Balsa specializes in the design and production of objects made from natural rattan, not only because we love its very special and characteristic personality, but also for being one of the most sustainable materials in furniture production: it is renewable, it has a low-impact production It is recyclable and helps prevent deforestation of rainforests.
Rattan is a wild plant fiber classified as a palm, from the Calamoideae subfamily. In sight, it is a liana with thorns, clings to the trees and can reach 200 meters long. Sometimes rattan is confused with bamboo, but they are two very different plants: rattan is fibrous, full and flexible, bamboo is fibrous, hollow and rigid.
Rattan is essential to the tropical ecosystem as it clings to trees and becomes a communication cable for other plants and animals. In the world there are 13 known types of rattan, with almost 600 varieties in total; the Calamus genus only represents almost 400 varieties.
Why we love Rattan?
Renewable resource:
Rattan grows back in just 5-7 years, making it a genuine renewable resource. Rattan rods are similar to bamboo, although they are stronger in that they have a solid core.
Low-impact production:
Rattan furniture manufacture is low-tech, which means that it does not require chemicals or excessive energy consumption.
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