The Manufacturing Process
Wicker, cane and rattan are essentially the same – spiny climbing palms that can attain lengths of over 185 meters as they reach for sunlight through the jungle canopy.
Rattan and cane can be challenging collect to harvest. After gathering the raw material there is quite a lengthy process before it turns into a beautiful piece of rattan products. The wicker after collections is boiled in water to kill off any creatures or insects that might still be alive from the jungle.
The canes are then ready to be peeled and stripped of outer skin. Often with much cheaper rattan products, cane is used unpeeled, which has quite a rough bumpy finish. For a much more attractive and quality finish, the skin is peeled. Firstly this is done by hand, to get rid of big pieces and then by machine, which strips the edges and leaves a smooth rounded pole. The lengths of cane are then graded according to thickness and age. Our own rattan products manufacturers use only the best grades of cane, producing top quality and long last rattan products.
The lengths of cane are then put into large troughs of shallow water which is heated from underneath by coals or placed in a sort of steaming oven, until the canes are flexible and supple. The cane poles are then joined by binding with strips of leather or rattan.
The thinner pieces of cane that are used for weaving are called ‘rattan core’, these are often used for intricate designs and very creative areas. This is a highly specialized skill – a beautiful and neatly woven piece of rattan products can really be a work of art.
Before the wicker rattan products is colored, a final stage has to be carried out. Rattan and cane has fine hairs that need to be removed. They can be first sanded and then any awkward ones can literally be plucked off with tweezers.
Wicker rattan products is then finished with a single color wash, or lacquer. This is done simply by hanging the frames and then spraying or dipping. To complete the process a lacquer is applied to give a matt or gloss finish. Once dry, the wicker rattan products is then carefully packed for protection, prior to shipping to the end buyers.
Importantly the harvesting of rattan in the forests of south
The good news is that rattan is a promising crop because it grows very fast – in areas that cannot support other land products, for example those that remain under flood waters for long periods of time.
The real beauty of cane is that as far as conservation issues are concerned is that rattan can only grow among existing trees, so it can be claimed to encourage the preservation of forests. It ‘hugs’ the trees and saves them from the logger’s axe by providing equal or more benefit than the companion tree, without disturbing the natural habitat.
Ecologically, rattan is very important. It grows in degraded forests and in marginal soil. It also be introduced artificially in natural forests without disturbing the existing structure and balance.
Wicker and rattan are a very strong and durable material is an ideal resource for creating beautiful cane rattan products, that’s easy to care for and will give much pleasure.
The source and environmental benefits relating to rattan are very important to our living. They offer an excellent quality product, which also reflected in the service they provide. INDOBAR place great emphasis in ensuring these standards achieved throughout the entire process, from the sourcing of the best raw materials to delivery of a quality piece of beautiful rattan products, into the home of one of their customers.
