Rubber Wood Weight per Cubic Meter: Green vs Kiln-Dried Weight Table

Rubber wood (rubberwood) weighs 700-800 kg/m3 when freshly cut and green, falling to 550-650 kg/m3 once kiln-dried to the standard 12-15% moisture content. Knowing the correct figure prevents overloaded trucks, helps calculate how many pallets fit inside a 40-ft container within the weight limit, and lets buyers verify at goods receipt whether wood supplied has actually been dried to specification.

1. Direct answer: how many kg does 1 m3 of rubber wood weigh?

The weight of rubber wood depends entirely on moisture content. Two processing states give two different reference figures.

1.1. Green rubber wood (freshly cut)

Weight: 700-800 kg/m3.

This is wood taken straight from the plantation before any heat treatment. The wood cells are still saturated with latex and free water, making the timber heavy and prone to mold. This figure is used by plantation owners and timber traders to calculate truck payload when hauling raw logs from the grove to the sawmill.

1.2. Kiln-dried rubber wood

Weight: 550-650 kg/m3 (at 12-15% moisture content).

This is the figure procurement and logistics teams need. After passing through an industrial kiln, free water is removed and the weight drops significantly. The timber becomes dimensionally stable, lighter, and mechanically stronger in compression. Using kiln-dried wood reduces the net weight of each shipment unit, cutting freight costs on every run.

2. Why does rubber wood density matter?

Knowing the kg/m3 figure is not just a technical detail - it is a direct cost variable for the business.

• Freight cost calculation: Accurate density lets you select the right truck class. A wrong figure may result in overload fines or wasted spend on oversized vehicles that carry far less than their rated capacity.
• Maximising pallet count per container: A standard 40-ft container typically has a cargo weight limit of around 28 tonnes. If pallets are made from green or under-dried wood, the pallet tare weight consumes a large share of that allowance, leaving less room for product. Kiln-dried rubber wood pallets from ICD free up payload capacity, letting you load more product in each shipment.

3. Rubber wood weight compared with other pallet timbers

All figures below are for kiln-dried timber at 12% moisture content.

Rubber wood sits in the middle of this range - heavier than pine but lighter than acacia - which is exactly what makes it the preferred choice for export pallets. It delivers enough structural strength for sea-freight stacking while keeping tare weight low enough to protect freight budgets.

4. Formula: calculating the weight of one rubber wood pallet

This calculation is useful for warehouse staff and procurement officers who need to verify incoming pallets quickly. A pallet that is significantly heavier than expected is a reliable sign that the wood was not dried to the required moisture level.

Formula: Pallet weight = Total volume of timber slats (m3) x Specific density (600 kg/m3)

Worked example for a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet:

A standard rubber wood pallet at this footprint typically contains a total timber volume of 0.03 to 0.04 m3. Multiplying by the average specific density gives a finished pallet weight of approximately 18-25 kg, depending on whether the deck boards are 15 mm or 20 mm thick.

Practical note: The lighter the pallet - while still meeting rigidity and load-bearing requirements - the more freight cost savings it delivers per shipment, particularly on long-haul export runs.

5. Summary

All rubber wood used by ICD is kiln-treated in industrial drying chambers to reach the standard 12-15% moisture content. This does more than reduce weight: it stabilises the timber dimensionally so pallets do not warp, crack, or attract termites during long storage or transit. If you are evaluating pallet options for export packaging, contact ICD for details on kiln-dried rubber wood pallets and to receive a freight-optimised specification for your load.

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Frequently asked questions about rubber wood weight

1. How much does 1 m3 of rubber wood weigh?

Green rubber wood (freshly cut) weighs 700-800 kg/m3. Kiln-dried rubber wood at 12-15% moisture content weighs 550-650 kg/m3. The kiln-dried figure is the one used for logistics and pallet weight calculations.

2. Why is kiln-dried rubber wood lighter than green wood?

Green wood cells are saturated with latex and free water. Industrial kiln drying removes this moisture, reducing weight by 100-250 kg per cubic metre while improving dimensional stability and mechanical strength.

3. How heavy is a standard rubber wood pallet?

A 1200 x 1000 mm rubber wood pallet made from kiln-dried timber typically weighs 18-25 kg depending on deck board thickness (15 mm or 20 mm). The formula is: total timber volume (m3) x 600 kg/m3.

4. How does rubber wood compare to pine and acacia in weight?

Kiln-dried pine weighs 450-500 kg/m3, rubber wood 550-650 kg/m3, and acacia 650-750 kg/m3. Rubber wood sits between the two, offering structural strength suitable for sea-freight stacking while keeping pallet tare weight lower than acacia.

5. How can I tell if a pallet has been properly kiln-dried?

Weigh a sample pallet and compare it with the formula result using 600 kg/m3. A pallet significantly heavier than the calculated value indicates excess moisture - a sign the drying process did not reach the 12-15% moisture target.

6. Does rubber wood weight affect container loading capacity?

Yes. A 40-ft container has a cargo weight limit of around 28 tonnes. Pallets made from under-dried wood are heavier and consume more of that allowance, leaving less payload for product. Properly kiln-dried pallets free up capacity and lower freight cost per unit shipped.