Bamboo Mat Board (India) / Final Technical Report
Date
1993
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Abstract
The principal objective of the project, i.e., to develop appropriate technologies for the
production of good quality, lower priced bamboo mat board, has been achieved. This
development has resulted in the revival of bamboo mat weaving particularly by tribal women
in remote localities like Andaman Islands and Assam, leading to increased income to the
households. An exhaustive review of research on bamboo composite production has been
completed and annotated bibliography produced. A modified phenolic resin adhesive has
been developed, standardised and method of resin application evolved which has resulted in
reduction of resin requirement for bamboo mat board production by 75%. A low cost adhesive
in which phenol is replaced to the extent of 40% by chemical waste (black liquor from bagasse
based paper mills) has been developed and its efficacy demonstrated. The technologies for
resin application, preservative treatment, mat conditioning and application of releasing agent
have been refined resulting in cost and quality optimisation. Innovative test methods to
determine properties of bamboo mat board have been worked out and potential of this material
for substituting wood in such critical sectors as housing, grain storage, packaging and transport
have been demonstrated. In service evaluation in these applications is in progress. Clear
indications have become available of the ecological (reduction of pressure on forests for prime
timber) and socio-economic (improved access to employment and increased income to rural
households, especially women) benefits of this product. As production and marketing have
just started, it is however, too early to make detailed impact assessment.
Description
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IDRC Final Report
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Keywords
INDIA, BAMBOO, WOOD PRODUCTS, NEW PRODUCTS, NEW MATERIALS, APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION FACTORS, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, MEANS OF PRODUCTION, RURAL COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT