Exploring the Potential of Oil Palm Wood: An Underutilized Resource

Introduction

Oil Palm wood refers to the wood from the Elaeis guineensis palm, which belongs to the Palmae family. Native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa, this palm species naturally occurs from Senegal to Angola, extending further along the Congo River. Although oil palm was first introduced to Malaysia in 1870 through Singapore’s Botanic Garden, commercial interest in oil palm cultivation only started in the early 1900s. Today, Malaysia is one of the leading exporters of palm oil globally, but the wood from these palms remains an underexplored resource.
Also Known As: Kelapa sawit (Indonesia)

Density

Oil Palm wood exhibits a wide range of density values depending on the specific part of the stem. The center of the stem has a lower density, which increases progressively towards the bark. The average density of oil palm wood ranges from 200 to 600 kg/m³ when air-dried, with its highest density found near the outer layers.

Natural Durability

Due to its high content of sugars and starches, oil palm wood is highly vulnerable to both fungal and insect attacks. Without proper treatment, the wood is prone to rapid degradation in most environments.

Machining Properties

Working with oil palm wood is particularly challenging, especially near the bark, as the presence of silica in the cells significantly affects the wood’s workability. The wood tends to dull cutting tools quickly, and overall, its machining properties are reported to be poor. Careful handling and specialized techniques are required for successful processing.

Air Drying

The drying process for oil palm wood presents various challenges. It tends to suffer from a number of drying defects, such as raised grain, warping, and collapse, making it difficult to season properly. These issues must be addressed through precise control of the drying process to minimize damage and achieve workable material.

Uses

Oil palm trees are typically felled after reaching an economic life span of 25-30 years. While historically used mainly for oil production, research conducted at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has explored the potential commercial applications of oil palm wood. The wood can be utilized in the production of various composite panel products, such as:

• Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)

• Blockboard

• Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

• Mineral-bonded particleboard

• Plywood

In addition, oil palm wood holds promise for the manufacturing of furniture and paper products, offering sustainable alternatives to more traditional wood source