Wood In Architecture Issue 1, 2022

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY
4
1 Collection stage of
processing chopsticks to
become panels
2 Sorting stage
3 Once sorted, the
chopsticks are ready to
be pressed
4 Office desk and table
setups
5 ChopValue SG also does
customised orders, like
trophies and awards
6 Cheeseboard and
butcher block
5
air-conditioned for 24 hours before further
processing. Finally, after the panels cool down
and normalise to the environment, they are
planed to the required thickness and formatted
in 7x7-inch tiles.
Where strength and durability of the raw
material are concerned, Hew explained
that despite it being made entirely out of
used disposable chopsticks, the ChopValue
Natural Microfibre Performance Material is a
“highly densified, solid composite material”
made from compressed, resin infused urban
harvested lignocellulose-based fibres.
“It is strong than oak, harder than maple and
as durable as teak,” she said.
6
To further demonstrate the quality of the
material, ChopValue SG conducts two hardness
tests – the Janka hardness and Brinell scale –
to demonstrate the material’s robustness. The
Janka test measures the resistance of a sample
of wood to denting and wear, and likewise,
the Brinell scale measures the hardness of
materials with an indenter. The results found
were 2,450 on the Janka test and 90N/mm 2 on
the Brinell scale, according to Hew.
Currently, ChopValue SG’s range of products
includes wall décor, phone and tablet stands,
tables and desks, coasters, cheese and
charcuterie boards, among others. Besides
these ready-made items, they also manage
customised projects such as rebuilding wall
panels, decorative pieces and corporate
gifts. WIA
WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 1 – 2022 43