Rattan evokes tropical climates and hand-crafted outdoor furniture. There are over 600 species of rattan, a vine-like climbing plant that is characterized by its slender, long and flexible stems. Rattan is in fact the plant with the world’s longest stems, reaching up to 200 metres (656 feet). It is the length and strength of these stems that is exploited by weaving rattan into its many applications, the most notable of which being domestic furniture.
The vine is derived from the palm of the fast-growing Calamus rotang plant. The stems are stripped of their skin and this skin is used for weaving. The stems are subsequently left to cure in the sun and, depending on the species and thickness of the vine, these go through a number of steps before being formed into furniture. The inherent toughness, flexibility, strength, light weight and durability of rattan can be appreciated through its prolific use in furniture and basket making.
It is estimated that around 600,000 tonnes of rattan is exported each year from Indonesia alone, around 80% of the total world market. However, due to its importance on the Indonesian economy as a local commodity, it has generated political debate with the Indonesian government banning the export of unprocessed rattan at the beginning of 2012. By doing so it hoped – without success – to boost the domestic manufacturing industry.
Image: Rattan and plastic basket by Cordula Kehrer
Key features
•Relatively lightweight
•Rapidly renewable
•Very tough
•Good flexing strength with resistance to splitting
•Durable
Most of the world’s rattan comes from Indonesia. The rest of the world’s supply comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh. As with any natural material there are grades of rattan based on colour and flexing as opposed to brittle properties.
Cost
Due to the changing levels of harvesting the price fluctuates. The mid 1990s saw rattan reach a high of around £2.50 ($3.90) per kg.
Sustainability issues
Over-cutting rattan slows or stops the regeneration process and although it is often perceived as being a ‘green’ material many species of rattan are now endangered due to over farming – consequently affecting wildlife. As a result, plantations are being established to create a more managed harvesting, evident in a 26% drop in global trade between 2006 and 2008 due to dwindling resources and forest loss.
Production
Due to the flexibility of the long fibres, he most common form of processing rattan is weaving. Woven rattan is taken from the skin that is usually peeled from the stalk. The remaining ‘core’ of the rattan can also be used in furniture making. The various species of rattan canes range in thickness from 2 mm up to 40 mm (⅛ in to 1½ in) in diameter. The larger diameter canes also stain and finish well and are often buffed to produce a polished surface.
Typical applications
Beyond furniture rattan is used for baskets, umbrella handles, door mats, and structural applications for interior and exterior products. Thinner canes are used in the production of rope and twine, which also includes rope bridges. Although now antiquated in the West, its strength and flexibility made it a highly effective cane. More unusual applications come in the form of research that has been undertaken into turning rattan into a replacement for bones. Through a chemical process Italian scientists have managed to implant this ‘rattan bone’ into sheep.
| + | – |
|
–Strong and tough –Extremely flexible –Good resistance to splitting |
–Some species are endangered due to over farming |