
Items
Grade I proportion（%） Grade II proportion （%） Quality points
Shaping
66.67
33.33
4.67
From Fig 5, it could be concluded that the rubberwood machining properties, including
planing, sanding, boring and shaping are all in the range of Grade I (excellence),
suggesting that the rubberwood could be easily processed with the machine, which is
good for solid wood products.
Shaping
Boring
Sanding
Planing
0
1
2
3
4
5
Fig.5 Rubberwood machining properties (excellent (4-5 points), good (3-4
points), fair (2-3 points), poor (1-2 points), and very poor (<1point)
2.2 Coating properties
2.2.1 Adhesion of coating
Test results of the adhesion of coating test from 3 different processes are shown in
table 7.As for the adhesion of coating performance, the third technique is the best, and
its quality points is 4.78.
The second most is the first technique, whose quality level value is 4.33, these two are
both of excellence level, and the third is inferior to the former two, with the quality
level value 3.44, which means good.
Table 7 The adhesion properties of 3 coating processes
Coating Processes
Grade I(%)
Grade II(%)
Grade III(%)
Quality points
The first
44.44
44.44
11.11
4.33
The second
0.00
44.44
55.56
3.44
The third
77.78
22.22
0.00
4.78
113
2.2.2 Wearability of Coating
From the test results of wearability of coating (table 8), it is concluded that the
wearability of coating of the first and third process is excellence ,with the quality
points 5.00 and 4.33 respectively, the quality points of wearability of the second
process is only 0.67, among which 77.78% of the products are unqualified (table 7).
Table 8 The wearability of coating of 3 different coating processes
Coating Process
The first
The second
The third
Grade I
（%）
Grade II
（%）
Grade III
（%）
Grade 4
（%）
Quality Points
77.78
5.00
0.67
4.33
100.00
22.22
33.33
66.67
Viewing from the combination of adhesion and wearability of coating, both the first
and third process is t excellent in coating properties.
2.3 Machining properties and evaluation of coating quality
The machining and coating properties are very important for solid wood products such
as furniture and flooring. In order to better understand the machining and coating
properties of rubberwood, they are compared with that of the main common used wood
species for furniture, such as oak, walnut and birch [Hou Yinyi et al. 2006; Jiang Jinhui
2005 ].
From table 9, it concluded that the machining and coating properties of rubberwood are
excellent, better than that of oak, walnut and birch.
9 GENERAL CONCLUSION
The machining and coating properties are all excellent and within the Grade I range,
which is better than that of furniture common used species such as oak, walnut and
birch. Therefore, from the aspect of machining & coating properties, the rubberwood is
good for solid wood products such as furniture and flooring.
114
Table 9 Comparison of machining & coating properties between rubber
wood and others
Items
Planing
Sanding
Boring
Shaping
Adhesion
Wearability
Proportion
Grade I & II
Properties
Proportion
Grade I &II
Properties
Proportion
Grade I &II
Properties
Proportion
Grade I &II
Properties
Proportion
Grade I &II
Properties
Proportion
Grade I &II
Properties
of
of
of
of
of
of
Rubber
wood
Oak
Walnut
Birch
100
100
93.3
100
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
100
100
100
96.88
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
100
100
100
100
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
100
82.8
90
96.7
excellent
good
excellent
excellent
100
100
--
100
excellent
excellent
100
100
excellent
good
excellent
--
100
good
REFERENCE
ASTM D 1666 – 87 (Reapproved 1999). Standard Methods for Conducting Machining
Tests of Wood and Wood-Base Materials. 2000
ASTM D3359-02. Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test. 2002
Hou Yinyi, Jiang Xiaomei, Gao Jianmin, Yin Yafang. Study on machining properties of
Eucalyptys urophylla x E. grandis. II. Shaping, Boring, Mortising and
Turning. Chinese Forestry Science and Technology. 2006, 5(2): 17-21
Jiang Jinhui. Evaluation of Butula alnoides and Castanopsis hystrix plantation wood
for furniture and decorative utilization Master degree dissertation. Chinese
Academy of Foresry. 2005
115
Rubberwood preservation by friendly preservatives
Jiang Milingliang
Wang Zhijuan
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail:jiangml@caf.ac.cn
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing, China, 100091
The most important rubber producing countries are Indonesia, Malaysia,Thailand,
China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the Philippines. Rubberwood can be used for
making a wide range of products: rubberwood-based panels (particle board, plywood,
MDF, etc.), furniture and joinery products; floor tiles and parquet, moldings,etc.
Rubber tree is mainly distributed in Hainan Island, Xishuangbana, Yunnan province
and the western part of Guangdong province in south China. China is short of timber.
Making full use of the timber can solve the problem to a certain extent.
The fresh felled rubberwood is very susceptible to fungi and insects in sub-tropical
area due to high content of carbohydrates in parenchymatous cells. The common
preservative, a mixture of boric acid, borax and sodium pentachlorophenol (BBP), was
widely used by the treating plants in Hainan and Yunnan Provinces. But today sodium
pentachlorophenol is not encouraged for lumber treatment since it is highly toxic to
human and animals and it is strictly restricted or prohibited in some countries. The
procedure of treating rubberwood with preservative containing only boric and boric
acid quickly followed by kiln drying is encouraged to be adopted by the industries in
China. At present, rubber trees are usually felled, sawn into lumber, and the lumber
impregnated and dried within about 7 to 10 days in most rubberwwood processing
plants in China. Few operators sprayed the logs with preservative; this could be the
cause of the rather frequent occurrence of blue-stains which seriously affects the
quality and value of the sawn lumber. As Hainan Island and coastal southern regions of
China are prone to hurricane which could further delay delivery of logs to processing
facilities, temporary protection of logs using cost-effective preservatives should be
developed and promoted.
1 RUBBERWOOD DEGRADATION
Freshly cut rubberwood is very susceptible to mold and stain fungi, due to the relative
117
high content of carbohydrate (such as starch) in the tissues and the high moisture
content. When rubberwood is dried, mold and stain fungi stop occurrence.
1.1 Insects
Fresh or seasoned rubberwood is easily attacked by termite and insect borers mainly
from bostrychidae (powder post beetles), platypodidae (ambrosia beetles), scolytidae
(ambrosia beetles) and lyctidae (powde rpost beetles). Ambrosia beetles attack fresh
logs and fresh sawn timber, but powder post beetles prefer seasoned timber and
finished woodwork producing a fine powder from bore holes and tunnels. Platypodidae
and scolytidae are the main insect pests of freshly felled rubberwood logs, fourteen
species of platypodids and 51 species of scolytids were identified infecting green
rubber wood according to FRIM report.
1.2 Stain and mold fungi
Fresh felled logs and timber are susceptible to stain fungi belonging to fungi Imperfecti.
Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. is the common fungi responsible for the bluish color
of rubberwood. The hypha is found both in fiber and vessel lumina.
A variety of molds can live on the surface of rubberwood, these fungi thrive on
carbohydrades in the parenchymacells of rubberwood, and they do not breakdown
lingo-cellulosic components of the wood, so they do not affect the strength of the
wood.
2 TREATING METHOD FOR RUBBBERWOOD
Untreated fresh rubberwood log and timber is susceptible to stain fungi, which
discoloration of the wood, and insects which reduce the quality and durability of
timber. So rubberwood should be treated, especially for furnisher making. The log
should be cut into timber in 3 days, otherwise, fungicides and insects should be applied
for temporary protection.
The timber should be treated by pressure or diffusion process promptly after it is cut
for preventing stain fungi and insects. Rubberwood protection is classified by
temporary protection and long-term protection.
2.1 Fungicides and insecticides for the temporary protection
Commercial fungicides and insecticides for agricultural uses may also be used for
bamboo temporary protection. Some insecticides are included: deltamethrin,
cypermethrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, fipronil,
Chlorfenapyr, etc. Some fungicides are listed as: chlorothalonil, copper oxine, MBT,
118
TCMTB, Carbendazim, benomyl, IPBC, isothiazolinone, fenpropimorph, quatery
ammonium chloride, propiconazole, etc.
The fungicide formulations should be in emulsions, solutions, wetable power. Contents
of active ingredients and user’s guide for the suitable concentration and strength should
be included on the label of the containers.
Commercial fungicides and insecticides can be choosed according to their availability
and effectiveness by the processing plants. Sodium pentachlorophenol is not
recommended for its high toxic. And its use has been strictly restricted or prohibited in
some countries such as Japan and some European counties.
Pentachlorophenol is generally not acceptable internationally due to its high toxicity. It
also contributes to the severe corrosion of the drying kiln components and turning
wood into brown.
2.2 Long-term protection, preservatives and treating schedule
When the rubberwood is dried, no stain and mold fungi as well as decay fungi occur
but power beetles can attack it, so diffusion process or pressure treatment allow the
preservative to be fully penetrated into sapwood and give long term protection. Boron
is the common preservative for vacuum pressure treatment for its high diffusion ability.
The treated products can only be used indoor circumstance for it is leachable in rain.
The schedule of vacuum pressure of treatment is described as follows:
Table1
Schedule for the rubberwood Vacuum / Pressure treatment
Phase
Vacuum / Pressure (Mpa)
Duration (min)
Initial vacuum
Pressure
Final vacuum
0.083-0.099
1.2-1.4
0.053-0.086
30-45
60-120
10-20
The treating schedule will depends on the length of the timber and the moisture content
of the timber before treatment. During the vacuum pressure treatment, the MC of
timber may be 50-100%.
Appendix I Laboratory test of Antistain and Antimold
Formulations
Five types of stain fungi were isolated from blue-stained Pinus massoniana Lamb.,
Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litu., and Hevea brasiliensis (rubberwood) and
identified as Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat., Fusarium verticillioides(Sacc.)
119
Nirenberg, Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, Trichoderma viride Pers., and Penicillium
purpurogenum Stoll in the previous work, all these fungi are classified to
Deuterornycotina.
A lot of literatures on chemical control of stain fungi have been reported (Lakes and
Woods 1992, Wakeling 1997, etc). Since the active ingredients in some fungicidal
formulations are commercially available, inhibition zone test of some formulations for
controlling stain fungi isolated from some Chinese sapwood was conducted in this
paper. The aim is to seek some potential alternatives to sodium pentachlorophenol,
which is still used in China for controlling wood sap-stain some by sawn mills.
1. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
1.1 Fungal species and their characteristic
Five fungal species were identified as：
Bt: Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat.,
Fv: Fusarium verticillioides(Sacc.)Nirenberg,
Th: Trichoderma harzianum Rifai,
Tv: Trichoderma viride Pers.,
Pp: Penicillium purpurogenum Stoll.
All the 5 fungi are capable of growing under the temperature range from 10 to 35℃,
and Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. is even able to grow at 40℃, the optimum
growth temperature is from 24 to 28℃. The 5 fungi are basically able to grow on
medium with pH value ranging from 2 to 11. More specifically, PH value from 3 to 8
was suitable for their growth, and the optimum PH value varied from 5 to 7, it seemed
that staining fungi tended to grow favorably in acid environment. There were no
apparently differences in the growth and staining patterns for the fungi growing under
three illuminate conditions.
1.2 Fungicidal formulations for stain control
Fungicidal formulations were selected for the screening test (Table 1).
120
Table 1: Fungicidal formulations for the stain control test
Formulations
Common name
Formulation types
CTL
Chlorothalonil
Emulsion
CBZ
Carbendazim
50% wetable power
Benomyl
Benomyl
Dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium
chloride
50% wetable power
Cu-8
Copper oxine
Acetic acid solution
DDAC
Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride
PPZ
Propiconazole
Water solution
Emulsion
TEB
Tebuconazole
BAC
Water solution
Emulsion
1.3 Method for stain control
Fig 1 Method for stain control, inhibition zones by fungicides
According to test method of Drug Compendium appendix XI A (2000) of China, 6mm
filter papers were sterilized in Petri dishes. The papers were fully soaked in fungicidal
formulations, and the excess formulation was removed. Then the papers were put into
the Petri dish in which PDA as media and the button was fully covered and
well-distributed by fungus Petri dishes were cultivated at 26-28℃. After fungus
growth for 3-5 days and the hypha were apparently visible, the diameters of the
inhibition zones were measured. 3 replicas (Petri dishes) for each formulation at each
concentration test and the diameter data were calculated on the 3 replicas.
121
2. RESULTS
CBZ and benomyl as well as copper oxine alone are much high efficacy for inhibiting
most of the above 5 fungi than CTL and quaternary ammonium chloride alone, in
which CBZ and benomyl have similar inhibiting result to the 5 fungi (Table2). DDAC
and BAC have also similar effect to the 5 fungi, PPZ has almost no effect to 4 fungi at
the above concentrations (Table2), and TEB is relatively efficacy than PPZ at the same
concentration to the test fungi.
The fungicidal effect of some mixtures from CTL, DDAC, Cu-8 and benomyl were
better than the single chemical. CTL did not apparently increase the inhibiting effect of
copper oxine by testing the mixture of CTL plus copper oxine (Table 3), and 0.5%
CTL apparently increase the inhibiting effect of 0.5% DDAC to the 5 fungi except for
Trichoderma viride by testing the mixture of CTL and DDAC (Table 3). 0.1-0.5%
DDAC apparently increase the inhibiting effect of all CBZ formulations to
Botryodiplodia thelbromae Pat. (Table 3).
0.01-0.08% copper oxine apparently increase the inhibiting effect of benomyl to the 5
fungi except for Trichoderma viride by test of the mixture (Table 4), and 0.01-0.5%
DDAC apparently increase the inhibiting effect of benomyl formulations to the 5 fungi
(Table 4).
The result from the inhibition zone is almost coincided by the following test of wood
chips treated with fungicides and inoculated by fungus.
3. CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded from the test of inhibition zone that:
1)
2)
3)
122
CBZ and benomyl as well as copper oxine alone are much high efficacy for
inhibiting most of the 5 fungi than other formulations;
The fungicidal effect of some mixtures of CTL, DDAC, Cu-8, Benomyl and were
better than alone. CTL increase the inhibiting effect of 0.5% DDAC to the 5 fungi
except for Trichoderma viride, and it did not increase the inhibiting effect of
copper oxine;
0.01-0.08% copper oxine and 0.01-0.5% DDAC increase the inhibiting effect of
benomyl to most of the 5 fungi.
Table 2 The diameter of inhibition zone by formulations (mm)
Formulations
CTL
CBZ
BAC
benomyl
Cu-8
DDAC
PPZ
TEB
Concentrations
of a. i.
0.05%
0.20%
0.50%
0.001%
0.005%
0.010%
0.02%
0.10%
0.20%
0.80%
1.60%
2.00%
0.001%
0.005%
0.010%
0.02%
0.10%
0.20%
0.005%
0.010%
0.040%
0.08%
0.20%
0.50%
0.80%
1.60%
2%
0.005%
0.010%
0.020%
0.005%
0.010%
0.050%
Bt
Fv
Th
Tv
Pp
0
7.4
9.1
36.6
39.2
40.1
40.6
41.2
43.6
8..5
11.9
13.2
32.4
35.5
37.0
38.1
40.7
50.6
0
9.1
13.5
21.3
24.2
41.1
12.0
13.1
13.4
0
0
0
0
0
0
12.8
14.1
14.7
0
12.0
14.9
17.7
21.0
24.4
14.1
17.5
19.9
0
6.5
9.6
10.8
16.6
21.2
0
0
11.0
16.4
21.4
30.3
15.1
16.4
18.0
0
0
0
7.1
13.2
20.9
11.7
12.2
12.7
16.5
21.4
22.1
23.0
25.3
28.4
11.0
12.7
13.9
18.7
19.1
19.4
20.3
22.3
29.4
0
0
0
14.3
14.8
17.4
12.1
13.4
13.9
0
0
0
0
0
12.4
8.2
10.3
12.1
20.0
25.5
26.0
22.5
26.8
29.8
16.3
18.1
19.6
11.4
19.2
20.0
13.1
25.5
28.7
13.6
17.6
21.1
19.7
22.6
31.5
10.6
11.1
11.9
0
20.0
21.9
0
13.2
18.5
9.5
11.1
13.5
29.6
32.8
36.5
38.4
40.3
42.6
22.3
24.2
25.9
27.8
29.8
30.0
30.6
35.6
38.3
10.8
13.9
18.9
22.9
28.1
36.2
20.8
23.1
29.0
0
0
0
12.7
16.6
17.0
123
Table 3 The diameter of inhibition zone by formulations (mm)
Concentrations
Bt
of a. i.
0.2%+0.2%
20.1
CTL+Cu-8
0.5%+0.2%
25.6
0.5%+0.5%
33.0
0.05%+0.5%
14.7
CTL+DDAC
0.2%+0.5%
18.0
0.5%+0.5%
49.1
0.01%+0.01%
21.4
0.01%+0.05%
22.3
0.01%+0.1%
23.8
CBZ+Cu-8
0.1%+0.2%
42.3
0.1%+0.5%
47.2
0.2%+0.5%
59.7
0.005%+0.05%
40.5
0.01%+0.05%
43.6
0.01%+0.1%
46.4
CBZ+DDAC
0.02%+0.2%
48.0
0.1%+0.5%
50.0
0.2%+0.5%
53.2
0.2%+0.02%
8.11
BAC+CTL
0.2%+0.05%
8.42
0.4%+0.1%
17.9
0.2%+0.01%
10.4
BAC+Cu-8
0.4%+0.01%
11.9
0.4%+0.05%
16.0
a
N: No fungal growth
Formulations
124
Fv
24.1
18.5
29.9
18.1
19.6
27.5
14.1
18.9
24.3
43.0
43.5
46.6
17.6
17.9
18.3
19.3
20.6
22.7
19.8
20.0
23.5
12.5
14.5
16.1
Th
11.9
13.5
16.3
18.0
23.9
27.9
28.2
28.9
30.6
48.6
56.8
60.3
23.8
26.6
27.8
28.8
30.2
32.0
15.4
15.7
19.8
10.2
13.1
14.1
Tv
12.5
12.8
20.4
9.5
11.5
12.7
32.5
33.9
35.7
35.2
34.2
44.3
22.6
25.8
25.5
26.4
28.7
30.4
17.1
17.4
19.8
15.2
17.8
18.4
Pp
30.2
31.0
41.8
23.0
40.6
52.7
41.5
45.6
46.9
Na
N
N
40.8
42.7
43.5
44.1
44.6
45.2
27.3
28.6
29.5
23.7
25.5
27.3
Table 4 The diameter of inhibition zone by formulations (mm)
Concentrations
of a. i.
0.005%+0.01%
0.01%+0.01%
0.02%+0.01%
Benomyl+Cu-8
0.02%+0.02%
0.1%+0.02%
0.2%+0.08%
0.005%+0.01%
0.01%+0.1%
0.02%+0.2%
Benomyl+DDAC
0.02%+0.5%
0.1%+0.5%
0.2%+0.5%
0.02%+0.2%
Cu-8+DDAC
0.02%+0.5%
0.08%+0.5%
0.01%+0.005%
PPZ+Cu-8
0.02%+0.005%
0.02%+0.01%
0.01%+0.01%
PPZ+DDAC
0.02%+0.05%
0.02%+0.1%
0.01%+0.005%
PPZ+Benomyl
0.02%+0.01%
0.02%+0.02%
0.005%+0.005%
TEB+Cu-8
0.01%+0.005%
0.05%+0.01%
0.005%+0.01%
TEB+DDAC
0.01%+0.05%
0.05%+0.1%
0.01%+0.005%
TEB+Benomyl
0.02%+0.01%
0.05%+0.02%
Formulations
Bt
42.7
43.1
46.1
48.9
50.4
52.9
44.8
45.8
50.4
N
N
N
18.0
22.7
24.3
9.1
10.0
12.5
10.2
17.5
17.0
21.8
19.5
23.6
9.1
10.9
15.5
0
17.2
20.7
16.3
23.1
27.1
Fv
8.9
12.2
13.2
18.3
29.0
38.7
16.2
20.1
20.0
32.7
43.1
43.3
16.3
20.3
31.8
14.0
17.3
16.7
0
15.2
14.3
14.5
19.1
21.1
11.1
14.9
22.2
0
19.5
24.1
16.6
18.6
21.8
Th
25
25.6
25.7
27.0
31.9
38.1
22.6
26.6
28.1
42.0
43.7
41.4
18.0
20.6
20.4
0
0
9.5
12.4
16.0
15.5
23.9
25.8
26.7
0
0
0
0
17.4
18.6
22.8
24.7
24.2
Tv
17.5
20.8
21.4
22.9
22.8
23.8
21.5
29.4
31.0
32.5
36.7
39.1
12.0
14.3
17.8
0
0
0
0
0
0
22.8
25.6
26.8
0
0
0
0
15.2
18.0
22.9
25.3
25.9
Pp
32.3
35.3
35.7
40.0
53.7
56.3
36
39.8
43.5
N
N
N
24.8
31.9
27.0
18.9
11.5
14.1
10.9
11.6
12.9
30.4
32.7
33.5
17.7
21.0
28.9
20.5
23.6
29.2
27.4
28.6
32.2
125
REFERENCES
Laks, P E, Woods, T L (1992): Chlorothalonil: A new ground contact wood
preservative. IRG/WP/ 92-3712.
Wakeling, R, Woods, T L (1997): Antisapstain field trials of nexgen in New Zealand.
IRG/WP/97-30145.
Wakeling, R, et al (1997): Laboratory and field trials of novel antisapstain
formulations. IRG/WP/97-30146.
Cooper, J F, Riboul, D, De Vleeschauwer, M, Woods, T (1997): Migration of
chlorothalonil and carbendazim in fruits stored in wood treated with the
anti-sapstain formulation Tuff Brite C. IRG/WP 97-50097.
Appendix II Technical report of vacuum pressure treatment
by NaPCP free preservative during 2006-2007
--ITTO PD103/01 Rev.4(I) “Demonstration of Rubberwood Processing Technology
and Promotion of Sustainable Development in China and Other Asian Countries”
Based on the output of ITTO PD 3/96 Rev. 2(I), pilot test of vacuum pressure treatment
of NaPCP free preservative was conducted during 2006-2007.
1 MATERIALS AND METHOD
1.1 Materials
Fresh rubberwood timber.
1.2 Preservatives
The active ingredients of formulations are described in Table 1.
Table 1 The active ingredients of each vacuum pressure treatment
formulations (a. i. %)
Formulations
Boric acid
Borax
F2
1
0.50
1.00
0.035-0.045
2
1.00
0.20
0.035-0.050
1.3 Test sites
Site 1：Lezhong Wood Factory, Hainan Nongken Wood Co，duration：Aug 3, 2006–
126
May 31, 2007.
Site 2： Cangjiang Wood Plant, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. duration：July 24,
2006– Oct 31, 2006.
1.4 Treating procedure
Vacuum pressure treatment was used in the following procedure.
Site 1： Initiate vacuum 0.08 M Pa for 15 min, 1.2 M Pa pressure for 35 min, final
vacuum 0.085 MPa for 10 min. The average absorption was 200-250 kg/ m3. The
treated timber was stacked.
Site 2： Initiate vacuum 0.08 M Pa for 15 min, 1.1 M Pa pressure for 60 min, final
vacuum 0.08 MPa for 15 min. The average absorption was 200-250 kg/ m3. The treated
timber was stacked.
Fig. 1
Rubberwood timberbefore treatment (Lezhong Wood Factory,
Hainan Nongken Wood Co，Aug, 2006)
Fig. 2
Preservative (boric acid/borax/F2) (Lezhong Wood Factory, Hainan
Nongken Wood Co，Aug,2006)
127
Fig.3
Preservative(boric
acid/borax/F2)
(Cangjiang
Wood
Plant,
Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province，Aug, 2006)
Fig.4
Air drying after treatment (Cangjiang Wood Plant, Xishuangbanna,
Yunnan Province，Aug, 2006)
2 RESULTS
This test indicated that F2 could prevent the treated timber for 15-20 days from stain
and mold. At Lezhong Wood Factory, Hainan Nongken Wood Co, there was only
small mold occurrence during air drying in May 2007. At Cangjiang Wood Plant, there
was only small mold occurrence during air drying from Sept to Oct, 2006. The reason is
that: some treated timber was direct exposed to exterior for the leaching of preservative
after the raining, for there is limited shed for air drying.
3 CONCLUSION
Fungicide carbendazim (F2) can be used for stain and mold control instead of NaPCP.
128
Drying Technique of Improved-Preservative Treated
Rubberwood
Gao Ruiqing
Teng Tonglian
Li Xiaoling
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, ,
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail:ray@caf.ac.cn
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry, P. O. Box 18,
Beijing, China, 100091
Research Institute of Wood Industry,
Chinese Academy of Forestry,
Beijing, China, 100091 E-mail:lixiaol@caf.ac.cn
Abstract: In order to gain the drying characteristics of improved-preservative treated
rubberwood, 100 ℃ drying test method was used. Based on the test results,
rubberwood drying schedules for lab testing were made out. Then a series of lab
testing experiments were conducted in a wood drying test machine, and finally 3
optimized drying schedules for improved-preservative treated rubberwood were gained.
And a series of follow-up pilot tests were executed in a rubber wood mill in Hainan
province. Results showed that: Rubberwood with or without pith should be dried
separately. Pith free rubberwood could be dried according to the high temperature
drying schedule C with good drying quality; Uniform spacing stickers and heavy load
on top of stack was recommended to reduce deformation; In order to keep the original
color of rubberwood, the rubberwood should be dried according to schedule A; And
schedule B can also be adopted according to the requirement of final products of the
rubberwood by the manufactory.
1 INTRODUCTION
Being one of tropical species, rubberwood（Hevea brasilie）has been planted in large
scale in Hainan, Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi since 1950’s in order to crop the
latex to make rubber. The economical life-span of rubberwood trees is 25 to 30 years,
in order to improve the output of the latex, the rubberwood trees must be refreshed in a
period of time. From the 1980’s, rubberwood trees have been cut in fixed quantity and
refreshed every year, it is estimated that the output of rubberwood log is about 500-800
129
thousand cubic meters every year, this is a very large amount of tropical wood resource
in China.
In old days, rubberwood was mainly consumed as the fuel wood with little commercial
value because it is likely to be eroded and is easy to be attacked by the insects. Studies
on the utilization and the development of rubberwood has been taken into account in
China since the middle of 1970’s, and the rubberwood preservation problem has been
solved in the end of 1970’s. In addition, the related studies such as rubberwood
properties, drying techniques and utilization have also been done.
At present, the main preservatives for rubberwood are those containing the NaPCP,
which are very effective in the preservation. However, the toxicity of NaPCP is very
severe and preservatives treatment by NaPCP can cause pollution, therefore, the uses
of NaPCP are strictly limited or forbidden in many countries. Considering the
environment protection and the development of international market, developing the
new preservatives without containing NaPCP is the common study topic of both China
and all other rubberwood production countries.
The key problem to be solved of this project is to determine the best rubberwood
drying technique after they are treated by new preservatives with containing none
NaPCP.
2 TEST METHOD
2.1 Test material
Species: rubberwood（Hevea brasilie）
Tree age：25-33 years
Produci
(1)Xilian Farm, Hainan Province
(2)Nanmao Farm, Hainan Province
Log diameter：220-450mm
Log length：2,000-2,200mm
2.2 Drying characteristics test
In order to determine the drying schedule of rubberwood, drying characteristics were
tested in the electricity heated oven. Test sample (with the size of 200×100×20 mm)
were put in the oven on end with the constant temperature at 100℃. Before the test, the
initial status, including the weight, and the visible surface defects were measured. The
130
initial checks were checked according to a fixed time. When the moisture content is
below 1 percent, the test was over. At this time, calculate the number of all invisible
drying defects, and then cut the samples to calculate the final moisture content, in the
meantime, the observe the inner checks and calculate the cross-section deformation
value.
Table 1 Status of initial checks
Surface check
No.
Long-n
arrow
Short-n
arrow
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
0
1
3
2
4
9
3
0
3
2
End-surface check
End check
Wide
Longnarrow
Shortnarrow
Wide
Long
small
Defects
grade
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
7
2
3
7
5
4
7
11
3
8
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
Table 2 Status of internal checks and cross-section deformation after drying
No.
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
Internal
checks
No check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
no check
Defects
grade
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Deformation (A-B）mm
Defects grade
0.10
0.03
0.12
0.18
0.32
0.06
0.00
0.17
0.09
0.03
0.33
0.25
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
131
Table 3 Moisture content changing during the 100℃ drying test (%)
Drying
time
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
0
1 hour
3 hours
5 hours
7 hours
13 hours
73.6
71.5
70.3
68.2
69.1
70.4
71.6
72.9
68.9
75.8
67.8
72.0
50.3
47.6
48.1
48.2
48.9
48.6
48.1
50.9
48.2
53.1
49.0
49.2
34.7
34.1
34.5
35.4
34.8
34.2
34.8
36.1
34.0
38.6
39.3
37.5
25.0
24.8
25.6
26.2
25.0
24.5
24.2
26.3
25.1
29.1
28.0
27.9
17.5
17.9
18.9
19.8
20.2
19.5
18.7
19.2
18.5
19.2
20.5
18.7
4.2
6.2
6.5
7.2
6.3
5.1
4.5
4.1
5.4
4.9
4.8
6.7
19
hours
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.
1.2
100℃drying test showed that the check of rubberwood was not serious. The main
types of checks were end check, surface check and end-surface check. Although the
initial moisture content of rubberwood was high, the moisture content of the surface
part decreased rapidly under the FSP and begin to shrink, while that of the inner part
was still higher. Therefore, the drying stress occurred and the surface check appeared.
After the drying test lasted for one hour, the slight end check appeared on all the test
samples, and with the test continuing, the checks became more and more seriously,
even some of these end checks were stretched to the outer surface to form that called
end-surface checks. When the sample’s mean moisture content reached about 30%, all
the initial checks stopped. 100℃drying characteristics test showed there were some
surface checks, end checks and end-surface checks in the initial drying stage but not
seriously (see table 1), and the defect grade of initial checks of 100℃drying test was
grade 2.
After drying test ended, the samples were sawn to make the final moisture content test
sample and to check the status of internal check and to measure cross-section
deformation value (A-B) (see table 2). The results showed there was no internal check
in the rubberwood, and the defect grade of internal checks of 100℃drying test was
grade 1. And the cross-section deformation value was very small, its defect grade of
100℃drying test was grade 1 too (see table 2).
2.3 Rubberwood drying schedule test
Rubberwood drying schedules for test were made out according to the results of 100℃
drying characteristics testing. and all the drying schedules tests were carried out in one
132
of the rubberwood processing mill located in Hainan Province. The test sample size of
rubberwood was 800-1,200mm long , 80mm wide and 30mm thick. After preservatives
treatment, the test samples were deposited in the air-drying shelter for a short term.
And then the kiln drying tests were executed in this mill. After a series of testing, 3
drying schedules were finally selected (see table 4 –6).
（Thickness:25-30mm）
Table 4 Drying schedule A
Moisture
content (%)
Dry bulb
temperature
(℃)
Pre-treatment
50 以上
50-40
40-30
30-25
25-20
20-15
15 以下
End-treatment
55
48
50
52
55
60
65
75
65
Temperature
difference
between dry
bulb and wet
bulb (℃)
1
3
4
6
8
12
15
20
6
Pre-treatm
ent
>50
50-40
40-30
30-25
25-20
20-15
<15
End-treatm
ent
95
85
80
70
65
52
45
37
78
Lasting time
5-6 hours
3-4 hours
（Thickness:25-30mm）
Table 5 Drying schedule B
Moisture
content
(%)
Relative
humidity（%）
Dry bulb
temperature (℃)
Temperature
difference
between dry
bulb and wet
bulb (℃)
Relative
humidity（%）
Lasting time
65
1
95
5-6 hours
60
62
64
66
70
75
80
3
5
8
10
12
15
20
85
78
67
60
55
48
39
85
6
60
3-4 hours
133
Table 6 Drying schedule C
Moisture
content (%)
Dry bulb
temperature
(℃)
Pre-treatment
>50
50-40
40-30
30-25
25-20
20-15
<15
End-treatment
70
66
70
75
80
80
85
90
85
（Thickness:25-30mm）
Temperature
difference
between dry
bulb and wet
bulb (℃)
1
6
9
11
12
15
20
25
6
Relative
humidity（%）
95
75
65
60
58
50
40
33
60
Lasting time
5-6 hours
3-4 hours
3. DRYING SCHEDULE TESTING RESULTS ANALYSIS
The main indices taken into account in these drying schedule tests were the drying
quality and drying speed. The objective of the tests was made out the optimum drying
schedule of rubberwood with the shortest drying time at the precondition of good
drying quality.
3.1 Drying quality
3.1.1 Visible drying defects
All visible drying defects, including end check, end-surface check, surface check, warp
and deformation were counted after the test (see table 7). The results showed that,
during the drying, the checks were not serious. The main types of checks were slight
end checks, in which, some of them were developed into end-surface checks. And
some small checks sometimes occurred in the surface of rubberwood boards along with
the vessels, which were so imperceptible that they can be removed after planing and
will not affect its use.
When drying rubberwood timber containing the pith with drying schedule B, few
checks were found and only some deformation occurred; while drying with schedule C,
severe checks even spits and deformation were found in about one fourth of those
timber which containing pith. Considering these facts, timbers with pith and without
pith should be dried respectively. Those containing pith should be dried according to
schedule B and proper middle term treatment were needed, while Those pith free
rubberwood timber could be dried fast according to schedule C and the drying time
134
would be shorten.
Table 7 Inspected Drying Indices
Drying
Index
Schedule
Wi
Wf
A
Wg
Y
Wi
Wf
B
Wg
Max. Min.
42.4
9.4
1.05
0.69
43.3
7.6
1.30
27.1
0.51
0.11
0.33
20.6
0.98
0.53
V% Average
37.6
18.4
8.6
11.2
35.2
10.6
35.1
60.5
10.3
1.9
1.20
58.6
9.2
1.5
1.90 0.35 0.22 19.8
1.09
Wi 84.2 45.8 19.3 29.8
Wf 10.9 9.2 0.50 5.2
Wg 1.2 0.90 0.31 31.4
64.9
9.6
1.0
Y
1.09
Y
78.6
10.9
2.1
2.0
80.1
10.1
2.0
ó
unit: %
C
1.90 0.35 0.22 19.8
Visible drying defects
Surface checks and deformation
were found on 5 samples
containing pith; No split, warp
and inner check were found
End-surface checks were found
on a few samples, no surface
check and inner check were
found. The dried rubberwood kept
the original color.
End-surface checks were found
on a few samples, surface checks
were found on the samples
containing pith. Other samples
were dried with good quality, and
the color of the samples became
darker.
Note: Wi—initial MC; Wf—final MC; Wg—MC gradient along the thickness direction; Y—drying
stress; ó—mean square deviation , V%— indicates the variance
3.1.2 Final Moisture contents (Wf)
The desired final moisture content of this test was 10%. Due to the limited test samples,
100 to 300 test samples were dried together with the timber of the factory and were put
into the different kilns with capacity from 35 to 75 cubic meter. After drying, moisture
contents were calculated by means of making the pieces of moisture content samples.
The results showed the final moisture contents of rubberwood were around 10%, and
the difference of moisture content between different samples was very small. The
drying quality meets the need of grade one or grade two of national drying standard
sawn timber.
3.1.3 Moisture content gradient along the thickness direction (Wg)
When drying, the water in surface layer was firstly removed from the rubberwood, so
the moisture contents in different layers were different, thus the moisture content
gradient existed. This gradient still existed when then drying process ended. Therefore,
final treatment must have been done before the rubberwood was removed out of the
kiln. The results of moisture content gradient along the thickness direction showed that
the moisture content difference between different layers was small, and the drying
135
quality was in order of grade one of national drying standard of sawn timber.
3.1.4 Drying stress index (Y)
Drying stress existed all the time during the drying because of different evaporating
speed along the thickness direction, and when the stress was big enough, surface
checks or internal checks appeared. Therefore, middle term treatment must have been
carried out when the moisture content was at about 30% in order to reduce the drying
stress. When the drying was finished, the residual drying stress still existed and would
cause deformation during final using. Moisture balance treatment has been done in
these tests in order to reduce the difference of moisture content between different
layers or different samples, and the residual drying stress reduced a lot. The results
showed that, the drying stress index was in order of grade one of national drying
standard of sawn timber.
3.2 Deformation
Rubberwood is a fast growing species with big structure variation. When drying, they
are easily formed severe deformation, including bowing, cupping, warping and
twisting. It was found that the rubberwood deformation on the upside of the stack was
bigger than the lower side because the timber in the lower side endured large
compression, thus the deformation was restricted. So in the later testing, all the spacing
stickers were kept in straight lines and some heavy load were put on the top of stack,
meanwhile the proper middle term treatment also was executed. Results showed that
all kinds of deformation greatly reduced.
3.3 Drying speed
Drying speed is also an important index. Improving the drying speed, shortening the
drying time and reducing the drying costing should put into practice at the precondition
of good drying quality. This will greatly improve the annual drying production amount,
and thus improve the economic benefits.
Table 8 Drying time and speed of different drying period
Thickness:25-30mm
Total Drying time of different Drying speed of different Avera
Final
period (h)
period（%/h)
drying
ge
MC(%)
time(h) ＞30% 30-20% ＜20% ＞30% 30-20% ＜20% (%/h)
Drying
Schedule
Initial
MC(%)
A
60.5
10.1
260
B
58.6
9.2
190
83
49
58
0.34
0.20
0.18
0.79
C
64.9
9.6
110
41
29
40
0.85
0.34
0.26
0.36
136
122
60
78
0.25
0.17
0.13
0.59
3 reasonable drying schedules were made out and could be used to dry wood with good
quality, while the difference of drying speed was very huge (see table 8). The results
showed that, the drying time was about 11 days when drying these preservatives
treated rubberwood according to schedule A, about 8 days according to schedule B and
about 4.5 days according to schedule C. The tests showed the rubberwood could be fast
dried at some high temperature.
3.4 Rubberwood color after drying
Rubberwood is diffuse porous wood with straight grain, its heartwood and sapwood is
hard to distinguish. The fresh rubberwood is light yellow in color, beautiful in grain,
and well in processing. The preservative was mainly consisted with borax and boric
acid and with none NaPCP, so after vacuum treating, the rubberwood almost
maintained the original color. In order to keep the original natural color of rubberwood,
the color of dried rubberwood was analyzed. The results showed the color of dried
rubberwood had a close relationship with the drying temperature and humidity. The
higher the drying temperature was, the bigger the humidity was and the longer the
drying time was, the darker the color was. The rubberwood color became darker and
brown when they were dried according to schedule C, while the color almost kept the
original natural color when they were dried according to schedule A.
3.5 Drying costing
Drying is an important procedure in rubberwood processing, and is the most energy
consumed one. In order to get more benefit, not only the loss caused by degrade should
be reduced
but also the drying cost should be strictly restricted.
The factors affects the rubberwood drying cost includes drying time, electricity
consumption, vapor consumption, labor cost and equipment depreciation. In order to
be convenient for comparing, the costing was calculated based upon a 50 m3 kiln. The
drying costs indices includes 9kw power consumption, 5 to 8 tone vapor consumption
per m3 rubberwood, and 3 labors a day. The other indices includes electricity expense
(0.80 yuan/kwh), vapor expense (50 Yuan/tone) and labor expense (30Yuan/person
day). Drying costing of three schedules are list as following:
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Table 9 Drying costing
Drying
schedule
A
B
C
Electricity
consumption
Electricity
Cost
consumption
(Yuan)
(kwh)
2367.0
1900.8
1728.0
1382.4
992.0
777.6
Heat consumption
Heat
consumption
(Tone)
55.0
48.0
36.0
Cost
(Yuan)
2750.0
2400.0
1800.0
Labor
Labor
(person
day)
33
24
14
Total
Cost
(Yuan)
990.0
720.0
420.0
Total cost
(Yuan)
5640.8
4502.4
2997.6
Cost per
unit
(Yuan/m3)
112.8
90.0
60.0
From table 9, it is showed that the difference of drying costs according to different
drying schedules were very huge. The drying costing was 112.8 yuan/m3 when the
rubberwood was dried according to schedule A, while it would be greatly reduced to
60 yuan/m3 when the rubberwood was dried according to schedule C.
4 CONCLUSION
The drying characteristic grade of rubberwood with new preservatives treated was
grade 2 of initial check, grade 2 of internal check and grade 1 of deformation.
According to the result of drying characteristic test and a series of the drying schedules
tests, 3 optimum drying schedules were made.
Rubberwood with or without pith should be dried separately. Pith free rubberwood
could be dried according to the high temperature drying schedule C with good drying
quality which the drying checks, deformation and moisture contents of dried
rubberwood were all fit the national drying standard of grade 1.
Uniform spacing stickers and heavy load on top of stack was recommended to reduce
deformation. When drying rubberwood with pith, the drying temperature should be
lower and middle term treatment time should be increase.
The color of dried rubberwood has a close relationship with the drying temperature and
humidity. In order to keep the original color of rubberwood, the rubberwood should be
dried according to drying schedule A with a lower drying temperature.
Drying time had a close relationship with the drying schedule. When drying
rubberwood according to the 3 different schedules, their drying time were 11, 8 and 45
days respectively.
Drying time greatly affected the drying costing. Improving the drying speed or
shortening drying time will reduce the drying costing.
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Above all, in order to improve the drying efficient and reduce the drying costing, the
rubberwood should be dried according to schedule C; In the other hand, in order to
keep the original color of rubberwood, they should be dried according to schedule A;
Schedule B can also be adopted according to the requirement of final products of the
rubberwood by the manufactory.
REFERENCES
He D H et; 1991: The test on air-conventional combined timber drying, Wood drying
symposium V(18).
Vermaas H F; A review of drying technology for young fast-grown Eucalypts.
Department of Wood Science University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Li X L et; 2003: Study on Drying Characteristics and Predicted Schedules of Five
Species Tropical Plantation Woods in China, 2nd Technical Report. ITTO
Project PD 69/01 Rev.2(I).
He D H et; 1987: The test on air-drying process and kiln drying technology for poplar.
The China Wood Industry.
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CFC/ITTO/72 – PD 103/01 Rev. 4 (I)
Demonstration of Rubberwood Processing Technology and Promotion of
Sustainable Development in China and Other Asian Countries
Project Leader:
Project Technical Leader:
Executing Agency:
Ye Kelin, Professor, Director of CRIWI
Lu Jianxiong, Professor
Jiang Mingliang, Professor
Research Institute of Wood Industry
Chinese Academy of Forestry
Wan Shou Shan, Beijing, 100091
P. R. China
Tel.: 86-10-62888861
Fax: 86-10-62881937
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