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.

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