Explore Alternative Sources Of Raw Materials, Timber Industry Urged

DURING THE LAST DECADE, THE GROWTH OF THE MALAYSIAN TIMBER INDUSTRY HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE. FROM JUST ABOUT RM13 MILLION WORTH OF EXPORTS IN 1994, THE FIGURE ROSE TO RM19.78 BILLION IN 2004.

KENAF (Hibiscus cannabinus) PLANT GROWS TO A HEIGHT OF 2.7-3.6 METRES. THE RAPID growth of the timber industry has put increasing pressure on the country's timber resources. Log production, which previously was between 35-45 million m3 a year, has now declined. Harvesting from the Permanent Forests Estates has been reduced due to conservation efforts such as the need for sustainable forest management in accordance with the commitment towards sustainable development.

The decline in log production has posed greater challenges to the development of the timber industry as its processing industry and export continue to expand at an impressive rate. Prices of logs have increased greatly, thus increasing the cost of production. With higher raw material cost, Malaysian suppliers are pitched against competition from products from lower cost producers such as China and other South-East Asian countries.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Datuk Peter Chin said Malaysia must explore alternative sources of raw materials, especially the timber industry. "The use of other non-timber materials is a possibility that is being tapped. Researches on the use of oil palm trunks and biomass, coconut trunks and kenaf for various products are on-going and the findings have shown good prospects for these materials to replace forest species as solid wood and fibre. These alternatives are comparatively cheaper, sustainable as well as environmentally friendly," said the Minister at the opening of the seminar on "Kenaf - A New Source of Growth" organised by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) on 10 May 2005.

Datuk Peter Chin said kenaf is a good source of fibre that is fast -growing and could be harvested in just four to five months. In terms of yield. the plant produces three to six tonnes of dry fibre per hectare and three to five times of biomass compared to most forest species. "As a bio-composite material, kenaf could be a viable alternative source for the manufacture of MDF, particleboard and pulp for paper. Kenaf is also a very good alternative biomass resource," he said.

KENAF WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE EARLY 70'S IN MALAYSIA. Recognising the potential that kenaf can offer, several researches on the plant were done under the Seventh and Eighth Malaysia Plans. In addition, a joint committee participated by Universiti Putra Malaysia, Forest Research Institute Malaysia and MARDI has researched on the technical and commercial potential of kenaf. "With the success achieved in those researches, the need to commercialise the findings has become more urgent particularly to increase raw material supply. The joint -venture between Malaysia's largest particleboard plant, Mieco Chipboard Bhd and Japan's Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. to establish the world's first kenaf fibreboard plant in Semambu, Pahang for instance, is indeed encouraging," said the Minister.

"The Ministry will undertake appropriate promotional and marketing activities to promote kenaf-based products. A special unit called the Bio-Composite Development Unit, will be established in MTIB, with the aim of promoting the usage of kenaf fibre apart from other fibre materials as alternatives for the wood-based and related industries. To ensure a continuous supply of kenaf in significant volume for industrial utilisation, the Ministry is also encouraging the cultivation of kenaf as an intercrop with other crops such as rubber and oil palm as well as be planted in rotation with tobacco, cocoa or rice," he eloborated,

The one-day seminar was organised to promote the commercialisation of kenaf utilisation particularly in the wood-based industry. It provided an avenue for both local and international participants to deliberate and interact on the opportunities and viability of kenaf for composite material production. Eight papers were presented at the seminar by speakers from various organisations and companies including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) , Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, MARDI, MIECO-Matshushita, National Economic Action Council and UMW Engineering. Among the topics presented at the seminar were on the "Utilisation of Kenaf as Raw Materials of Pulp and Other Wood-Based Industry", "Production Technology for Kenaf Boards", "Use of Kenaf in Automotive Industry", "Preparation of Kenaf Fibre for Use in Technical Products" as well as "Opportunities for Use of Kenaf in the Wood-Based Industry".

what Is kenaf?

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) is a member of the hibiscus family and indigenous to Africa. Related to cotton and okra, kenaf has been grown on a commercial scale in China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. It was first introduced in the early 70's in Malaysia and was highlighted in the late 90's as an alternative and cheaper source of material for producing panel products such as fibreboard and particleboard.

Kenaf could be Malaysia's next industrial crop based on research findings on its technical and commercial potential. The plant grows to a height of 2.7-3.6 metres, and is harvested early for production of high protein animal feed, or at maturity, for its fibre and woody core. These raw materials can be processed into pulp and paper, bio-composites for automotive door trimmings and interior shelvings as well as building materials. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) began researching kenaf in the 40's, when World War II put a stop to jute imports from Asia. In 1960, the USDA chose kenaf from among five hundred candidates as the most promising non-wood fibre for pulp and paper production. Kenaf can be quickly and easily pulped and bleached with harmless chemicals and kenaf-based newsprint is strong, has good ink retention and does not easily yellow with age.

Taking cognizance of its immense potential and interest generated on its fibre potential for the wood-based sector, the Malaysian government has pursued various measures to promote downstream value-added processing of kenaf as well as the cultivation of kenaf among smallholders and estate owners.