Rattan Resources, Properties, Biocomposites, and Chemical Modification: A Review

Abstract

Rattan is a climbing palm and belongs to the family of Calameae. It once was the most important non-timber forest product, especially in the Southeast Asia countries. Despite being labelled as an old or ‘sunset’ industry by many industry players in the region, the rattan global market has grown stronger, with significant increases from only USD 23.4 million in 2008 to 385 million in 2020. The increasing global demand for rattan products will require a systematic selection of rattan species for optimum utilization for a quality product and service life extension. As a result of increased interest by fashion designers for rattan, especially from EU-27 countries, there is a need to understand the rattan properties such as anatomical, physical, mechanical, chemical, and resistance to fungi. This review paper also considers the rattan resource grown in plantations and natural forests, drawing upon the experiences of a certain main producer country. New product development for rattan is also highlighted in this review, including potential new markets. These may include conventional biocomposites, rattan-polymer composites, and specialty rattan products prepared by chemical modification.