Outline
1. The Advantages of Chinese Plywood
1.1.Excellent Softwood Plywood with Decorative Hardwood Veneer Faces
1.2.Low Cost Due to Local Material and Importing Cheap Raw Wood
1.3.Complete Supply Chain with Machinery, Logs, Chemicals, etc.
1.4.Massive Scale with Over 1 Million Specialized Workers
2. Reasons Behind the Low Costs
2.1.Large Plantation of Poplar Provides Cheap Core Veneers
2.2.Importing Radiata Pine from New Zealand with Very Good Prices
2.3.Plantation Eucalyptus from South China Also Available
3. Key Wood Species from China
3.1.Poplar - Fast Growing Plantation Tree Used for Core Layers
3.2.Radiata Pine - Imported from New Zealand for Structural Layers
3.3.Eucalyptus - A Hardwood Species for Decorative Top Layers
IV. Extra Information for Importers
1. The Advantages of Chinese Plywood
1.1.Excellent Softwood Plywood with Decorative Hardwood Veneer Faces
China excels in manufacturing high quality softwood plywood with decorative hardwood veneer surfaces. Popular veneer species used for aesthetic looks include poplar, birch, elm, maple and oak. These moderately dense hardwoods provide appealing texture and patterns in various colors. Advanced hot pressing and adhesive technologies enable strong lamination bonding and high flatness in the finished plywood. Glue extenders are also added to improve moisture resistance. The smooth surfaces minimize further processing efforts needed before final applications.
1.2.Low Cost Due to Local Material and Importing Cheap Raw Wood
The abundance of poplar timber from northern plantations helps lower costs for plywood core layers. In addition, competitive imported radiata pine logs from New Zealand and fast growing eucalyptus from southern forests supplement the rich material supplies. Advanced peeling, clipping and slicing production lines improve the yield and minimize wastage of expensive hardwood veneers. Automated manufacturing also improves labor productivity. Hence both material and conversion costs are very competitive for Chinese plywood.
1.3.Complete Supply Chain with Machinery, Logs, Chemicals, etc.
China has established a comprehensive plywood industry supply chain domestically. Local availability of critical plywood production machinery such as peeling lathes, clipping lines, dryers and hot presses avoids reliance on imports. In addition, supporting upstream sectors like adhesive, coating chemicals, tools and spare parts can all be sourced locally. Such integration on the industrial level generates efficiency.
1.4.Massive Scale with Over 1 Million Specialized Workers
Significant industry scale creates a deep talent pool and accumulation of technical expertise. It is estimated that over 1 million workers in China specialize along the plywood supply chain. The workforce includes factory technicians, equipment engineers, wood scientists, product designers etc. This provides a foundation for Chinese manufacturers to innovate and excel in certain plywood segments. The massive output volume also improves cost efficiency.
2. Reasons Behind the Low Costs
2.1.Large Plantation of Poplar Provides Cheap Core Veneers
Poplar is an important fast growing timber species farmed on plantations in northern China. It has low density and pale white color. With cultivated forests dedicated for plywood production, poplar logs can be obtained at very economical costs to make core layer veneers. Innovative peeling techniques that maximize veneer yields from small diameter poplar also help reduce expenses. Hence poplar plantation resources is pivotal in enabling low-cost plywood in China.
2.2.Importing Radiata Pine from New Zealand with Very Good Prices
Radiata pine is softwood species from New Zealand that has been widely used in structural plywood. With the plenty supply and stable relationship built over the years between China and New Zealand forestry industry, radiata pine sawlogs can be imported at very competitive prices. The sustainably managed plantation resources along with favorable shipping costs make radiata pine materials affordable for Chinese plywood mills.
2.3.Plantation Eucalyptus from South China Also Available
Fast growing eucalyptus trees are cultivated on plantations in Guangdong, Guangxi and other southern provinces in China. The annual yield of eucalyptus logs reach tens of millions cubic meters annually. As source of decorative veneers, these plantation grown hardwood timber can be obtained conveniently with reasonable prices by local plywood manufacturers. Hence supplementing cost competitive plywood materials.
3. Key Wood Species from China
3.1.Poplar - Fast Growing Plantation Tree Used for Core Layers
As mentioned previously, poplar (P. deltoides or P. ussuriensis) is the predominant fast growing plantation tree in China. Mainly farmed on dedicated plantations in northern regions, they can be harvested on short rotations to produce pale color logs of relatively low density. Such poplar timber is perfectly suited for making plywood core layer veneers due to uniformity, workability and low cost advantages.
3.2.Radiata Pine - Imported from New Zealand for Structural Layers
Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) has been imported from New Zealand in recent decades to balance out domestic softwood supplies shortage in China. With reliable supply and reasonable import prices, radiata pine plays an important role to serve as structural layers in plywood production, supplementing larch, fir and spruce materials.
3.3.Eucalyptus - A Hardwood Species for Decorative Top Layers
Eucalyptus (E. urophylla, E. grandis, E. pellita) is the main commercial hardwood plantation species grown in southern China. Offering pleasant colors, texture and surface hardness at economical prices, eucalyptus is ideal to produce face and back veneers for decorative plywood. Their abundant availability reinforces the whole plywood manufacturing sector.
4. Extra Information for Importers
Leading Plywood Manufacturers China has numerous capable plywood manufacturing exporters to choose from. Some leading large scale enterprises include Happy Wood, Kemian Wood, Shandong Shengda Wood and Guangxi Fenglin Wood. These companies focus on high grade plywood products certified by CARB, CE, JAS and other global standards.
Quality Control and Testing Methods Advanced Chinese manufacturers implement strict quality management systems during the production process. They monitor parameters like veneer grading, glue spread rate, press pressure and temperature etc. Finished panels will go through rigorous testing on formaldehyde emission, moisture content, sandwich construction, dimensional tolerance and mechanical properties before shipping.
Production Process and Factory Management The mills operate modern manufacturing lines in closed clean workshops assisted by automation. Their facilities are ISO certified or working towards such recognition. Waste gas, residue and wastewater treatment systems are installed for environmental compliance. Some plants also utilize wood residuals for biomass power generation.
Lead Time, Shipping Methods and Payment Options
For imported plywood orders, average lead time is around 30-45 days from confirmation to loading on board at Chinese ports. Shipping methods include 20ft and 40ft containerized sea freight. Safe offline payments include wire transfer, PayPal, letter of credit etc.
Post time: Dec-29-2023
