Wednesday, August 12, 2026
SUARAJATIM – Indonesia’s vast forest resources are not the only answer to the country’s future wood supply. The Indonesian Sawmill and Woodworking Association (ISWA) is looking at plantation timber, including fast-growing and short-rotation species, as an alternative that could reduce pressure on conventional forest resources.
ISWA Presidium Chairman Jimmy Chandra said technology has been developed to overcome one of the biggest weaknesses of plantation wood: its relatively young age and softer characteristics.
“We have created a type of wood that can withstand outdoor use for 20 to 25 years,” Jimmy said during the IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026 Roadshow in Surabaya on Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026).
The technology, according to Jimmy, was developed through cooperation involving IPB University and partners from France. The focus is on improving the durability of plantation wood so that timber from shorter growing cycles can be used for applications that traditionally require more durable wood.
Plantation timber can be harvested within a relatively short period, with Jimmy citing a rotation of around 15 to 20 years. However, the shorter growth period also means the wood tends to be softer and has limitations in terms of durability.
Technology could change that equation.
Jimmy said the treated material can potentially last more than 50 years when used indoors. For outdoor applications, he cited a service life of around 20 to 25 years.
The development is significant because Indonesia has an enormous variety of tree species, but not all of them are widely recognized or easily utilized by the market.
According to Jimmy, Indonesia’s forest timber can broadly be divided into well-known species and less-known species. He estimated that only around 30 percent of forest timber species are widely recognized.
“The wood in Indonesia is so abundant. The species that can really be recognized are only around 30 percent,” he said.
That abundance, however, does not automatically translate into an easy supply of raw materials for every wood-processing business. Access, cost and the characteristics of different species remain challenges, particularly for smaller manufacturers.
For this reason, ISWA is encouraging greater use of plantation wood while continuing to develop processing technology that can improve its performance.
Jimmy also pointed to the pressure faced by Indonesia’s wood industry from a weakening global market. The slowdown, he said, is not unique to Indonesia but is being felt by the wood industry worldwide.
In such conditions, technology becomes increasingly important for manufacturers seeking to remain competitive.
“Technology is already there. If we keep doing the same thing, we will be left behind,” Jimmy said.
The technology discussion was part of the IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026 Roadshow in Surabaya, which brought together players from the furniture and wood-processing industries, associations, academics and technology providers. The roadshow is part of the lead-up to IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026, scheduled for Sept. 23–26 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.
The exhibition will feature machinery, production technology, materials, components, accessories, tools, cutting solutions and finishing technologies for the furniture and wood-processing industries. Visitors will also be able to see machine demonstrations, attend seminars and technical sessions, and connect with domestic and international industry players.
For Indonesia’s wood industry, the development of plantation timber could open another path for securing raw materials. Rather than relying solely on naturally grown forest timber, manufacturers can potentially make better use of fast-growing trees if technology can deliver the durability required by the market.
The challenge now is turning that technology into wider industrial adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses that may face financing constraints when investing in new machinery and processing systems.
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| ISWA discusses technology aimed at improving the durability of fast-growing plantation wood during the IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026 Roadshow in Surabaya. |
“We have created a type of wood that can withstand outdoor use for 20 to 25 years,” Jimmy said during the IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026 Roadshow in Surabaya on Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026).
The technology, according to Jimmy, was developed through cooperation involving IPB University and partners from France. The focus is on improving the durability of plantation wood so that timber from shorter growing cycles can be used for applications that traditionally require more durable wood.
Plantation timber can be harvested within a relatively short period, with Jimmy citing a rotation of around 15 to 20 years. However, the shorter growth period also means the wood tends to be softer and has limitations in terms of durability.
Technology could change that equation.
Jimmy said the treated material can potentially last more than 50 years when used indoors. For outdoor applications, he cited a service life of around 20 to 25 years.
The development is significant because Indonesia has an enormous variety of tree species, but not all of them are widely recognized or easily utilized by the market.
According to Jimmy, Indonesia’s forest timber can broadly be divided into well-known species and less-known species. He estimated that only around 30 percent of forest timber species are widely recognized.
“The wood in Indonesia is so abundant. The species that can really be recognized are only around 30 percent,” he said.
That abundance, however, does not automatically translate into an easy supply of raw materials for every wood-processing business. Access, cost and the characteristics of different species remain challenges, particularly for smaller manufacturers.
For this reason, ISWA is encouraging greater use of plantation wood while continuing to develop processing technology that can improve its performance.
Jimmy also pointed to the pressure faced by Indonesia’s wood industry from a weakening global market. The slowdown, he said, is not unique to Indonesia but is being felt by the wood industry worldwide.
In such conditions, technology becomes increasingly important for manufacturers seeking to remain competitive.
“Technology is already there. If we keep doing the same thing, we will be left behind,” Jimmy said.
The technology discussion was part of the IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026 Roadshow in Surabaya, which brought together players from the furniture and wood-processing industries, associations, academics and technology providers. The roadshow is part of the lead-up to IFMAC & WOODMAC 2026, scheduled for Sept. 23–26 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.
The exhibition will feature machinery, production technology, materials, components, accessories, tools, cutting solutions and finishing technologies for the furniture and wood-processing industries. Visitors will also be able to see machine demonstrations, attend seminars and technical sessions, and connect with domestic and international industry players.
For Indonesia’s wood industry, the development of plantation timber could open another path for securing raw materials. Rather than relying solely on naturally grown forest timber, manufacturers can potentially make better use of fast-growing trees if technology can deliver the durability required by the market.
The challenge now is turning that technology into wider industrial adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses that may face financing constraints when investing in new machinery and processing systems.