Resources & Technical Library
Terminology, frequently asked questions and the documents that support a bamboo sourcing decision — written for buyers, specifiers and brand owners.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Moso | Phyllostachys edulis — the principal commercial bamboo for structural and laminated products; straight culms and thick walls. |
| Tonkin | Bambusa tulda — thinner-walled, flexible bamboo used for decorative and weaving applications. |
| Culm | The above-ground stem of the bamboo plant; the raw material for poles, strips and fibre. |
| Node | The ringed joint along a culm. Nodes are a natural feature; a pole specification states whether they are kept or planed away. |
| Culm wall | The thickness of the culm’s outer shell — a key driver of strength and of yield when planing. |
| Kiln drying | Controlled drying in a heated chamber to bring moisture content to a specified band, typically 8–12%. |
| Moisture content (MC) | The mass of water in the material as a percentage of its oven-dry mass. |
| Carbonized bamboo | Bamboo darkened by steam-heat treatment under pressure, which also reduces starch content. |
| Thermal modification | High-temperature treatment in a low-oxygen atmosphere to improve dimensional stability and decay resistance. |
| Strip | A dimensioned piece of bamboo produced by splitting and planing a culm; the unit from which laminated panels are built. |
| Flat-pressed board | A panel made by laying strips side by side and gluing them face-down, so the growth rings show on the face. |
| Side-pressed board | A panel made by stacking strips and gluing edge-to-edge, so growth rings stand vertical on the face. |
| Strand-woven | A high-density panel made from crushed fibre strands dipped in adhesive and hot-pressed. Typically 1.00–1.15 g/cm³. |
| Edge-glued (solid) | A block assembled from square strips then sliced into boards — uniform, high-density, used for worktops and joinery. |
| CLB | Cross-laminated bamboo — layers with alternating grain direction, bonded with a structural adhesive, for load-bearing panels. |
| WPC | Wood-plastic composite; in this context, bamboo fibre compounded with polyethylene or PVC. |
| Co-extruded / capped | A composite profile with a protective outer skin, improving stain and fade resistance. |
| MOR | Modulus of rupture — bending strength, the stress at which a beam specimen fails. |
| MOE | Modulus of elasticity — stiffness, measured from the elastic part of a bending curve. |
| Janka hardness | A resistance-to-denting measure; relevant for flooring and work surfaces. |
| Iodine value | An indicator of micropore volume in activated carbon — higher means more adsorption capacity per gram. |
| BET surface area | Specific surface area measured by nitrogen adsorption; the physical basis of charcoal’s adsorption performance. |
| CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI | United States limits on formaldehyde emission from composite wood panels. |
| E0 | A low-formaldehyde emission class for panels, widely requested in export specifications. |
| FSC chain of custody | Documentation tracing certified material from the managed stand through processing to the shipped lot. |
| ISPM 15 | International standard for phytosanitary measures in wood packaging — the export-side treatment requirement for timber material. |
| MOQ | Minimum Order Quantity. |
| OEM / ODM | Original Equipment Manufacturer / Original Design Manufacturer — product supplied under your own brand. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bamboo actually a wood?
No — it is a grass. Unlike a tree, a bamboo culm reaches full height in a single growing season and then lignifies over the following years. That is why it matures in 3–5 years rather than decades, and why the fibre runs continuously along the culm instead of branching out from a trunk.
Which board construction should I choose?
Match the construction to the wear the surface will see. Interior cabinetry and wall panels are well served by flat-pressed laminated board; flooring, worktops and any high-wear surface call for strand-woven; load-bearing applications call for cross-laminated bamboo and an engineering sign-off.
Do you supply FSC-certified material?
Yes. We supply FSC chain-of-custody certified bamboo and issue the certificate with the shipping documents, so you can claim certified content in a green-building submission or a procurement file. If your project needs a specific certificate scope, tell us at enquiry stage rather than after the order.
What is your minimum order quantity?
Typical entry points are 500 pieces for poles, 500 kg for strips, composites and charcoal, and one pallet for panels. Trial quantities below these are available for qualification sampling — ask and we will tell you what is genuinely possible.
Do you provide samples?
Yes. Sample packs and trial quantities are available so you can validate the material in your own process before committing to production volumes. For colour-critical work we send a physical sample rather than relying on photographs.
What documents come with an order?
FSC chain-of-custody certificate, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list and a batch certificate of analysis stating the measured values against the agreed specification. Test reports — formaldehyde emission, heavy metals, release or mechanical data — are supplied on request for the relevant line.
How do you handle formaldehyde and emission rules?
We state the emission class of what we supply (E0 / CARB Phase 2, or a formaldehyde-free adhesive system) and provide the matching test report. Regulations differ between the United States and the EU and are moving; the final regulatory sign-off for your market rests with you or your regulatory consultant.
Will bamboo survive in my climate?
Tell us the destination and the service environment and we will target the right moisture band and recommend the construction and treatment. Solid bamboo in sustained wet or ground contact needs treatment or should be replaced by a composite; both options are available, and we will say which is appropriate.
Can you private-label for our brand?
Yes. Private-label and bespoke work is part of our OEM / ODM service, covering custom dimensions, colours, surface finishes, profiles and packaging developed to your destination market’s requirements.
Which markets do you ship to?
We supply customers in 40+ countries, with export documentation prepared for North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Confirm your destination port and we will advise on the paperwork required.
How long does an order take?
Samples typically ship within 3–7 days. Production lead time depends on the line and quantity — usually 20–35 days after specification freeze and deposit, plus transit. We will state the date in the quotation rather than after the order.
Documents on Request
Technical Data Sheets
Specifications, density and mechanical values, tolerances and supply formats for each product line.
FSC Chain of Custody
Certification documentation tracing the material from certified stand to shipped lot.
Sample Certificates
An example batch certificate of analysis so you can see how measured values are reported.
Need a Document or a Quote?
Request technical data, samples or pricing — we reply within 24 hours.
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