Engineered bamboo (e-bamboo) is being widely used worldwide to make attractive panels, floors, furniture and handicrafts. It is stronger and less prone to warping than equivalent solid woods.
In this regard, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, in its objective to improve local e-bamboo processing, recently sent a team to the Bamboo Processing Industry Consultation Meeting in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City, said Apple Jean C. Martin-de Leon of DOST FPRDI.
DOST-FPRDI Deputy Director Dr. Rico J. Cabangon and Dr. Florentino O. Tesoro, former DOST undersecretary for Regional Operations, provided technical proposals on how to improve local e-bamboo processing to be able to compete with imported counterparts.
They discussed the results of the developed drying schedule for bamboo slats, the physical and natural durability, and mechanical properties of local e-bamboo compared with imported e-bamboo.
E-bamboo is produced by binding together fibers, particles, strips or slats of bamboo with the right adhesive.
The team also visited some manufacturers of e-bamboo in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City, and made a courtesy call to DOST Lanao del Norte.
The consultation meeting was under the “S&T Intervention on Quality Standard and Drying Protocols for Locally Manufactured Engineered Bamboo” project, which is in collaboration with the Central Mindanao University (CMU). It is funded by DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Martin-de Leon said.
Other members of the DOST-FPRDI team included Engr. Elvina O. Bondad, Engr. Ceasar Cuaresma and For. Oliver S. Marasigan, while the CMU team was composed of Dr. Lowell C. Aribal, For. Jason A. Parlucha and Engr. Hazel L. Eyana.
Image credits: DOST-FPRDI