Meranti or (Shorea spp.) is a plant endemic to tropical area. In Indonesia, Meranti is commonly found in Kalimantan and Sumatera Island. It can grow up to 40 metres with 1.5 metres in diameter. Commonly there are three kinds of meranti found in Indonesia. They are Red, White, and Yellow Meranti. Each has different characteristic. Red Meranti has dark reddish and purplish brown with a white resin line between the fibres. Its strong root prevents the wood from rooting and pest attack. Meanwhile, White Meranti has smoother texture with slightly rough surface. Mainly used in furniture and plywood industry. Yellow Meranti tends to be coarser with large and visible pores. It has yellowish brown colour and the older the tree the darker the colour will be.
Meranti has been used for many commercial purposes mainly as the material building and furniture including veneer. Meranti veneer is processed by selecting the best log and peeling it into veneer sheet. The thickness is varied between 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. There are some stages to produce good quality veneer. It started by heating the selected Meranti Log. This process aims to smoothen the wood and ease the cutting process. Then, the log bark is peeled in the peeling process and proceeded to be cut into the desired size. Veneer sheet then are sprayed with glue and dried. There are also various grades depend on the quality of the veneer sheet.
Meranti is well-known as the termite-proof wood and easy to dry. Besides, Meranti is a long lasting and durable wood. It does not shrink due to temperature difference and even when it is soaked in water. Some special characteristics also found in Meranti wood. Among them are the tall and cylindrical stem with less knots and free of branches. The bark is even with beautiful fibre line on its inside. Those special characteristic makes meranti is suitable for many purposes.
Meranti veneer is exported to some countries around the world in form of rolls or bundles as well as in a wooden pallet. ATH group helps customer to meet the best Meranti veneer with the best deal.
