Technical Sheet
Kempas
“With its stunning orangish-brown colour and natural resistance to decay, Kempas wood is one of the preferred choices for beautiful and durable shingles.”
Botanical Name:
Koompassia malaccensis
Other Common Names:
Koompassia spp, Thongbueng, Gemaris, Hampas, Nyari, Kempas rawang, Impas (Sabah), Mengris (Sarawak), Tualangun
Country of Origin:
Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and Thailand
From Forest to Factory
Kempas has a natural resistance to decay, insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It is an excellent choice for shingles, as well as for the following projects:
- Flooring
- Decking
- Outdoor furniture
- Plywood
- Sleepers
- Bridges, wharfage flooring
- Heavy construction
- Railroad crossties
- Pallets
Description
Native to Asia, Koompassia malaccensis are tall deciduous trees that can reach heights of 40 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 1-1.5 metres.
Its wood, commonly called Kempas, is among the most beautiful and unique hardwoods in the world. Its heartwood ranges from orange-red to reddish-brown with subtly contrasting yellow to pale white tones and darkens with time.
Kempas is a hard, heavy wood, with a rather coarse texture and a spiralled grain. It is fairly lustrous and has a good glossy wood performance.
