Rubberwood Classification: Which Timber Group and Why It Dominates Industrial Packaging

Rubberwood is classified in Vietnam Timber Group VII - the category for lightweight species with moderate natural durability. That low rank on the construction hardness scale turns into a distinct advantage in industrial packaging: lighter pallet weight, superior nail retention, and straightforward ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment. This article explains what Group VII means in practice and why rubberwood has become the go-to raw material for export pallets, wooden crates and dunnage at ICD Viet Nam.

1. Quick answer: which timber group is rubberwood?

Under Vietnam’s official timber classification table, rubberwood is placed in Group VII.

Group VII covers species that are light, have moderate load-bearing strength in their natural state, and are susceptible to termite and fungal attack when freshly cut. On the hardness and density scale used for house frames or structural columns, rubberwood clearly cannot compare with Group I or Group II species such as ironwood or teak.

In the industrial and packaging sector, however, a Group VII classification brings specific advantages. Lower density reduces the weight of pallets and crates, cutting freight costs - especially for air cargo - while still meeting technical packaging requirements.

2. Why Group VII rubberwood dominates pallet and packaging production

Large Vietnamese exporters consistently choose rubberwood pallets over acacia or mixed-species timber. The technical reasons below explain why a species with a lower group rating outperforms harder alternatives in industrial applications.

2.1. Toughness and impact elasticity

In warehouse and logistics environments, pallets regularly absorb forklift impact and vibration during container transport. Group I species are very hard but brittle - they crack and split under sudden shock loads. Rubberwood in Group VII has a densely interlocked grain structure that gives it natural elasticity.

When a forklift tine strikes a pallet board, rubberwood absorbs and deflects the force rather than fracturing. This reduces pallet damage rates during repeated use cycles and lowers replacement costs for the operator.

2.2. Superior nail and screw retention

Nail retention is critical to pallet structural integrity. Rubberwood has a fine, dense grain that grips helical nails firmly between the deck boards and blocks. Other mixed-species timbers commonly split at the ends when nailed, or loosen over time, causing the pallet to rack and creating a risk for the cargo above. Rubberwood eliminates both failure modes and produces consistently tight joints.

2.3. ISPM 15 compliance through pressure treatment

Rubberwood feedstock at ICD Viet Nam’s manufacturing plants is put through pressure impregnation and industrial kiln drying. This process not only increases the wood’s density and hardness through chemical modification, but also eliminates termite larvae and fungal spores completely. As a result, rubberwood pallets readily achieve the ISPM 15 phytosanitary mark - the mandatory certification required for wood packaging entering markets such as the United States, the European Union and Australia.

3. Rubberwood versus other industrial timber species

The table below compares rubberwood Group VII against its two main competitors in the pallet market: pine and acacia.

Pine is valued for its appearance but costs more and carries less dynamic load than rubberwood. Acacia is hard and inexpensive but warps, splits at nail ends, and has a rough surface that abrades packaging. Rubberwood balances all factors: sufficient hardness for heavy loads, smooth enough to protect cargo, and priced to optimise logistics costs.

4. Rubberwood products manufactured by ICD Viet Nam

At ICD Viet Nam, we make full use of the physical characteristics of this Group VII species to produce high-quality industrial packaging products.

• 2-way and 4-way entry rubberwood pallets:

These are our core product range. The strong grain bond of rubberwood allows us to manufacture pallets rated for dynamic loads of 1.5 to 2 tonnes, suitable for racking systems and container stacking.

• Wooden crates and packaging boxes:

For precision machinery or electronic components requiring strict protection, kiln-dried sawn rubberwood is the ideal crating material. The wood does not exude resin (unlike some tropical species), so it cannot contaminate machinery, and a moisture content of 8-12% prevents rust on enclosed metal parts.

• Deck boards, stringers and blocks:

We also supply pre-processed rubberwood components - boards, stringers and blocks - for businesses that self-assemble packaging or use timber for dunnage inside containers, ensuring cargo is fully secured during sea freight.

5. Conclusion

Rubberwood’s Group VII classification does not diminish its value in industrial supply chains. On the contrary, the physical properties of this timber group, combined with modern treatment technology, produce an optimal packaging material.

For businesses seeking a durable pallet solution that carries heavy loads and meets export certification requirements, rubberwood is the most economical and technically sound choice available. At ICD Viet Nam, we supply rubberwood to strict quality standards, fully inspected and treated, to protect your cargo on every journey.

Related articles

Frequently asked questions about rubberwood timber classification

Contact ICD Viet Nam for rubberwood pallet and crate quotation