The Further Processing of Tropical Timber in The Further Processing of Tropical Timber in THAILANDTHAILAND

By By SomchaiSomchai BenjachayaBenjachaya

Royal Forest Department Royal Forest Department Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture and CoorperativesCoorperatives

for for Workshop on Further Processing of Tropical Timber in the AsiaWorkshop on Further Processing of Tropical Timber in the Asia--Pacific Region, Pacific Region,

Seoul, Korea, Seoul, Korea, August 28August 28–– September 1, 2001September 1, 2001

•• Forests is a place for tourism and Forests is a place for tourism and recreation, genetic bank of biorecreation, genetic bank of bio--resources resources and water absorption, for the direct and water absorption, for the direct profit it provide wood and nonprofit it provide wood and non--wood wood products.products.

•• Property of wood are renewable, Property of wood are renewable, reuseablereuseable, , recycleablerecycleable, decomposable, , decomposable, less energy consumption and carbon sink. less energy consumption and carbon sink.

I. IntroductionI. Introduction

Thailand’s forests rich of natural diversity*Northern and *Northeastern regionTropical mountain evergreen forest, Coniferous forest, Mixed deciduous forest, and Dry dipterocarpforest *Central regionMixed deciduous forest and Mangrove forest*Southern regionTropical moist evergreen forest, Mangrove forest and Swamp forest

•• The well known exported wood was The well known exported wood was •• ““Siam TeakSiam Teak”” ((TectonaTectona grandisgrandis Linn.) or Linn.) or

““Golden TeakGolden Teak”” in present name. in present name.

•• The National Forest Policy determined that The National Forest Policy determined that Thailand will be covered by 40 % of total land Thailand will be covered by 40 % of total land area 51,311,502 hectares, but the present forest area 51,311,502 hectares, but the present forest area is only 25.28 % remaining, thus have to area is only 25.28 % remaining, thus have to reforest for 14.72 % or 7,553,053 hectares. reforest for 14.72 % or 7,553,053 hectares.

Logging BanLogging Ban

•• The government promulgated a total ban The government promulgated a total ban on logging over the country in 1989.on logging over the country in 1989.

•• In 1999 ThailandIn 1999 Thailand’’s total import quantity s total import quantity of log, of log, sawntimbersawntimber, wood products, pulp , wood products, pulp and paper was approximately $ 800 and paper was approximately $ 800 million. These products was exported for million. These products was exported for approximately $ 1,300 million.approximately $ 1,300 million.

Rubberwood, the world market called it “White Teak”

Eucalyptus sp., from Australia, used in pulp and paper industry.

Teak from plantation will be the important raw materials again in the near future.

II. Forest ResourcesII. Forest Resources

•• 1. Natural forest1. Natural forest•• 2. 2. RubberwoodRubberwood plantationplantation•• 3. Forest plantation3. Forest plantation•• 3.1 Eucalyptus3.1 Eucalyptus•• 3.1.1 Eucalyptus from the government project3.1.1 Eucalyptus from the government project•• 3.1.2 Eucalyptus by the private sector3.1.2 Eucalyptus by the private sector’’s industrys industry•• 3.2 Teak3.2 Teak

Natural forestNatural forest••The floods and a landslide in the southern of The floods and a landslide in the southern of Thailand that claimed hundreds of lives in late 1988, Thailand that claimed hundreds of lives in late 1988, prompted the government to introduce a complete prompted the government to introduce a complete ban on logging in 1989. ban on logging in 1989.

••At the beginning, imported wood from the At the beginning, imported wood from the neighbouringneighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos, countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia and from other countries in Cambodia, and Indonesia and from other countries in Africa and South America.Africa and South America.

RubberwoodRubberwood plantationplantation

•• Thailand has an area of Thailand has an area of RubberwoodRubberwoodplantation for the second ranking of the plantation for the second ranking of the world from Indonesia world from Indonesia

•• Thailand export latex 2 million tons/year, Thailand export latex 2 million tons/year, the worldthe world’’s first ranking.s first ranking.

•• The The RubberwoodRubberwood Replanting Aid Fund Replanting Aid Fund which pay for 6,800 baht/which pay for 6,800 baht/rairai** ($ 944.44 per ($ 944.44 per hectare) for replanting.hectare) for replanting.

• In each year the target to cut down is 36,800 hectares which gave wood 140 cu.m./hectare, but the total to be used 70 % and appropriated for furniture production only 33.5 %, 12 % for pole, and 53 % for the lapwood and woodfuel.

• The industry use the Rubberwood to produce

particleboardparticleboardfurniturefurniture toystoys

frameframeMDFMDF parquetparquet

woodfuelwoodfuelkitchenwarekitchenware spoolspool

Forest PlantationForest Plantation•• 3.1 Eucalyptus3.1 Eucalyptus•• 3.1.1 Eucalyptus from the government 3.1.1 Eucalyptus from the government

projectproject•• For instead of 4 economic crops : For instead of 4 economic crops :

Rice, Cassava, Coffee, and Pepper (which Rice, Cassava, Coffee, and Pepper (which always faced the lower price problem and pest always faced the lower price problem and pest infected). infected).

•• The planting achieved the target of The planting achieved the target of 108,800 hectares during 1994108,800 hectares during 1994--1996.1996.

••The problem on Eucalyptus combating The problem on Eucalyptus combating that it will destroy the ecosystem, thus from that it will destroy the ecosystem, thus from this mentioned matter, the procedure was this mentioned matter, the procedure was stopped. stopped.

••But Eucalyptus was enhanced to plant, But Eucalyptus was enhanced to plant, nevertheless, not more than half of the nevertheless, not more than half of the Economic Forest Plantation Extension Economic Forest Plantation Extension Project area. Project area.

Eucalyptus by the private sectorEucalyptus by the private sector’’s industrys industry

•• There are two company groups in Thailand : There are two company groups in Thailand : •• 1) The 1) The KasetKaset RungruengRungrueng PerchpolPerchpol Group, Group,

compose with 2 branches : Agro Line Co.,Ltd. compose with 2 branches : Agro Line Co.,Ltd. for Eucalyptus planting of 32,000 hectares and for Eucalyptus planting of 32,000 hectares and promote to sell seedling to the farmer of 48,000 promote to sell seedling to the farmer of 48,000 hectares, for Advance Agro Public Co.,Ltd. to hectares, for Advance Agro Public Co.,Ltd. to produce pulp and paper about 3 million produce pulp and paper about 3 million tons/year.tons/year.

KasetKaset RungruengRungrueng PerchpolPerchpol GroupGroup

Siam Cement GroupSiam Cement Group

•• 2) The Siam Cement Group by the Siam 2) The Siam Cement Group by the Siam Forestry Co.,Ltd. that it has the farmers Forestry Co.,Ltd. that it has the farmers who is the member for 25,600 hectares who is the member for 25,600 hectares and nonand non--member in 150 km. around the member in 150 km. around the company for 40,000 hectares. At present, company for 40,000 hectares. At present, the Siam Cellulose Co.,Ltd. use them for the Siam Cellulose Co.,Ltd. use them for pulp and paper productionpulp and paper production.

Teak

•• The Royal Forest Department (RFD) hold a project of The Royal Forest Department (RFD) hold a project of the Farmer Extension for Forest Plantation for 5 years the Farmer Extension for Forest Plantation for 5 years (1994(1994--1998). By the next phase, the name was change to 1998). By the next phase, the name was change to the Economic Forest Plantation Extension Project the Economic Forest Plantation Extension Project (1999(1999--2005), 12 years. 2005), 12 years.

•• The government support this project by providing fund The government support this project by providing fund 3,000 baht/3,000 baht/rairai ($ 1,875 per hectare) and divide to pay ($ 1,875 per hectare) and divide to pay for 5 years : 800, 700, 600, 500, and 400 baht each year. for 5 years : 800, 700, 600, 500, and 400 baht each year.

•• The extension target is 1.28 million The extension target is 1.28 million hectares, but until now (2000) the planted hectares, but until now (2000) the planted areas was successfully reforested only areas was successfully reforested only 0.37 million hectares. 0.37 million hectares.

•• Teak is popular for planting for 88,000 Teak is popular for planting for 88,000 hectares during 1994hectares during 1994--1996.1996.

Teak

III. Processing and UtilizationIII. Processing and Utilization

•• 1. Primary processing1. Primary processing•• 1.1 Sawing1.1 Sawing•• 1.2 Wood preservation1.2 Wood preservation

•• 2. Secondary processing2. Secondary processing•• 2.1 Furniture manufacturing2.1 Furniture manufacturing•• 2.2 Wood2.2 Wood--based panels manufacturingbased panels manufacturing•• 2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing•• 2.4 Charcoal production2.4 Charcoal production

Sawing

Chain sawChain saw

Circular sawCircular sawwith motor of plow machinewith motor of plow machine

Oscillating sawOscillating saw

Band sawBand saw

Small logSmall log of Small log of RubberwoodRubberwood and wood from and wood from

plantation, which have the different qualification plantation, which have the different qualification from the wood of natural forest such as growth stress from the wood of natural forest such as growth stress of small wood due to twist and split of lumber. of small wood due to twist and split of lumber.

Small log, diameter 6Small log, diameter 6--9 ins., recovery rate 259 ins., recovery rate 25--35 %, 35 %, which bow and split lumber, wood working remain which bow and split lumber, wood working remain yield 20yield 20--25 % of log.25 % of log.

To decrease wood failure of small log from growth stress.

Balance cuttingBalance cutting

•• The technique of sawing for small log The technique of sawing for small log with balance cutting, sawing right and with balance cutting, sawing right and left distance equal from pith together by left distance equal from pith together by twin band saw to release the stress of log twin band saw to release the stress of log equal opposite side can make lumber be equal opposite side can make lumber be straight, no twist. straight, no twist.

•• Saw types are balance saw, gang saw, or Saw types are balance saw, gang saw, or sash gang sawsash gang saw

Piling•• Piling is important for quality control of Piling is important for quality control of

lumber for no twist, no bow, and no end lumber for no twist, no bow, and no end split. split.

•• Piling is done by pressing the top of pile Piling is done by pressing the top of pile by weight. by weight.

•• To adjust bow lumber both of the end of To adjust bow lumber both of the end of lumber will be supported, then using lumber will be supported, then using gravity force pulls it forwards to make a gravity force pulls it forwards to make a straight lumberstraight lumber

Wood preservationWood preservation•• 1.2.1 Non chemical treatment1.2.1 Non chemical treatment•• --soaking in water, soaking in water, •• --singe,singe,•• --using wood in open air, using wood in open air, •• --employ concrete bed to supportemploy concrete bed to support•• poling of house.poling of house.

•• 1.2.2.1 Non1.2.2.1 Non--pressure treatmentpressure treatment•• 1) Brush or spray treatment1) Brush or spray treatment•• For wood drying, pole and round For wood drying, pole and round

woodwood•• 2) Dipping2) Dipping•• Dry wood is more preferable than Dry wood is more preferable than

green wood. green wood. •• 3) Soaking3) Soaking•• For both green wood and dry wood.For both green wood and dry wood.

Chemical treatmentChemical treatment

Vacuum and pressure treatmentVacuum and pressure treatment

•• Normally, this method is for dry lumber, but Normally, this method is for dry lumber, but RubberwoodRubberwood lumber must be green because of lumber must be green because of easily damage by fungus and insects. easily damage by fungus and insects.

•• First step of the process is using a vacuum at First step of the process is using a vacuum at 500 mm.Hg., 15 min., 500 mm.Hg., 15 min.,

•• then increase the pressure and inject chemical then increase the pressure and inject chemical solution into lumber at 150solution into lumber at 150--170 lb./sq.in., 45170 lb./sq.in., 45--55 55 min. (full cell treatment of min. (full cell treatment of RubberwoodRubberwood 1.5 ins. 1.5 ins. thickness). thickness).

DryingDrying•• 1.3.1 Seasoning or air drying1.3.1 Seasoning or air drying•• for construction e.g. pole, post, and piling of log bfor construction e.g. pole, post, and piling of log before efore

wood chipping.wood chipping.•• For small log, more than 6 ins., diameter, seasoning For small log, more than 6 ins., diameter, seasoning in in

dry season take time 4dry season take time 4--6 months for decrease moisture content 6 months for decrease moisture content into 25into 25--30 %. 30 %.

•• Wood diameter more than 30 cm. should be lumbering Wood diameter more than 30 cm. should be lumbering before seasoning. before seasoning.

•• 1.3.2 Kiln drying1.3.2 Kiln drying•• Kiln drying can be control temperature and relative Kiln drying can be control temperature and relative

humidity for dried wood and rapidity more than seasoning 10humidity for dried wood and rapidity more than seasoning 10--30 times.30 times.

DryingDrying

Wood drying should be used seasoning Wood drying should be used seasoning for decreasingfor decreasingmoisture content in wood lesser than 30 moisture content in wood lesser than 30 % for 1 month,% for 1 month,then drying with kiln drying for 1 month.then drying with kiln drying for 1 month.

Lumber should be control drying at surface, not rapidity Lumber should be control drying at surface, not rapidity dried. dried.

If moisture content in wood and surface of wood are If moisture content in wood and surface of wood are difference moredifference more than 5 %, wood stress due to wood than 5 %, wood stress due to wood failure, e.g. bow,failure, e.g. bow, case hardening, and honeycombing. case hardening, and honeycombing.

DryingDrying•• But some wood failure occurred from natural But some wood failure occurred from natural

property of wood, e.g. grain and age,property of wood, e.g. grain and age,•• that fast growing species such as Eucalyptus and that fast growing species such as Eucalyptus and

SaDuaTiumSaDuaTium, due to stress in wood, emphasize high , due to stress in wood, emphasize high growth stress of young tree. growth stress of young tree.

•• That is easily the end split. That is easily the end split. •• Therefore, the end of lumber should be Therefore, the end of lumber should be printcoatprintcoat

for decreased evaporate moisture from wood. for decreased evaporate moisture from wood. •• In addition to, piling should be used stick at the In addition to, piling should be used stick at the

end of lumber and pressed on the top by weight.end of lumber and pressed on the top by weight.

III. Processing and UtilizationIII. Processing and Utilization

•• 1. Primary processing1. Primary processing•• 1.1 Sawing1.1 Sawing•• 1.2 Wood preservation1.2 Wood preservation

•• 2. Secondary processing2. Secondary processing•• 2.1 Furniture manufacturing2.1 Furniture manufacturing•• 2.2 Wood2.2 Wood--based panels manufacturingbased panels manufacturing•• 2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing•• 2.4 Charcoal production2.4 Charcoal production

FurnitureFurniture

••1) Stable furniture or Furnished furniture1) Stable furniture or Furnished furniture••2) Knock down furniture2) Knock down furniture

••1) Usage skilled labor more than unskilled labor1) Usage skilled labor more than unskilled labor••2) Manufacturing by machine2) Manufacturing by machine••3) Manufacturing by machine more than skilled labor3) Manufacturing by machine more than skilled labor

WoodWood--based panelsbased panels

•• -- Veneer and plywoodVeneer and plywood•• -- Composite boardComposite board•• -- FiberboardFiberboard•• -- ParticleboardParticleboard•• -- Wood cement boardWood cement board

Veneer and plywood

•• The shortage of large log, due to some The shortage of large log, due to some factory changed peeling machine from 8 ft. factory changed peeling machine from 8 ft. to 4 ft. length and slicing machine for the to 4 ft. length and slicing machine for the thinnest veneer, 0.1 mm. thickness. thinnest veneer, 0.1 mm. thickness.

•• Some factory imported log for veneer Some factory imported log for veneer production and reproduction and re--export or overlay on export or overlay on wood products of factory. wood products of factory.

Composite board

•• Flooring (parquet and mosaic parquet) and Flooring (parquet and mosaic parquet) and block board are common technology. block board are common technology.

•• by finger joint technique. by finger joint technique. •• Raw materials are Teak and Eucalyptus from Raw materials are Teak and Eucalyptus from

plantation, rejected wood in flooring production plantation, rejected wood in flooring production 2020--25 % and 5025 % and 50--60 %, respectively.60 %, respectively.

•• ColourColour coating need to production because of coating need to production because of still sapwood (cream still sapwood (cream colourcolour), that difference ), that difference from heartwood (dark from heartwood (dark colourcolour).).

FiberboardFiberboard•• Hardboard and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). Hardboard and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). •• All of Hardboard in Thailand produce with wet All of Hardboard in Thailand produce with wet

process. process. •• Raw materials of Hardboard are Eucalyptus and wood Raw materials of Hardboard are Eucalyptus and wood

from plantation e.g. from plantation e.g. KraTinTaPaKraTinTaPa (Acacia sp.) and also (Acacia sp.) and also BagasseBagasse. .

•• Raw materials of MDF are Raw materials of MDF are RubberwoodRubberwood, Eucalyptus, , Eucalyptus, KraTinTaPaKraTinTaPa, and , and BagasseBagasse (MDF, which (MDF, which BagasseBagasse used used the first factory of the world).the first factory of the world).

ParticleboardParticleboard

•• **Particleboard used as raw material for construction Particleboard used as raw material for construction and furniture production because of decreasing of solid and furniture production because of decreasing of solid wood and logging ban in 1989. Due to particleboard wood and logging ban in 1989. Due to particleboard used increasing in wood working.used increasing in wood working.

•• Extruded pressed processing used only one factory. Extruded pressed processing used only one factory. Another factory used platen pressed processing. Another factory used platen pressed processing.

•• Raw materials are Raw materials are RubberwoodRubberwood, Eucalyptus and , Eucalyptus and BagasseBagasse. 3 layers sheet, 12 and 16 mm. thickness, is . 3 layers sheet, 12 and 16 mm. thickness, is characteristically of particleboard in Thailand. characteristically of particleboard in Thailand.

Wood cement board• Raw material of Wood Wool Cement

Board is SomPhong (Tetrameles nudifloraR.Br.), import from Myanmar, today.

Wood Cement Particleboard produced from Eucalyptus.

Wood Cement Fiberboard, plank for wall house, produced from cement approximately 90 % and recovered paper approximately 10 % with mixed a little asbestos.

Pulp and paper

•• Raw materials ; nonRaw materials ; non--wood (e.g. Straw, wood (e.g. Straw, Bamboo, Bamboo, KenafKenaf and and BagasseBagasse) and wood ) and wood (Eucalyptus). (Eucalyptus).

•• That is short fiber, so Thailand must imported That is short fiber, so Thailand must imported long fiber and also recovered paper.long fiber and also recovered paper.

•• All pulp factories produce with chemical process All pulp factories produce with chemical process except one factory produced pulp with except one factory produced pulp with semichemicalsemichemical process yield approximately 45 %. process yield approximately 45 %.

•• The products are The products are kraftkraft paper 50 % and other paper 50 % and other papers : printingpapers : printing--writing paper, paperboard, writing paper, paperboard, newsprint paper, household and sanitary paper newsprint paper, household and sanitary paper etc.etc.

Charcoal• 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.

• Each year, Thailand has consumption charcoal 3 million kg. Demand of charcoal for export is large scale.

•• Recovery rate of charcoal production is 30Recovery rate of charcoal production is 30--35 % 35 % of wood at oven dry weight. of wood at oven dry weight.

•• Pile of Eucalyptus 1 cu.m. can be produced Pile of Eucalyptus 1 cu.m. can be produced charcoal 120 kg. Heat value of Eucalyptus charcoal 120 kg. Heat value of Eucalyptus charcoal is 7.35 kg.cal/g. charcoal is 7.35 kg.cal/g.

•• The highest heat value is charcoal from The highest heat value is charcoal from KongKangKongKang ((RhizophoraRhizophora sp.), 7.50 kg.cal./g.sp.), 7.50 kg.cal./g.

IV. Markets and Socio-Economics• Wood consumption in Thailand is about 3-4 million cu.m./year. • Imported wood and wood products : (1999)

• 1. Log 0.47 million cu.m. cost $ 80.8 million and sawntimber 1.25 million cu.m. cost $ 169.9 million.• 2. Wood productions : plywood, particleboard, fiberboard, parquet, fuelwood, charcoal, furniture, door,

window, etc total cost $ 28.9 million.• 3. Pulp 438,525 tons of total cost $ 177.5 million.• 4. Paper 365,208 tons of total cost $ 362.8 million.

050

100150200250300350400

Value

Log

Sawtimber

WoodproductsPulp

Paper

$ million.

IV. Markets and Socio-Economics

• The averaged increasing of Thailand’s population is 1.2 % per year. In 1985, Thailand has 53 million populations and increased to 61 million in 1999,

• therefore, the demand in wood and wood products consumption increased every year.

• The country’s capacity to produce and reforest cannot meet the demand so the price of wood and wood products still high.

Sawmills and Wood working factories

BangkokCentral regionNorthern regionNotheastern regionSouthern region

Small factoryMedium factoryLarge factory

Bangkok 38 %

Central region 33 %

Northeastern region 10 %

Southern region 10 %

Northern region 8 %

LOCATION

SIZE OF FACTORY

89 % of these factories are the small factory, 10 % of medium factories and only 1 % of the large factories.

Total 6,911 factories,

6,342 of furniturefactories

Investment and Labors

• The capital investment cost $ 1,085 million, which 176,000 labors were employed.

• 262 of 2,692 furniture factories are the factories which used Rubberwood for furniture production and employ 68,992 labors.

Eucalyptus wood marketing

Table 10 Expense in plantation per rai of Eucalyptus for 5 years of Thailand, 1999

Item Cost (baht)1. Seeding (270 units) 2702. Post planting care (5 years) 2,5003. Fertilizer 3754. Felling (16.65 tons x 75 baht) 1,2495. transportation (16.65 tons x 225 baht) 3,746Total 8,140

Note : 45 baht = $ 1Source : Forest Products R&D Division, 1999

• Eucalyptus aged 5 years gave wood 16.65 tons/rai. • The total capital were 8,140 baht/rai. • The selling price of log was 850 baht/ton, thus, the income was

14,152 baht and the net profit was 6,012 baht, • that the averaged income per year total 1,200 baht/rai.

The price of the thinning teak wood

• from the FIO (Forest Industry Organizaion) • at girth 30-140 cm. and 2-6 m. length will cost

2,100-18,400 baht/cu.m.

Import and export Thailand’s wood products for the wood industry

• 1. Lumber Industry• 2. Furniture Industry• 3. Wood products industry for household• 4. Pulp and paper industry

Lumber Industry

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

In 1999, the imported value cost $ 51.11 million. The important to import lumber are ASEAN (80 %), U.S.A. (12 %), European Union (2 %), and other countries (6 %).

ASEAN (80 %)U.S.A. (12 %)

E.U. (2 %)OTHERS (6 %)

Lumber Industry

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

The exported value was $ 103.23 million, the important country to export were Japan (22 %), ASEAN (15 %), European Union (11 %) and U.S.A. (4 %).

Japan (22 %)

ASEAN (15 %)

E.U. (11 %)U.S.A. (4 %)

Furniture Industry

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

In 1998, the total exported furniture value was $ 434.92 million, 60 % of Rubberwood furniture, 30 % of particleboard and MDF furniture and 10 % of hardwood furniture.

JAPAN (43 %)

U.S.A. (36 %)E.U. (11 %)

OTHERS (8 %)

ASEAN (2 %)

Wood products industry for household

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

The import value in 1989 were $ 34.88 million by import plywood, veneer and other products

ASEAN (52 %)

OTHERS (23 %)E.U. (16 %)

U.S.A. (6 %)

JAPAN (2 %)

Wood products industry for household

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

The export, in 1989, were $ 293.21 million ;

U.S.A. (44 %)E.U. (30 %)

JAPAN (14 %)OTHERS (11 %)

ASEAN (1 %)

The handicraft such as the plates produced from Rubberwood, the decoration : frame, carved wood, which always produced from Mango wood and Teak.The exported were 80 % and used in domestic only 20 %.

Pulp and paper industry

2243

2 14 16 0 8

23 112 11 11 16

30 1812 4

366

44

3

80

15 2

52

127

0

20

40

60

80

ASEAN

E.U.

JAPAN

ASEAN U.S.A E.U. OTHERS JAPAN

80

60

40

20

0

%

The value of thailand’s export pulp, paper, and paper products such as household and sanitary paper were $ 463.58 million,

ASEAN (27 %)

E.U. (18 %)U.S.A. (3 %)

JAPAN (1 %)

Pulp and paper industry

• Thailand have of import pulp especially long fiber from U.S.A., Canada, and Africa total value cost $ 168.95 million

• and also import paperboard, box, kraft paper, printing-writing paper, newsprint paper, and sanitary paper etc.

• In 1988, the total value were $ 35.92 million.

V. Policy and Legislation• 1. Forestry Act• 2. National Forest Policy• 3. Thai Forestry Sector Master Plan• 4. Funding support• 5. The composed cooperatives• 6. Reformation in the Industrial Structure• 7. Tariff measurement

1. Forestry Act

• The Forestry Act 1941 for protect the selection cutting and illegal logging. The mentioned law did not support to the present wood industry development.

• The act improvement is quite difficult and more complex, thus the promulgated the new act is the success way, for example The Forest Plantation Act 1992

2. National Forest Policy• Created in 1983 for the long term in forest

resources management and development were concerned about this issue :

• - government organization, private and community sector

• - wood industry • - reforestation, plantation• - etc

3. Thai Forestry Sector Master Plan

• formulated during 1990-1993 by the technical assistant of the Finland government.

• for solving the problem of the short of wood and strengthen the confidence on the raw materials by the management of forest plantation, community forest and private forest. (within 2010)

4. Funding support • from the Agriculture and Cooperatives

Bank and the Japan Oversea Economic Cooperative Funding (OECF)

• but the rules and conditions is complex • In conclusion, the funding which the

farmer received was only 3,000 baht/raifrom the Farmer Extension for Forest Plantation Project.

5. The composed cooperatives• For the forest plantation farmer to

compose and set the cooperatives in each province.

• The targets of the cooperatives are for log selling and wood industries for producing to support domestic demand and export.

• There are 30 cooperatives, at present (Thailand has 76 provinces).

6. Reformation in the Industrial Structure

• The Ministry of Industry hold a meeting to discuss for the new structure of Thailand industry :

• For the problems and create the strategies on Thailand’s wood products and furniture industry

7. Tariff measurement• The tariff measurement appointed the tax of

exported log and lumber 40 %, and 10 % for the unsuitable wood for wood production.

• The imported wood products can be locally produced is 20 % and 10 % of them which cannot locally produced.

VI. Institutional Capacity• 1. Planning sector

– 1.1 The National Research Council of Thailand – 1.2 The Forestry Research Office

• 2. Operating sector – 2.1 Forest Products R&D Division (FPRD) – 2.2 Kasetsart University (KU)

• 2.2.1 Forest Products Division, Faculty of Forestry• 2.2.2 Pulp/paper and Wood Composites Research Unit

National Research Council of National Research Council of ThailandThailand

•• For the National Research in 4 directions :For the National Research in 4 directions :•• 1)1) self dependence country self dependence country •• 2)2) improvement in productivity and value improvement in productivity and value

added added •• 3)3) improvement in quality of life, social, and improvement in quality of life, social, and

environmentenvironment•• 4) information reception in country ability4) information reception in country ability

Forestry Research Office

•• 3 policy of planning in R&D as follows :3 policy of planning in R&D as follows :•• 1)1) forest conservation and protection planforest conservation and protection plan•• 2)2) forest resource processing and utilization planforest resource processing and utilization plan•• 3)3) sustainable forestry management plansustainable forestry management plan•• Wood utilization program is appointed for the Wood utilization program is appointed for the

purpose of developing new efficient technology for purpose of developing new efficient technology for local wood sp. instead of imported wood. local wood sp. instead of imported wood.

Forest Products R&D Division (FPRD)

•• FPRD is directly responsible to study to FPRD is directly responsible to study to products: products:

•• -- properties of wood, properties of wood, •• -- wood products, wood products, •• -- wood and nonwood and non--wood industry, wood industry, •• -- nonnon--wood utilization, wood utilization, •• -- other materials instead of wood, other materials instead of wood, •• -- energy from wood or residual agriculture.energy from wood or residual agriculture.

Kasetsart University (KU)

•• 2.2.1 Forest Products Division, Faculty of 2.2.1 Forest Products Division, Faculty of ForestryForestry

•• the majority to produce graduate in wood the majority to produce graduate in wood industry for government office and industry for government office and emphasize wood industrial company. emphasize wood industrial company.

•• graduated of wood science and technology. graduated of wood science and technology. And start up in this year for graduated of And start up in this year for graduated of pulp and paper technologypulp and paper technology

Pulp/paper and Wood Composites Research Unit

•• supported by Japan International supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Cooperation Agency (JICA).

•• Study to wood and residual Study to wood and residual agriculture, developing new technology agriculture, developing new technology for pulp and paper, and wood for pulp and paper, and wood composite board. composite board.

Company of wood industry Company of wood industry

•• has R&D unit, only large factory. has R&D unit, only large factory. •• The main target of study for received The main target of study for received

product standard and decrease product standard and decrease production cost. production cost.

•• Some issue they study with FPRD and Some issue they study with FPRD and KU.KU.

VII. Overview and Conclusion• THAILAND

• area 51,311,502 hectares• population 61.7 million. • Forest area 12,972,200

hectares (25.28 %)• to increase forest lands

to 40 % • wood consumption is 0.2

cu.m./year/person or 12.34 million cu.m./year.

• logging ban in 1989, • imported wood and

wood products over than $ 800 million.

VII. Overview and Conclusion

• Wood shortage is still a major problem for related industries.

• At present, there is an attempt to develop • Rubberwood species for timber, • high yield of fiber from Eucalyptus, including

to add more value for wood from plantation to furniture and flooring industries.

• Teak from thinning period is found to be too small and low recovery rate

VII. Overview and Conclusion

• Thailand has a privilege for plantation due to its location.

• Only 4-6 years for fast growing species and 30-40 years for normal trees, harvesting can be done

Model of Wood Utilization• The best way to use a tree is to consider how to efficiently use every part

of the tree such as root, stump, log and branches, which manufacturing process has to be employed. Wood may be dried and preserved to make it strong and last longer time.

• Lapwood can be used for tools, wood products, parquet, woodfuel, charcoal and chipwood. Stumps and branches can be used as woodfueland chipwood, as well, for large scale of industries of wood chemical products, pulp and paper, fiberboard, which made from chipwoodthrough defibration process. Chipwood, also can be dissolved into particle, without defibrator, mixed with resin and cement for particleboard and wood cement board, respectively.

• Timber can be added for highest value by using as veneer or plywood. Core and lapwood from the veneer process can be used as chipwood. Moreover some parts of wood from the process can be raw material for carving as well. Small log can be used as poles for construction.

• As mentioned above, the uses of wood will be efficient and intelligent if there are industries to support or so called “Integrated Wood Industries”.

Model of Wood Utilization

Log

Branches

Stump/Root

Sawmill

Peeling/Slicing

Lumber

Drying

Preservation

Furniture

Constructed lumber

Household utensils

Lapwood Flooring/Parquet

Fuelwood

ChipperChipwood

Carved wood

Veneer

PlywoodCore/Veneer residue

Particleboard

Cement-bonded Particleboard

Defibrator Pulp & Paper

Fiberboard

Wood Chemical

Wood-wool CementboardPole/Post

VII. Overview and Conclusion

• Due to economic crisis in Thailand, last 5 years there was decreasing of wood and wood products.

• On the other hand export of such was increasing.

• This may be results from industrial and economic reform.

VII. Overview and Conclusion

• At present, • there is a concept to encourage local people to

live on their feet. • The attitudes of using local products or their

household products are arising. • The government has also launched a campaign

namely “One village, one product” to promote indigenous knowledge to create their own specific product.

VII. Overview and Conclusion

• For International Role on wood industry, • Thailand has joined the Commission on Sustainable

Development (CSD) to pursue sustainable wood industries and make an agreement done on February 1997 in New York,

• following the proposal of Open-ended adhocIntergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) to conduct sustainable forest management for wood industry in all aspect;

• business, environment, products and services from the forest.

THANK YOU

FROM

THAILAND

The Further Processing of Tropical Timber in THAILAND*

Somchai Benjachaya**

I. Introduction

In the past, the people wasted forest resources profusely without aware of any

environmental effect. But at present, the world was roused to aware of this matter, especially the effect from forest resources destruction. Forests is a place for tourism and recreation, genetic bank of bio-resources and water absorption, for the direct profit it provide wood and non-wood products. However, the trend of world wood consumption will be grow higher in this century. The better understanding in environmental and forest resources especially the property of wood such as renewable, reuseable, recycleable, decomposable, less energy consumption and carbon sink.

From Agenda 21 of the UN earth summit in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil agreed that

every country has to conserve the natural forests together with expand the economic forest areas. Particularly, the tropical countries, because the tropical forest take the important role in carbon sequenstering to reduce global warming.

Thailand is the tropical country, situated in the southeast asia monsoon zone which its

forests rich of natural diversity : Tropical mountain evergreen forest, Coniferous forest, Mixed deciduous forest, and Dry dipterocarp forest in the northern and northeastern region, Mixed deciduous forest in the central region, Mangrove forest in the coastal area and Tropical moist evergreen forest, Mangrove forest and Swamp forest in the southern region. (Figure 1, Table 1)

Since the last century, Thailand had the forest areas covered half of the country area.

Thailand was one of the world wood export country, the well known wood was “Siam Teak” (Tectona grandis Linn.) or “Golden Teak” in present name. When the decreasing of forests areas affected to the environmental, The government promulgated a total ban on logging over the country in 1989. Thus, Thailand have to import wood and wood products in a large quantity, continually. In 1999 Thailand’s total import quantity of log, sawntimber, wood products, pulp and paper was approximately $ 800 million which decreased from the early time after revoked the lease timber which higher than $ 1,300 million. These products was exported for approximately $ 1,300 million which higher than in the year 1995 two times. (Table 2, 3) (Data Center Division, 1999)

The government of Thailand attempt to rehabilitate the forest resources. The National

Forest Policy determined that Thailand will be covered by 40 % of total land area 51,311,502 hectares, but the present forest area is only 25.28 % remaining, thus have to reforest for 14.72 % or 7,553,053 hectares. (Table 4)

For the last 10 years, after the strong promotion, Rubberwood became the important

raw materials instead of wood from natural forest. The first objective for Rubberwood planting is for latex but it will be cut down when giving a few latex quantity. Each year a large number of Rubberwood was cut. The Rubberwood is easily damaged by insects and fungus but the wood industry researcher succeeded in wood preservation and apply the

* Workshop on Further Processing of Tropical Timber in the Asia-Pacific Region, International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Seoul, Korea, 28 August – 1 September 2001. ** Technical Forest Officer Forest Products R & D Division, Forest Research Office, Royal Forest Department. 61 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 THAILAND, e-mail : benjachaya@hotmail.com

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research to use in the wood industry, especially in furniture manufacturing. Because of the colour of Rubberwood is white and continually exported from Thailand, the world market called it “White Teak”.

In Thailand, Eucalyptus sp. which imported from Australia is one of the important

wood which used in pulp and paper industry. Eucalyptus is the fast growing tree which can grow in every soil condition and climate in Thailand. Eucalyptus at the age of 3 years old can give pulp for produce paper. However, the other kind of wood from plantation can be used in wood industry, particularly Teak will be the important raw materials again in the near future.

The technology of Thailand’s wood industry is equal as the world wood industry.

Because its own nearly every kind of wood industry and rich of the diversity and quantity of raw materials. Since the investment promoted in the past, Thailand can produce and export the wood products to the world market for a large quantity. II. Forest Resources

The important source of wood utilization in Thailand divided in 3 sources as follows : 1. Natural forest

In the past, Thailand exported logs from the natural forest, after the decreasing of forest areas, the government feel anxious in environment, therefore used the measure to ban on logging and enhanced timber import and use the tariff measurement to slow the timber export since 1977. For the event of floods and a landslide in the southern of Thailand that claimed hundreds of lives in late 1988, prompted the government to introduce a complete ban on logging in 1989. (except the mangrove concession which used Rhizophora sp. for charcoal production). It is the cause that nearly all wood from every sources of country cannot be export or use domestically which a timber lease investor accused the damaged cost from the government, the wood industry investor have to import wood from aboard. At the beginning, imported wood from the neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia and from other countries in Africa and South America.

2. Rubberwood plantation

Thailand has an area of Rubberwood plantation for the second ranking of the world from Indonesia (Indonesia has 2.4 million hectares, Thailand 1.9 million hectares, and Malaysia 1.6 million hectares). The proposed of Rubberwood planting is for latex. (Thailand export latex 2 million tons/year, the world’s first ranking) planting in the southern 85 %, the country’s east coast 13 %, and the northeastern 2 %. At present, the government promote to plant more Rubberwood in the northeastern.

The Rubberwood will give standard latex only for 25 years and have to be cutting

for replanting. Thus, the government supported by setting the Rubberwood Replanting Aid Fund which pay for 6,800 baht/rai* ($ 944.44 per hectare) for replanting. In each year the target to cut down is 36,800 hectares which gave wood 140 cu.m./hectare, but the total to be used 70 % and appropriated for furniture production only 33.5 %, 12 % for pole, and 53 % is the lapwood and woodfuel. (Forest Research Office, 1998)

The industry use the Rubberwood to produce furniture, toys, particleboard,

medium density fiberboard (MDF), parquet, frame, and kitchenware as to produce pole, spool of electric or telephone wire, crated fish, fuelwood and charcoal. The furniture industry used * 45 baht = $ 1, 6.25 rai = 1 hectare

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Rubberwood as raw materials for 65 %, 16 particleboard factories of 19 factories and 4 MDF factories of 6 factories used Rubberwood as raw materials. (Table 5, 6) (Oonjittichai, 1995, 1998)

3. Forest Plantation

3.1 Eucalyptus

3.1.1 Eucalyptus from the government project

The government proceeded the forest plantation for wood industry after the promulgated of Forest Plantation Act 1992. Eucalyptus plantation was started in the project to adjust the structure of farmer’s production for the farmer to plant fast growing tree for example Eucalyptus, KraTinTaPa (Acacia sp.), etc instead of 4 economic crops : Rice, Cassava, Coffee, and Pepper (which always faced the lower price problem and pest infected). The government provide seedling, and chemical fertilizer 20 kg./rai (125 kg./hectare). The planting achieved the target of 108,800 hectares during 1994-1996 but when faced the problem on Eucalyptus combating that it will destroy the ecosystem, thus from this mentioned matter, the procedure was stopped. But Eucalyptus was enhanced to plant, nevertheless, not more than half of the Economic Forest Plantation Extension Project area.

3.1.2 Eucalyptus by the private sector’s industry

The wood industry investor especially in producing pulp and paper know about the raw materials, which can control by himself. There are two groups in Thailand : first, the Kaset Rungrueng Perchpol Group which hold business in crops trading such as Rice, Cassava, and Corn, compose with 2 branches : Agro Line Co.,Ltd. for Eucalyptus planting of 32,000 hectares and promote to sell seedling to the farmer of 48,000 hectares, explain the maintain way and buy back for Advance Agro Public Co.,Ltd. to produce pulp and paper about 3 million tons/year.

The second investor is the Siam Cement Group by the Siam Forestry

Co.,Ltd. that it has the farmers who is the member for 25,600 hectares and non-member in 150 km. around the company for 40,000 hectares. The members will receive the seedling from tissue culture and grafting, which the company guarantee to buy back. The wood’s price depends on the diameter; 2-4 ins. cost $ 16.7 per ton, wider than 4 ins. cost $ 18.9 per ton and less than 2 ins. cost $ 12.2 per ton. At present, the Siam Cellulose Co.,Ltd. use them for pulp and paper production.

3.2 Teak

As mentioned above that the government proceed the forest plantation for wood industry after promulgated the Forest Plantation Act 1992. The Royal Forest Department (RFD) hold a project of the Farmer Extension for Forest Plantation for 5 years (1994-1998). By the next phase, the name was change to the Economic Forest Plantation Extension Project (1999-2005), 12 years. The extension target is 1.28 million hectares, but until now (2000) the planted areas was successfully reforested only 0.37 million hectares. Teak is popular for planting for 88,000 hectares during 1994-1996.

The government support this project by providing fund 3,000 baht/rai ($

1,875 per hectare) and divide to pay for 5 years : 800, 700, 600, 500, and 400 baht each year. This project emphasized to plant Thai’s indigenious economic forest tree species. Eucalyptus did not be planted at the first time because of the combat on this tree specie that will destroy the environment, but Eucalyptus was enhanced to plant half of the area in the second phase.

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In conclusion, the source of wood in the past was from the natural forests but at present time most of the natural forest is reserved for environment conservation. Thus, the recent sources of wood are from the imported wood, Rubberwood and wood from plantation. The wood from plantation is the thinning wood aged 5-7 years, it was the small wood with 3-6 ins., diameter, which has more sapwood than heartwood with low strength. And the further limited utilization were easily damage by fungus and insects, the twist lumber, collapse, and split end. These problems can be solved by extend the cutting time, until the aged of 15 years. Except Eucalyptus for pulp and paper production that can be used at the aged of 3 years. However, it still has a problem for furniture production. III. Processing and Utilization

Technologies for wood processing and utilization in Thailand can be divided in 2

levels: 1. Primary processing

1.1 Sawing The ripping with two men frame saw is usually common practice for local

people. Ripping can be done both vertical line and horizontal line. Until now the rural people still using this kind of sawing. Then chain saw for headsaw or lumber (lumber of coconut favourably used with chain saw) is introduced. The lumbering with circular saw is mostly done after headsawing. People make a table for placing circular saw by themselves. Sometimes rotor of plow machine is used for running circular saw.

At present, mostly of small and large sawmills was permitted from government

have been closed because of logging ban. However it is found that 514 of sawmills and 45 of sawn timber by man power are still active. (Table 7) (Data Center Division, 1999)

Technology of sawing in the past solid wood loss into sawdust during using

circular saw 50-60 %. To solve this problem many sawmills have replaced circular saw by band saw. At present, only the large log was imported to saw. Small log of Rubberwood and wood from government extension plantation play important role in sawing which have the different qualification from the wood of natural forest such as growth stress of small wood due to twist and split of lumber. Therefore, technology of sawing should be develop for the quantity and quality of lumbering.

In Thailand the small log from plantation being used, has diameter of 4-10 ins.

(Table 8) 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,

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drilling some hole from bark to pith of log, grooping along of log from bark into pith. That process techniques are successful only for some. The result of girdled experiment was the decreasing of 10 % of twist and 19 % of the split end.

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 straight lumber.

1.2 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 :

1.2.1 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.

1.2.2 Chemical treatment

1.2.2.1 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.

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3) Soaking

For both green wood and dry wood, but dry wood property is better than green wood. This method can be used in both round wood and lumber. Round wood should be debarked. Wood soaking must be done under level of chemical solution all the time for ½-3 days, depending upon wood species, then seasoning not less than 7 days. Type of chemical is water borne preservation. Tank of soaking can be made from a long line split half of 200 litres of gasoline tank with connected end, that looks like a half cylinder tank, or dig into ground and supported by plastic sheet to prevent percolation of chemical solution.

1.2.2.2 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 Rubberwood 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 Rubberwood 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.

1.3 Drying 1.3.1 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.

1.3.2 Kiln drying

Kiln drying can be control temperature and relative humidity for dried wood and rapidity more than seasoning 10-30 times.

Wood drying should be used two upper methods, seasoning for decreasing moisture content in wood lesser than 30 % by air circulated from a fan in the hall (The hall has 3 wall, that a fan on wall only one side). This is predrying for 1 month, then drying with kiln drying for 1 month.

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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. Secondary processing

2.1 Furniture manufacturing

Furniture factory in Thailand has 6,352 factories. The Majority of products are group of sofa, table, chair, and shelf etc. Both of natural and artificial colour are produce. Furniture can be divided into 2 characters as follows :

1) Stable furniture or Furnished furniture Almost of stable furniture produce for domestic consumption.

2) Knock down furniture Almost of knock down furniture produce for export.

Almost of manufacturing furniture is common produce by skilled labor more

than unskilled labor. Even though large factories make for exported furniture by machine (imported machine) but skilled labor still important for produce together. Therefore, furniture manufacturing can be divided into 3 productions as followings :

1) Usage skilled labor more than unskilled labor This production must done by skilled labor for difference or same style of

furniture e.g. Thai style and Louis style, but difference of design, carving, jointing, and grain pattern etc. Thus, processing depend on capability of each factory. But the same is quality of wood, suitable moisture content from drying for stability of furniture.

2) Manufacturing by machine To produce mass products with the same standard for export.

3) Manufacturing by machine more than skilled labor All of products are make by machine, without skilled labor finishing,

except sanding and coating. It is only produced by factory design. This manufacturing is produce mass products

2.2 Wood-based panels manufacturing

2.2.1 Veneer and plywood manufacturing

Manufacturing of plywood was started up in 1957 (Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd., established by the Forest Industry Organization, FIO). Exported veneer was started up production in 1971 (Thaichipboard Co.,Ltd.). Nowadays, number of veneer and plywood factories have 14 and 21, respectively. The majority of plywood factories produce veneer by themselves. Technology of processing of veneer and plywood in Thailand is normally of import machine from foreign. Today, the shortage of large log, due to some factory changed peeling machine from 8 ft. to 4 ft. length and slicing machine for the thinnest veneer, 0.1 mm. thickness.

Manufacturing of veneer and plywood in Thailand face rare of wood

raw material, high of cost, that effective to reduce production. Some factory imported log for veneer production and re-export or overlay on wood products of factory.

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However, plywood are difference quality, that high quality for exterior, standard for interior and low quality for non-permanent e.g. advertising board. Only one company (Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd.) asked for plywood standard from the Industry Standard Office of Thailand.

2.2.2 Composite board manufacturing

Raw material of composite board in Thailand produce from import log, plantation and lapwood from logging or sawmill. Flooring (parquet and mosaic parquet) and block board are common technology.

At present, the manufacturing of flooring produce by finger joint

technique. Raw materials are Rubberwood and wood from plantation. Diameter of wood should be more than 6 ins. Wood from plantation are Teak and Eucalyptus, rejected wood in flooring production 20-25 % and 50-60 %, respectively. Colour coating need to production because of still sapwood (cream colour), that difference from heartwood (dark colour).

2.2.3 Fiberboard manufacturing

Manufacturing of fiberboard in Thailand has two types : Hardboard and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). All of Hardboard in Thailand produce with wet process. Raw materials are Eucalyptus and wood from plantation e.g. KraTinTaPa (Acacia sp.) and also Bagasse. Raw materials of MDF are Rubberwood, Eucalyptus, KraTinTaPa, and Bagasse (MDF, which Bagasse used the first factory of the world). (Table 9)

2.2.4 Particleboard manufacturing

Manufacturing of Particleboard in Thailand was started up in 1958. But particleboard came to popular when established another large factory in 1986. Particleboard used as raw material for construction and furniture production because of decreasing of solid wood and logging ban in 1989. Due to particleboard used increasing in wood working.

Nowadays, particleboard has 19 factories, total capacity 1,423,900

cu.m./year. Extruded pressed processing used only one factory (Thaichipboard Co.,Ltd.). Another factory used platen pressed processing. Raw materials are Rubberwood, Eucalyptus and Bagasse. 3 layers sheet, 12 and 16 mm. thickness, is characteristically of particleboard in Thailand. (Table 5) (Oonjittichai, 1998)

2.2.5 Wood cement board manufacturing

Manufacturing of Wood Wool Cement Board in Thailand was started up in 1956. Raw material is SomPhong (Tetrameles nudiflora R.Br.), import from Myanmar, today. The capacity of this factory is 1,000 tons/year. Then, in 1989, Wood Cement Particleboard produced from Eucalyptus. In 2000, Wood Cement Fiberboard, plank for wall house, produced from cement approximately 90 % and recovered paper approximately 10 % with mixed a little asbestos.

2.3 Pulp and paper manufacturing Manufacturing of pulp in Thailand produce from non-wood (e.g. Straw,

Bamboo, Kenaf and Bagasse) and wood, hardwood, such as Eucalyptus. That is short fiber, so Thailand must imported long fiber also recovered paper.

Technology of pulp and paper processing depend on imported machine. But

there are developing other raw material for using in pulp production. In Thailand, wood material is only Eucalyptus. All pulp factories produce with chemical process except one factory produced pulp with semichemical process (Siam Cellulose Co.,Ltd.), yield approximately 45 %.

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In 1996, manufacturing pulp has 6 factories. Total capacity of short fiber is

626,000 tons. Manufacturing paper has 46 factories, total capacity of 2,842,000 tons. The products are kraft paper 50 % and other papers : printing-writing paper, paperboard, newsprint paper, household and sanitary paper etc.

2.4 Charcoal production

Charcoal in Thailand produced for household by local people. It’s produce with soil or rice husk mound and mud beehive. Commercial charcoal produce 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.

Each year, Thailand has consumption charcoal 3 million kg. Demand of

charcoal for export is large scale. Recovery rate of charcoal production is 30-35 % of wood at oven dry weight. Pile of Eucalyptus 1 cu.m. can be produced charcoal 120 kg. Heat value of Eucalyptus charcoal is 7.35 kg.cal/g. The highest heat value is charcoal from KongKang (Rhizophora sp.), 7.50 kg.cal./g. IV. Markets and Socio-Economics

The important informations on the marketing and socio-economics of Thailand‘s

wood industry are as follows : At present, the need in wood consumption in Thailand is about 3-4 million

cu.m./year. However, in 1999 the quantity of 50,200 cu.m. of domestic production is not meet the demand, therefore it have to import as follows : (Table 2) (Data Center Division, 1999)

1. Log and sawntimber : log 0.47 million cu.m. cost $ 80.8 million and sawntimber 1.25 million cu.m. cost $ 169.9 million, total imported quantity 1.72 million cu.m. and total cost $ 250.7 million.

2. Wood productions : plywood, particleboard, fiberboard, parquet, fuelwood, charcoal, furniture, door, window, etc total cost $ 28.9 million.

3. Pulp 438,525 tons of total cost $ 177.5 million. 4. Paper 365,208 tons of total cost $ 362.8 million.

The averaged increasing of Thailand’s population is 1.2 % per year. In 1985,

Thailand has 53 million populations and increased to 61 million in 1999, therefore, the demand in wood and wood products consumption increased every year. The country’s capacity to produce and reforest cannot meet the demand so the price of wood and wood products still high.

The distribution of factories settlement and labors ; the factory which used wood as

raw materials are the sawmills and the wood working factories, total 6,911 factories. 6,342 of furniture factories situated in Bangkok 38 %, central region 33 %, northern region 8 % northeastern region 10 % and southern region 10 %. 89 % of these factories are the small factory, 10 % of medium factories and only 1 % of the large factories. The capital investment cost $ 1,085 million, which 176,000 labors were employed. 262 of 2,692 furniture factories are the factories which used Rubberwood for furniture production and employ 68,992 labors. (Service Extension Division, 2000)

The proportion of the capital in furniture and wood products industry composed with

wood, raw materials, cost 45 %, labor cost 30 %, other raw materials cost 15 %, and others expense cost 10 %.

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Eucalyptus wood marketing ; from the research found that Eucalyptus aged 5 years gave wood 16.65 tons/rai. The total capital which included seedling, maintenance, the fertilizer, felling, and transportation were 8,140 baht/rai. The selling price of log was 850 baht/ton, thus, the income was 14,152 baht and the net profit was 6,012 baht, that the averaged income per year total 1,200 baht/rai. (Table 10)

The branches from Eucalyptus plantation can be produced charcoal. The cost in

charcoal producing was 150 baht/cu.m. 1 cu.m.. of fuelwood can be produced 3 sacks of charcoal which cost 100 baht/sack. The fuelwood which cannot be produced the charcoal will be cut for 50 cm. length and sell as a bunch of fuelwood, each bunch contained 10-20 pieces of fuelwood cost 5 baht. (Table 11)

The price of Eucalyptus for pole/post, fiberboard, pulp, and chipwood for export, 2-4

ins. diameter cost 550-1,000 baht/ton and 6-9 ins. diameter cost 1,000-1,400 baht/ton. (Table 12)

The price of Eucalyptus and SonPraDiPat (Casuaria junghuhniana Miq.) pole at the

diameter and length of 3″ x 3 m., 4″ x 4 m., 5″ x 5 m., and 6″ x 6 m. cost are 15, 40, 80, and 150 baht, respectively.

The price of the thinning teak wood from the FIO at girth 30-140 cm. and 2-6 m.

length will cost 2,100-18,400 baht/cu.m. (Table 13) To import and export Thailand’s wood products for the wood industry can be divided

as follows : (Export Service Division, 2000) (Table 14, 15, 16) 1. Lumber industry

Since the government promulgated to ban on logging in 1989, 682 sawmills have to import logs, especially Teak from the neighbouring countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. In 1999, the imported value cost $ 51.11 million. The lumber of Rubberwood, Dipterocarpus sp., Pterocarpus sp., and Coniferous sp. which were imported from Malaysia in lumber more than logs. Moreover, Oak, Cherry, and Pine were imported from the United State of America (U.S.A.), some of these wood imported for used in furniture production and construction.

In 1998, the imported value was $ 162.42 million which decreased because of the

important imported sources of wood such as Myanmar has the policy to ban on logging, and Malaysia use nearly all the lumber in their furniture production so they didn’t have any quantity to export. Nevertheless, Thailand still imported a few quantity of Cork, fuelwood, and charcoal. The important to import lumber are ASEAN (80 %), U.S.A. (12 %), European Union (2 %), and other countries (6 %).

Lumber and wood panel products exported was increased in 1997, the exported

value was $ 103.23, the important country to export were Japan (22 %), ASEAN (15 %), and U.S.A. (4 %).

Most of the exported lumber were veneer from Rubberwood, particleboard, MDF

(the government forbid to export thickness teak lumber) and the parts of furniture both finished furniture and furniture parts such as table leg and chair leg, which produced from Rubberwood and skirtings which produced from Teak and Pterocarpus sp.

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2. Furniture industry Thailand‘s furniture production start from the household crafting, which use Teak

and other wood. After banned on logging in 1989 some producer use Rubberwood for furniture production and changed the design from the finished furniture to knock down furniture. At present, 1,720 producers produced furniture from hardwood 15 %, most of them produced for domestic market, the furniture’s styles were built in furniture, and free standing, 65 % produced from Rubberwood, and 15 % produced from plywood, Bamboo and Rattan. Rubberwood furniture was developed the design and production technology with the reasonable price in white color, which always called “White Teak”.

In 1998, the total exported furniture value was $ 434.92 million, 60 % of

Rubberwood furniture, 30 % of particleboard and MDF furniture and 10 % of hardwood furniture. The exported countries were Japan (43 %), U.S.A. (36 %), European Union (11 %), ASEAN (2 %) and other countries (8 %).

3. Wood products industry for household

Most of the products for household were the handicraft such as the plates produced from Rubberwood, the decoration : frame, carved wood, which always produced from Mango wood and Teak.

The exported of wood products for household were 80 % and used in domestic

only 20 %. This industry faced the short of wood and the decreasing in export, thus, the producer developed the product design and quality by decorated the furniture with metal, resin, and plastic, which China and Malaysia, the important furniture competitor, still do not develop their furniture’s design to complete against Thailand in the world market.

The exported wood products for household in 1989 were $ 293.21 million, the

important export countries ; U.S.A. (44 %), European Union (30 %), Japan (14 %), ASEAN (1 %) and other countries (11 %).

The import value in 1989 were $ 34.88 million by import plywood, veneer and

other products from ASEAN (52 %), (especially Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, and Myanmar), European Union (16 %), U.S.A. (6 %), Japan (2 %) and other countries (23 %).

4. Pulp and paper industry

Thailand has 6 pulp producers which the total production capacity was 626,000 tons/year by using domestic raw materials : Staw, Bagasse, Kenaf, Bamboo, and Eucalyptus. At present, the produced paper were kraft paper, printing-writing paper, paperboard, and newsprint paper, which will be mixed with the imported long fiber and recovered paper.

Recently, the over capacity in producing is in the high quantity because of the

economic slowdown, thus, the demand on pulp and paper in the industry sector was decreased. Because of the cost in production still high, the tax for the important raw materials such as pulp, chemical, the machine’s spare parts, still high, the government decreased the imported tax for paper import only.

Nevertheless, the trend to export is getting better since 1996 that the value of

export decreased because of the slowdown of the world market. In 1998, the value of thailand’s export pulp, paper, and paper products such as household and sanitary paper were $ 463.58 million, the important market are ASEAN (27 %), European Union (18 %), U.S.A. (3 %) and Japan (1 %).

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The capacity in pulp production in Thailand cannot meet the demand, thus, Thailand have of import pulp especially long fiber from U.S.A., Canada, and Africa total value cost $ 168.95 million and also import paperboard, box, kraft paper, printing-writing paper, newsprint paper, and sanitary paper etc. In 1988, the total value were $ 35.92 million. V. Policy and Legislation

Policy and legislation concern with processing and utilization of wood in Thailand are

as followings : 1. Forestry Act

The affected of forest act to Thailand’s wood industry have to consider from the past that the government had promulgated the act to protect the selection cutting and illegal logging. The mentioned law did not support to the present wood industry development such as the settlement of sawmill, which will spend 6 months or 1 year for the permission from the RFD and the Department of Factory. Moreover, permit to saw the timber in the day time only, and the gate will be opened while working, the limitation time on the permit of transmitted and product license which cannot finish the customs procedure on time, and the lumber accounts will be updated everyday.

The Forest Act 1941 still promulgated the addition act, which grew the complex

for industrials practiced. This law never be improved for 60 years. Because of the act improvement is quite difficult and more complex, thus the promulgated the new act is the success way. The Forest Plantation Act 1992 promoted the forest plantation and protected the investor’s right. But some parts still grew the complex problem to the farmer such as the demotion on planting the foreign fast growing tree species, the wood labeling, the settlement of sawmill, and forbid chain saw using in cutting.

2. National Forest Policy

The National Forest Policy was created in 1983 for the long term in forest resources management and development. The approach for the government organization and private sector to proceed together. The policy enhanced the wood industry to develop the forest by promoting the government organization and private sector to reforest for domestic consumption, the industrial benefit, export, enhanced the community forest plantation, reforest in the state land, in the farm, or reforest for the household purposed. Moreover, enhanced the settlement of the integrated wood industries and the pulp mill for the wood residue utilization, and to use other materials instead of wood.

3. Thai Forestry Sector Master Plan

Thai Forestry Sector Master Plan was formulated during 1990-1993 by the technical assistant of the Finland government. The plan indicated the approach in promoting the rural industry, non-wood products industry and reforestation the sources of wood within 2010. The strategic emphasized the industry to promote the wood industry for solving the problem of the short of wood and strengthen the confidence on the raw materials by the management of forest plantation, community forest and private forest.

4. Funding support

The policy for the funding support to the forest plantation by loaned from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Bank but the rules and conditions is complex and the fund from the Japan Oversea Economic Cooperative Funding (OECF). In conclusion, the funding which the farmer received was the forest plantation support funding 3,000 baht/rai from the Farmer Extension for Forest Plantation Project.

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The National Rubberwood Policy Committee take responsibility on Rubberwood plantation by support the Rubberwood industry and promoted the capability on using the Rubberwood products for domestic consumption and export. The obstacle of law or any rule have to be improved and enhanced the one stop service for asking for permission to the factory settlement and exported Rubberwood. To indicate the target on gene improvement for the quantity not less than 55 cu.m./rai (22 cu.m./rai, at present). The Rubberwood Replanting Aid Fund supported fund 6,800 baht/rai for replanted the new Rubberwood species.

5. The composed cooperatives

The government support the forest plantation farmer to compose and set the cooperatives in each province. There are 30 cooperatives, at present (Thailand has 76 provinces). The targets of the cooperatives are for log selling and wood industries for producing to support domestic demand and export. 7 cooperatives set the sawmill and produce wood working which in the near future the wood products from the cooperatives will play the important role in domestic and aboard.

The wood industry investors set the Thailand Develop the Economic Forest

Plantation and Wood Industry Society which composed with the Private Forest Plantation Cooperatives, the Wood Dealer Society, the Sawmill Society, the Thai Furniture Society, the Forestry Faculty Alumni Society, the state enterprises (FIO and Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd.), and other private companies. One of the target of this cooperatives is to solve the problem and any obstacle on the forestry business.

6. Reformation in the Industrial Structure

The investor faced the problem on the mentioned forest law and the export competition. Then the Ministry of Industry hold a meeting to discuss for the new structure as follows :

The problem on Thailand’s wood products and furniture industry 1. The improper rule and practiced on the wood from natural forest, wood from

the plantation and imported wood of the responsible office did not support the industry and need to modified.

2. Development the marketing by contact with the imported country still weak. 3. The lower quality production, which wasted the raw material made the higher

cost per unit and lost the chance in having advantage over the competition chance. 4. Lack of new technique in machine maintenance for the proper benefit. 5. Lack of the product development. 6. Lack of the employee quality, especially the product designer for the export

market. 7. Lack of the continually industry to support the product Line such as fitting,

packaging, thus, the producer have to expand the production Line which will be the charge of investment.

8. The hardwood for furniture production and construction have to be imported that increased the cost and decreased the competition ability.

From that brain storm, they considered the weak and strong points of Thailand’s

wood industry and create the strategies for the following vision : 1. Thailand is going to be one of the important of the world export furniture and

wood products, the export value increased 3 times of the stable value in 1997. 2. The quality control of processing of wood industry and wood products in

Thailand, that is acceptable by the world standard (50 % of the factory will be ISO 9000 certified)

3. The brand name of Thailand’s products is acceptable in worldwide market.

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4. There will be the strong and specialize support and integrated industries. 5. Wood furniture industry and wood products of Thailand express good image in

forestry consumption and green industry such as using the ISO 14000 standard. 6. Reforested for the raw materials and the forest management system for

replacing the imported wood for construction and the imported wood management to meet the demand on raw materials of the lumber industry in the future.

7. Thailand will be appointed the wood products and furniture design center of Asia.

7. Tariff measurement

The tariff measurement appointed the tax of exported log and lumber 40 %, and 10 % for the unsuitable wood for wood production. The imported wood products can be locally produced is 20 % and 10 % of them which cannot locally produced.

VI. Institutional Capacity

Research in wood processing and utilization of Thailand forestry was started, when

Non-wood Research Division (Forest Products R&D Division, at present) established in 1935. Then, Forestry school (high school level in Phrae province) was established in 1936 (closed in 1993). Afterwards, Kasetsart University (in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand) the academy of forestry and agriculture was established in 1943, then R&D in wood utilization was increased and more important. In 1996, Kasetsart University set up the Pulp/paper and Wood Composites Research Unit to study the specification of wood products.

Nowadays, there are several offices manage R&D in wood utilization can be divided

into 2 sectors such as Planning and Operating sector. 1. Planning sector

1.1 The National Research Committee Office set up the policy for government

officer research in 4 directions : 1) Direction of research for self dependence country 2) Direction of research for improvement in productivity and value added 3) Direction of research for improvement in quality of life, social, and

environment 4) Direction of research for information reception in country ability There are many programs and plans in each direction to be set strategies and

adjust in wood processing and utilization research for the purpose as followings : 1) Integrated production of wood. 2) Maintain business in wood products for Thai life style. 3) Create new ideas in wood products and change the status from consumer

to producer. 4) Improve local technology by applying technology from abroad to serve

social need. 5) Develop wood production machine. 6) Develop wood engineering and wood industry. 7) Increase productivity and value added for export in wood products. 8) Increase high efficiency in production process and decrease loss in wood

production. 9) Create international design in wood products and packages. 10) Develop utilization of local wood. 11) Achieve information in cost of material support in wood production. 12) Consume wood material, which is rare with the highest utility.

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13) Produce wood product from local industry. 14) Achieve suitable method and process to control pollution from wood

products or wood industry. 15) Achieve the effects from wood technology and wood products usage to

health, life style, and environment. 16) Develop potential in wood production to serve market demand of local

and export. 17) Develop wood production for value added. 18) Achieve wood science and technology information to compare with the

international information. 19) Develop the ability of management in wood production by local

technology. 20) Develop the ability in technology transfered from abroad and develop

imported technology of wood production. 1.2 The Forestry Research Office set up 3 policy of planning in R&D as follows :

1) Study to R&D for forest conservation and protection plan 2) Study to R&D of forest resource processing and utilization plan 3) Study to R&D of sustainable forestry management plan Wood utilization program is appointed for the purpose of developing new

efficient technology for local wood sp. instead of imported wood.

2. Operating sector 2.1 Forest Products R&D Division (FPRD) is directly responsible to study to

products : properties of wood, wood products, wood and non-wood industry, non-wood utilization, other materials instead of wood, energy from wood or residual agriculture. Professional staff of FPRD includes 38 of graduates, 22 of master degrees, 3 of Ph.D. and 140 of permanent employees are total 203 persons.

At present, direction in study to supported small wood utilization from

plantation and residual agriculture to add raw material of wood industry. In addition to, FPRD study with wood industrial company.

2.2 Kasetsart University (KU) study to wood utilization in 2 units are as followings :

2.2.1 Forest Products Division, Faculty of Forestry, the majority to produce

graduate in wood industry for government office and emphasize wood industrial company. Professional staff of organization includes 3 of graduates, 7 of master degrees, 2 of Ph.D. are total 12 lecturers.

Each year, 25 student are graduated of wood science and technology. In

this year, Forest Products Division design pulp and paper technology branch for produce 25 graduates per year.

Beside, this organization study to design, test properties of finished

furniture from industry, bamboo panel, and defiber by steam explosion for fiberboard processing, properties of wood raw material and processing for pulp and paper industry etc.

2.2.2 Pulp/paper and Wood Composites Research Unit was established in

1996, supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Study to wood and residual agriculture, developing new technology for pulp and paper, and wood composite

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board. That study with lecturer, student, and government or company wood products researcher for supported small and local wood industries.

2.3 Company of wood industry has R&D unit, only large factory. The main target

of study for received product standard and decrease production cost. Some issue they study with FPRD and KU.

VII. Overview and Conclusion

Thailand covers a land area of 51,311,502 hectares with a population of

approximately 61.7 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 parts 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.

Thailand wood consumption is 0.2 cu.m./year/person or 12.34 million cu.m./year.

After logging ban in 1989, wood consumption such as log, sawntimber, wood products, pulp and paper, which usually employed national product need to be imported over than $ 800 million. (1999)

Rubberwood is cutting from plantation for 5 million cu.m./year. This wood is used for

furniture and wood based panels industries. Eucalyptus plantations, 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.

However, wood shortage is still a major problem for related industries. At present,

there is an attempt to develop Rubberwood species for timber, high yield of fiber from Eucalyptus, including to value added for wood from plantation to furniture and flooring industries. Teak from thinning period is found to be too small and low recovery rate.

For wood industry, concerned factories should have their own plantations 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. The objectives of the cooperatives are to run forestry business not only selling log but also increasing value added wood product. There are 7 cooperatives nationwide in active and 23 cooperatives more are on their ways.

Thailand has a privilege for plantation due to its location. Only 4-6 years for fast

growing species and 30-40 years for normal trees, harvesting can be done. The best way to use a tree is to consider how to efficiently use every part of the tree

such as root, stump, log and branches, which manufacturing process has to be employed. Wood may be dried and preserved to make it strong and last longer time.

Lapwood can be used for tools, wood products, parquet, woodfuel, charcoal and

chipwood. Stumps and branches can be used as woodfuel and chipwood, as well, for large scale of industries of wood chemical products, pulp and paper, fiberboard, which made from chipwood through defibration process. Chipwood, also can be dissolved into particle, without

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defibrator, mixed with resin and cement for particleboard and wood cement board, respectively.

Timber can be added for highest value by using as veneer or plywood. Core and

lapwood from the veneer process can be used as chipwood. Moreover some parts of wood from the process can be raw material for carving as well. Small log can be used as poles for construction.

As mentioned above, the uses of wood will be efficient and intelligent if there are

industries to support or so called “Integrated Wood Industries”. (Figure 2) R&D on wood utilization conducted by RFD focuses on wood from plantations,

which size is small compared with wood from natural forests. To avoid wasting wood from sawing process, sawing is developed to decrease the problem of wood twisting, knots or defect. The process after sawing is also determined such as putting wood into water immediately 1-2 days before seasoning. Soaking chemical solution is also employed to preserve wood from termite and fungus. Researches have been carried out on many topics to find out the best ways to use wood, develop appropriate machines for wood products and furniture industry.

High level of R&D for large industries has also been conducted both in government

and private sectors such as Kasetsart University, RFD or private companies. Problems in wood processing are considered to make a better benefit and high recovery rate of wood during any process. Wood products will supply the market with high quality and along with environmental awareness.

Due to economic crisis in Thailand, last 5 years there was decreasing of wood and

wood products. On the other hand export of such was increasing. This may be results from industrial and economic reform.

From trees to timber, wood products, pulp and paper many kinds of factories are

concerned. Wood industry has a large number of people who concern and depend on, including related industries who make use of the products from wood industry, especially construction and printing media industries. Thus, wood industry is one of the major sectors who support national economic.

Thailand has unfortunately there is still no committee body on the national level for

wood industry launched a policy on wood industrial promotion on 4 levels as follows : 1. Household level 2. Local or community level 3. Private or business level 4. State enterprise level such as FIO and the Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd. At present, there is a concept to encourage local people to live on their feet. The

attitudes of using local products or their household products are arising. The government has also launched a campaign namely “One village, one product” to promote indigenous knowledge to create their own specific product. Such policies are trying to mitigate the economic crisis which affect the local communities.

For international role on wood industry, Thailand has joined the Commission on

Sustainable Development (CSD) to pursue sustainable wood industries and make an agreement done on February 1997 in New York, following the proposal of Open-ended adhoc

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Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) to conduct sustainable forest management for wood industry in all aspect; business, environment, products and services from the forest. Reference Benjachaya, S. 1989. The Future of Wood-base Panel Industry. Mai-ud-bangna J.

18(6): 20-30. Benjachaya, S. 1993. Golden Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) is Siam Teak, Sentangkaset J.

1(1): 8-13. Benjachaya, S. 1998. The Research of Wood Cement Board. Royal Forest Department,

Bangkok. 25 p. Benjachaya, S., T. Jirayut, P. Amonchot, L. Suthiwilairatana, C. Chuayna, B. Sompoh and

W. Sonthivanit. 2000. Evaluation on Utilization Potential of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell, pp.33-41. In The 38th Kasetsart University Annual Conference, Bangkok.

Chiang Mai Provincial Forest Office. 1997. Chiang Mai Provincial Forest Office in the century of Royal Forest Department. Chiang Mai Provincial Forest Office, Chiang Mai. 128 p.

Committee of Agro-industry Extension and Development. 1999. Master Plan for Agro-industry Development. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok. 96 p.

Data Center Division. 1996. Forestry Statistics of Thailand in 1996. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 149 p.

Data Center Division. 1999. Forestry Statistics of Thailand in 1999. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 153 p.

Export Service Division. 2000. Situation of Export of Wood Products. Seminar on Export of Wood from Plantation, 4 February 2000, Kasetsart University. 23 p.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2001. Forest map. http://www.fao.org/forestry/fo/country/index.jsp?geo_id=41&lang_id=1, September 1, 2001.

Forest Industry Organization. 2001. Price of thinning teak from plantation of the Forest Industry Organization. 1 p. (information sheet)

Forest Products R&D Division. 1988. The Utilization of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 14 p.

Forest Products R&D Division. 1999. Basic in Wood Utilization. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 168 p.

Forest Research Office.1998. Status of Rubberwood Utilization and Marketing in Thailand. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 89 p.

Khaovanit, A. 1980. Basic in Wood Industry. Congregated of Agriculture Cooperatives of Thailand Press, Bangkok. 309 p.

Oonjittichai, W. 1995. Situation on Fiberboard and Particleboard Industry. Royal Forest Departmant, Bangkok. 6 p.

Oonjittichai, W. 1998. Particleboard Manufactur and Processing. Royal Forest Departmant, Bangkok. 202 p.

Panyachatruk, P. 2001. State Policy of Forestry and Extension of Plantation for Private sector. 10 p. (Speech paper of deputy of minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry)

Project and Assessment Analysis Division. 2000. Direction and Research Planing for Analyse the Research Plan. Committee of Research National Office, Bangkok. 25 p.

Promchottikul, W. 1999. Wood Industry in Thailand. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 10 p.

Sarikaphuti, Y. 2001. Extension of Economic Tree Species Plantation of Private Secter. 10 p. (Lecture note)

Wisuttitappakul, S. 1999. Lumbering. Royal Forest Department, Bangkok. 47 p.

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APPENDIX

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Figure 1 Map of forest type in Thailand

Source : www.fao.org

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Log

Stump/Root

Branches

Sawmill

Chipper

Peeling/Slicing

Drying

Preservation

Lapwood

Lumber Furniture

Constructed lumber

Household utensils

Flooring/Parquet

Fuelwood

Chipwood

Pole/Post

Carved wood

Core/Veneer residue

Wood Chemical

Defibrator Pulp & Paper

Fiberboard

Particleboard

Cement-bonded Particleboard

Veneer

Wood-wool Cementboard

Plywood

Figure 2 Model of Wood Utilization

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Table 1 Forest area by type and region of Thailand, 1999 Type of Forest North North-east East Central South Total

1. Tropical evergreen forest 21,161.00 7,107.46 6,428.15 7,435.45 10,066.12 52,198.18 2. Mixed deciduous forest 32,325.61 6,285.99 771.94 4,673.41 0 44,056.95 3. Dry dipterocarp forest 17,913.79 7,400.67 175.93 1,314.88 0 26,805.27 4. Pine forest 1,620.36 19.75 0 0 0 1,640.11 5. Scrub forest 2.36 0 0 0 0 2.36 6. Mangrove forest 0 0 126.58 54.26 1,494.75 1,675.59 7. Swamp forest 0 170.05 0 0 564.25 734.30 8. Bamboo forest 34.20 0 4.82 2,570.50 0 2,609.52 Total (1-8) 73,057.32 20,983.92 7,507.42 16,048.50 12,125.12 129,722.28 9. Rubberwood Plantation Area 0 454.20 2,385.36 40.08 16,681.63 19,561.27 Total (1-9) 73,057.32 21,438.12 9,892.78 16,088.58 28,806.75 149,283.55

Note : unit : sq.km. Source : Data Center Division,1999

Table 2 Import of wood and wood products of Thailand, 1995-1999

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Item Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

LLog/Sawntimber 3.5 27,018 3.2 23,519 2.4 18,634 1.2 8,920 1.7 11,283 Wood products - 2,275 - 2,242 - 2,091 - 1,404 - 1,302 Pulp 416,897 9,123 415,810 6,836 414,151 6,595 327,760 7,031 438,525 7,987 Paper 520,185 19,407 468,567 17,348 404,004 17,521 232,750 15,376 365,208 16,328 Total 57,823 49,945 44,841 32,731 36,900 Note : Quantity : x 10,000 cu.m. for log/sawntimber, ton for pulp and paper Value : million baht (45 baht = $ 1) Source : Data Center Division,1999 Table 3 Export of wood and wood products of Thailand, 1995-1999

Item 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Log/Sawntimber 0.81 2,216 0.45 1,946 0.80 2,230 1.08 2,577 2.89 4,108 Wood products - 14,763 - 15,176 - 18,511 - 25,540 - 29,390 Pulp 99,383 1,910 131,509 1,332 102,719 1,375 217,079 3,060 229,682 4,143 Paper 239,737 8,316 203,682 4,750 525,715 11,396 925,766 20,526 978,739 21,017 Total 27,205 23,204 33,512 51,703 58,658 Note : Quantity : x 10,000 cu.m. for log/sawntimber, ton for pulp and paper Value : million baht (45 baht = $ 1) Source : Data Center Division,1999 Table 4 Forest area by region of Thailand, 1985-1998

Year North North-east East Central South Total % 1985* 84,126 25,580 7,990 17,685 15,485 150,866 29.40 1988 80,402 23,693 7,834 17,244 14,630 143,803 28.03 1989 80,222 23,586 7,786 17,223 14,600 143,147 27.95 1991 77,143 21,799 7,691 16,616 13,449 136,698 26.64 1993 75,231 21,473 7,634 16,408 12,808 133,554 26.03 1995 73,886 21,265 7,591 16,288 12,455 131,485 25.62 1998 73,057 20,984 7,507 16,049 12,125 129,722 25.28

Note : unit : sq.km. Source : Data Center Division, 1999 *Data Center Division, 1996

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Table 5 Particleboard factories of Thailand, 1998 Company Capacity

(x1,000cu.m./year)Raw material Location

(province) 1. Durospan Co.,Ltd. 45 Rubberwood Chachoaengsao 2. Particle planner Co.,Ltd. 123 Rubberwood Chonburi 3. Thai particleboard Co.,Ltd. 93 Rubberwood Songkhla 4. MP particleboard Co.,Ltd. 70 Bagasse Chaiyaphum 5. GCBC Co.,Ltd. 60 Bagasse Lopburi 6. Diichi particle Co.,Ltd. 60 Rubberwood Songkhla 7. VP wood products Co.,Ltd. 54 Rubberwood Chachoaengsao 8. Sahachai particleboard Co.,Ltd. 45 Rubberwood Pathumthani 9. Sunparatex Co.,Ltd. 45 Rubberwood Suratthani 10. Thainamseang wood industry Co.,Ltd. 15 Rubberwood Nonthaburi 11. SS furnitex Co.,Ltd. 9 Rubberwood Nonthaburi 12. Thaichipboard Co.,Ltd. 6.9 Wood from Mixed

deciduous forest Samutprakhan

13. Molarwood Co.,Ltd. 75 Rubberwood Samutsakon 14. STA particle products Co.,Ltd. 195 Rubberwood Songkhla 15. Rayong particleboard Co.,Ltd. 54 Rubberwood Rayong 16. Phangnga particleboard Co.,Ltd. 60 Rubberwood Phangnga 17. S. Kijchai Co.,Ltd. 30 Rubberwood Rayong 18. Wanachai panel industries Co.,Ltd. 300 Rubberwood Suratthani 19. Siam riso wood products Co.,Ltd. 84 Rubberwood Suratthani Total 1,423.9

Source : Oonjittichai, 1998 Table 6 Medium density fiberboard (MDF) factories of Thailand, 1995

Company Capacity (cu.m./year)

Raw material Location (Province)

1. Khonkaen MDF board Co.,Ltd. 72,500 Bagasse Khonkaen 2. Wanachai group public Co.,Ltd. 210,000 Rubberwood Chonburi 3. Metro MDF Co.,Ltd. 94,000 Rubberwood Kanchanaburi 4. STA group (1993) public Co.,Ltd. 120,000 Rubberwood Songkhla 5. Agromats Co.,Ltd. 100,000 Rubberwood and

Eucalyptus Prachinburi

6. Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd. 90,000 Eucalyptus and lapwood from

headquarters factory

Saraburi

Total 686,500 Source : Oonjittichai, 1995 Table 7 Sawmills and wood products factories of Thailand, 1995-1999

Classified by Region Item Total mills Bangkok Central North North-east South

- Sawmills 514 53 171 51 56 183 - Sawntimber by Man-power 45 0 14 16 1 14 - Wood Working by Machinery 5,745 2,580 1,916 347 448 454 - Wood Working by Man-power 607 4 177 139 217 70 - Plywood* 21 6 11 0 0 4 - Veneer* 14 2 10 0 0 2 - Fiberboard** 10 1 7 0 1 1 - Particleboard** 19 - 11 - 1 7 - Pulp and Paper Mills 52 9 40 1 2 0 - Sawn Timber Shop 3,862 1,071 1,285 479 729 298 - Wood Products Shop 4,932 1,930 1,370 778 707 147

Source : Data Center Division,1999 * Data Center Division,1996 **Oonjittichai, 1995, 1998

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Table 8 Diameter of small log Diameter Local

ins. cm. East Canada, Scandinavia and South America 4-10 10-25 West Canada, West coast Pasific, Central America, New Zealand, Australia (Coniferous plantation)

4-20 10-50

North California, Eucalyptus from forest in Australia and wood from tropical forest zone

12-24 30-60

Williston, 1981 4-20 10-50 Thailand 4-10 10-25

Source : Promchottikul, 1999

Table 9 Hardboard factories of Thailand, 1995 Company Capacity

(tons/year) Raw material Location

(Province) 1. Thaiplywood Co.,Ltd. 60,000 Eucalyptus Bangkok 2. Thaicaneboard Co.,Ltd. 24,000 Eucalyptus

and Bagasse Kanchanaburi

3. Metrofiber Co.,Ltd. 27,000 Eucalyptus Kanchanaburi 4. Agro Line Co.,Ltd. 48,000 Eucalyptus Chachoengsao Total 159,000

Note : capacity 1 ton = 100 sheets, 3 mm. thickness of Hardboard Source : Oonjittichai, 1995 Table 10 Expense in plantation per rai of Eucalyptus for 5 years of Thailand, 1999

Item Cost (baht) 1. Seeding (270 units) 270 2. Post planting care (5 years) 2,500 3. Fertilizer 375 4. Felling (16.65 tons x 75 baht) 1,249 5. transportation (16.65 tons x 225 baht) 3,746 Total 8,140

Note : 45 baht = $ 1 Source : Forest Products R&D Division, 1999 Table 11 Charcoal production of lapwood from Eucalyptus of Thailand, 1999

Item Cost (baht) 1. Lapwood collection 60 2. Charcoal production 75 3. Other expense 15 Total 150

Note : 45 baht = $ 1 Source : Forest Products R&D Division, 1999 Table 12 Price of Eucalyptus log of Thailand, 1999

Item Diameter and length of log Cost (baht/ton) Pole/Post > ø 2″ 700 Fiberboard > ø 2″, 1-2 m. length 850 > ø 4″, 1-2 m. length 1,000 Pulp > ø 1″ 350 > ø 2″ 550 > ø 2.5″ 750 > ø 4″ 800 Chipwood for export > ø 1.5″, 2.0-2.5 m. length 500 > ø 2″, 2.0-2.5 m. length 800 > ø 4″, 2.0-2.5 m. length 850 > ø 6″, 1.0-2.0 m. length 1,000 > ø 6″, 2.5 m. length 1,200 > ø 9″, 2.5 m. length 1,400

Note : 45 baht = $ 1 Source : Forest Products R&D Division, 1999

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Table 13 Price of thinning Teak from plantation of the Forest Industry Organization (FIO) of Thailand, 2001

Length (m.) Group Girth of log (cm.) < 2.00 2.00-3.99 4.00-5.99 > 6.00

1 30-40 1,900 2,100 2,350 2,600 35-39 2,100 2,350 2,600 2,900 40-44 2,350 2,600 2,900 3,200 45-49 2,600 2,900 3,200 3,650 50-54 3,250 3,650 4,050 4,450 55-59 3,600 4,050 4,450 5,000

2 60-64 4,450 4,950 5,500 6,100 65-69 4,950 5,500 6,050 6,700 70-74 6,300 6,350 6,650 7,300 75-79 6,950 7,000 7,300 8,000 80-84 7,300 7,300 7,800 8,600 85-89 7,800 8,000 8,800 9,750 90-94 10,000 10,000 10,550 11,700 95-99 10,550 10,550 11,700 12,850

3 100-109 11,400 11,700 12,850 13,700 110-119 12,500 12,850 13,900 14,800 120-129 14,000 14,400 15,000 16,000 130-139 14,600 15,000 16,200 17,200 > 140 15,700 16,200 17,400 18,400

Note : unit = baht, 45 baht = $ 1 Source : Forest Industry Organization, 2001 Table 14 Exports of wood products of Thailand, 1996-1998

Item 1996 1997 1998 1. Wood furniture 485.90 469.15 434.92 2. Wood products 308.18 292.81 293.21 2.1 Wood utensils 102.99 95.19 90.88 2.2 Frame wood 91.66 92.39 100.54 2.3 Carved wood and decorated wood 23.99 19.97 19.11 2.4 Wood equipment construction 89.55 85.26 82.68 3. Wood and wood panel 86.50 103.23 109.68 3.1 Particleboard and MDF (> 6 mm. thickness) 11.66 14.78 11.57 3.2 Veneer 8.93 11.72 11.19 3.3 Other wood panels 65.91 76.72 86.92 Total 1-3 880.58 865.19 837.81 4. Pulp, paper, and paper products 177.64 352.60 463.58 Total 1,058.22 1,217.79 1,301.39

Note : unit : $ million Source : Export Service Division, 2000

Table 15 Imports of wood products of Thailand, 1996-1998

Item 1996 1997 1998 1. Wood products 87.09 67.13 34.88 1.1 Plywood 40.65 24.28 10.30 1.2 Veneer 16.31 15.60 9.81 1.3 Other wood panels 30.12 27.25 14.78 2. Log, lumber, and other woods 922.58 650.08 214.25 2.1 Log 248.76 194.17 51.11 2.2 Lumber 662.75 449.64 162.42 2.3 Other woods 11.07 6.27 0.72 3. Pulp 269.57 220.64 168.95 Total 1,279.24 937.85 418.08

Note : unit : $ million Source : Export Service Division, 2000 Table 16 The comparison of exports and imports of wood products of Thailand, 1996-1998

Item 1996 1997 1998 1. Imports 1,058.22 1,217.79 1,301.39 2. Exports 1,279.24 937.85 418.08 1-2 -221.02 279.94 883.31

Note : unit : $ million Source : Export Service Division, 2000

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