MANILA, Philippines - The Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has designed a low-cost digital wood moisture meter that would benefit the local furniture industry.
The FPRDI’s digital moisture meter, an improved version of the analog resistance type, can measure wood moisture content (MC) within six to 30 percent.
The MC is displayed automatically and can be read without adjusting any selector switches, the institute said.
“The invention is expected to make the local furniture and handicraft industries globally competitive, ensuring the production of quality products which largely require materials with proper MC,” it added.
Excessive moisture, according to the FPRDI, could cause major problems in the finished products.
It said the moisture meter is the fastest and most convenient device to determine the MC. However, owners of small and medium furniture and handicraft enterprises in the country could not afford the imported device.
The FPRDI said some imported moisture meters are cheaper, but their spare parts are not available in the country.
“Also, since these meters are calibrated for foreign wood species, their readings may not be that reliable when used on local woods. Calibrating them for local use is time-consuming and costly, about P1,500 to P2,000 per species. Thus, there is a need to develop a cheaper moisture meter calibrated for local species,” it said.
According to reports, the Philippine furniture sector currently comprises about 15,000 manufacturers, mostly small and medium enterprises, with large companies accounting for only two percent.
The industry employs 800,000 workers, including manufacturers, subcontractors and suppliers.
In 2008, the Philippines ranked 36th among furniture exporters worldwide, with total shipments amounting to $260 million as of 2007, according to the National Statistics Office.
Filipino furniture manufacturers are known for creating classic designs with a modern touch from natural elements such as stone, wood, shell, and coconut.
In terms of the number of exporters, Pampanga still leads among the seven provinces in Central Luzon with 52 exporters. The average share of Pampanga of the region’s total exports reached 88 percent from 2000 to 2005.
The Philippines exports furniture products to the United States, Japan, Great Britain, Australia, Europe, and the rest of Asia.