The production of compressed bamboo flooring, commonly known as stringboard has seen a rapid expansion in China over the past two years. Unfortunately the haste to produce larger quantities to meet the higher demand has compromised the quality of this particular bamboo flooring product.

Board failure by a combination of lack of compression/ inefficient glues and poor quality bamboo shreds has resulted in the stringboards disintegrating and pre finished coatings cracking after installation.

Recently, it has been reported, that twelve containers supplied by one Chinese manufacturer were returned from American importers and four containers from their Australian counterparts.

There are only three plants in China producing the compressed bamboo stringboards and only one plant at present producing what could be termed a superior quality product greater in strength than the other two manufacturers. This mill is a boutique producer as production is limited to approx 6000 sq metres a month of high quality flooring where quality is more important than the quantity. The highly experienced executive staff who are the pioneers of the process diligently maintain their reputation as the producer of the best boards in the world.

Peerless Bamboo Flooring marketed by Bamboo Australia Pty Ltd imports only from this mill, which provides a ten year Australian guarantee on their product. Peerless boards are easily identified; they have a minimum thickness of 15mm and come in branded boxes. Shortly all boards will be embossed with the registered trademark.

The stringboards are produced by compressing glue treated shreds of bamboo in a mould under 2000 ton pressure forming a substantial billet of solid bamboo timber. The billet is broken down into planks that are processed through trimming and shaping machines to produce the raw boards that eventually go through the finishing line to provide a coated board ready for the market.

The factory that supplies the Peerless boards is the only factory that utilizes a special glue additive before the shreds are compressed and treats the formed billets of bamboo with an additional secret process to ensure the stability and integrity of the finished boards.

Before the process starts it is essential to procure poles that older than six years which are skinned (outer green layer removed) and gutted (inner pith removed). Failure to observe either of these processes results in a faulty or discoloured board. Regretfully in the haste to produce larger volumes of flooring and beat the continual price rises the farmers are demanding for their poles some manufacturers are taking shortcuts and paying the penalty.

For buyers contemplating buying a bamboo floor, it is essential to check the pedigree of the boards.

Ask the seller the name of the manufacturer and the mill where the boards were produced.

If the supplier is unwilling to do so, shop elsewhere.

The company principal, Durnford Dart, founder of the commercial bamboo industry in Australia, is negotiating with Shire councils and the State Government and farmers to utilize redundant cane land for the growing of bamboo suitable for the production of stringboard on the Sunshine Coast, unfortunately it will take eight to ten years before a sufficient supply of bamboo is available to support this new industry and break away from the reliance of the imported product.

The technology is readily available to establish an import replacement facility that has the potential to export surplus production into world markets. Durnford is also working with the Samoan Government to establish a bamboo growing industry in their Island group.