Short answer: rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is the standard core and face timber for commercial/packing-grade plywood across South India and Southeast Asia. It is light, dimensionally stable, and cost-effective — the right choice for export packing cases, crates and general-purpose panels where you don't need the full waterproofing of marine ply. It comes in MR and BWR grades; specify MR for dry transit, BWR where humidity is a risk.
What rubberwood is
Rubberwood is the timber of the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree, harvested at the end of the tree's latex-producing life (typically around 25–30 years). It is a plantation-grown, renewable hardwood — which is part of why it dominates packing-grade plywood production in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Southeast Asia: there is a steady, managed supply.
Rubberwood has a pale, even grain, moderate density (~550–620 kg/m³), and takes glue and nails well. It is not a structural hardwood, but for packing and crating it punches well above its cost.
Rubberwood plywood grades
| Grade | Standard | Bond | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR — Moisture Resistant | IS 303 | UF (urea-formaldehyde) | Dry transit by road, rail and container; indoor use |
| BWR — Boiling Water Resistant | IS 303 | MF (melamine-fortified UF) | Humid ports, monsoon transit, longer outdoor exposure |
| BWP — Marine | IS 710 | Phenolic (WBP) | Permanent water exposure — over-specified for ordinary crating |
For most export packing cases and crates, MR or BWR is the right grade. BWP/marine rubberwood ply exists but is rarely specified for packaging; see marine plywood for those applications.
Rubberwood vs hardwood (gurjan/keruing) plywood
| Property | Rubberwood ply | Hardwood ply (gurjan/keruing) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | Moderate (~550–620 kg/m³) | High (~700–800 kg/m³) |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Strength | Good for packing | Higher — suited to structural/container flooring |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Packing cases, crates, general panels | Heavy crates, container flooring, structural boards |
If you're building light to medium export cases, rubberwood packing-grade ply is usually the most cost-efficient choice. Where the case must carry heavy structural load, a hardwood-framed design with rubberwood skin panels is common. See also what plywood for packing cases and Okoume vs gurjan.
Common thicknesses
Rubberwood packing-grade plywood runs in 6, 8, 12, 15 and 18 mm, with 19, 20, 22, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mm available occasionally against order. Sheet size is typically 8'×4' (2440×1220 mm); custom sizes including 10'×5' are made to order.
Specifying it correctly
When ordering, state: grade (MR or BWR), thickness, sheet size, and face/back appearance requirement. This offered range is MR and BWR. IS 303:2024 also includes general-purpose BWP; the complete standard and quoted construction must be confirmed, not inferred from a face species or grade label. We confirm the exact specification on your proforma invoice. See commercial / packing-grade plywood.
FAQ
Is rubberwood plywood strong enough for export crates?
Yes — rubberwood packing-grade plywood is the standard for export crating across South India and Southeast Asia. For very heavy machinery, pair it with a solid-wood hardwood frame.
What is the difference between rubberwood MR and BWR plywood?
MR (Moisture Resistant, IS 303) uses UF adhesive — for dry transit. BWR (Boiling Water Resistant, IS 303) uses a melamine-fortified bond — for humid or longer-transit conditions. Both are rubberwood core.
Is rubberwood a hardwood or softwood?
Rubberwood is a plantation hardwood (Hevea brasiliensis), but it's lighter and less dense than structural hardwoods like gurjan or keruing. It's classified as a light to medium hardwood.
Does rubberwood plywood need ISPM-15 treatment?
The plywood panels are generally exempt from ISPM-15 (manufacturing eliminates pests). Solid-wood runners and framing in the crate do require treatment. In the finished cases we supply, those parts are treated and IPPC-marked to ISPM-15 by a DPPQS-registered treatment provider where the destination requires it, and a treatment certificate is supplied where the quotation states it.
What is the standard thickness for packing-case rubberwood plywood?
The running thicknesses are 6, 8, 12, 15 and 18 mm for case panels and bases, with thicker boards from 19 to 40 mm available occasionally against order. We confirm thickness against your case load at quotation.
Need rubberwood packing ply quoted?
Send the grade (MR or BWR), thickness, quantity and destination — we'll quote FOB Cochin within one business day.