The Core — Structural Materials
Beautiful joinery is only as good as the board beneath it. Every Arimokko build can be specified on Panel K — a mineral-core plywood that is Singapore Green Label certified, tested by TÜV SÜD to near-zero formaldehyde, termite-resistant, marine-grade against moisture, and fire-rated for wall and ceiling use.
So the cabinetry that looks flawless on day one is built to stay that way — through the heat, the humidity, and the years.
The material
The most important surface in your home is the one you'll never see. Behind every door and drawer front sits the carcass — the structural core that decides whether your cabinetry survives a decade of Singapore's heat, humidity and hidden termites. Most studios treat it as an afterthought. We don't.
Panel K (the Tianke / tk Series Multi-functional Plywood, made by Foshan Yuankui Decorative Material Co., Ltd) is a mineral-modified plywood: eucalyptus timber (~65%) bonded with a magnesium-mineral matrix (~35%) instead of conventional formaldehyde glue.
That single fact is the root of the whole story — the mineral binder is what makes it resist fire, water and termites while emitting almost no formaldehyde into the air your family breathes.
The evidence
Every claim on this page traces back to a third-party certificate. Here is the honest fact base.
| Property | What the certificate shows | Who tested it |
|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 0.01 mg/m³ — about 1/10 of the Singapore Green Label limit | TÜV SÜD PSB (Singapore) |
| Toxic substances | Heavy metals, phthalates, flame-retardants, solvents, phenols — Not Detected | TÜV SÜD PSB (Singapore) |
| Singapore Green Label | Certified ecolabel (SGLS 032), ISO 14024 Type 1. Valid to Oct 2027. | Singapore Environment Council |
| Termite resistance | Termite survival 0.4% vs 52.4% on untreated pine — ~10× more resistant | Guangdong Forest Products Testing (GB/T 18260) |
| Water / moisture | Marine-grade bonding retained after 24-hr water immersion (Level 3) | Beijing ZKGX (BS 1088:2018) |
| Fire | Class 2 surface spread of flame + Singapore Certificate of Conformity for wall/ceiling use (to 2031) | TÜV SÜD PSB (BS 476 Pt 6 & 7) |
Why it matters here
In independent testing (GB/T 18260), termites failed to survive on Panel K — 0.4% survival versus 52.4% on untreated pine — and the board lost roughly ten times less material. Termite-resistant, not indestructible, but dramatically better than ordinary timber.
GB/T 18260 · Guangdong Forest Products Testing
TÜV SÜD PSB measured formaldehyde emission at just 0.01 mg/m³ — roughly a tenth of the Singapore Green Label limit of 0.1 mg/m³. Heavy metals, phthalates, flame-retardants and solvents were also screened and not detected.
TÜV SÜD PSB Singapore · Singapore Green Label (SGLS 032)
Marine-grade bonding (BS 1088:2018, Level 3) holds after 24 hours of full water immersion. Made for wet kitchens, humid air, and the realities of a Singapore home.
BS 1088:2018 · Beijing ZKGX
Class 2 surface spread of flame under BS 476 Part 6 and Part 7, with a valid Singapore Certificate of Conformity for wall and ceiling use through 2031. Not fireproof — but genuinely fire-retardant versus ordinary timber, and officially listed.
TÜV SÜD PSB · BS 476 Pt 6 & 7 · Singapore CoC to 2031
Precision in language
Every claim we make is backed by a certificate. We are precise because precision is honest — and because Singapore's advertising and green-labelling rules require it.
We say
"Independently tested by TÜV SÜD to just 0.01 mg/m³ formaldehyde — about a tenth of the Singapore Green Label limit."
We never say
"Formaldehyde-free" / "zero formaldehyde"
We say
"Singapore Green Label certified — verifiable on the SEC public register."
We never say
"Eco-friendly" with no reference
We say
"Termite-resistant: in independent testing, termites failed to survive on Panel K and it lost ~10× less material than untreated timber."
We never say
"Termite-proof" / "termites cannot touch it"
We say
"Marine-grade water resistance (BS 1088) — built for wet kitchens and humid tropics."
We never say
"Waterproof" / "never swells"
We say
"Fire-rated Class 2 and certified for wall & ceiling use in Singapore."
We never say
"Class 0" / "fireproof" / "non-combustible"
Common questions
A mineral-core plywood — eucalyptus timber bonded with a magnesium-mineral matrix instead of conventional formaldehyde glue. That mineral core is what makes it resist fire, water and termites while emitting almost no formaldehyde.
Yes. In independent laboratory testing (GB/T 18260), termites failed to survive on Panel K — 0.4% survival, versus 52.4% on untreated pine — and the board lost about ten times less material. It is termite-resistant, not indestructible, but it dramatically outperforms ordinary timber.
It carries the Singapore Green Label, and TÜV SÜD measured its formaldehyde emission at 0.01 mg/m³ — roughly a tenth of the Green Label limit. Heavy metals, phthalates and solvents were screened and not detected.
Yes. It meets marine-grade bonding (BS 1088) for moisture resistance, and it is fire-rated Class 2 with a Singapore Certificate of Conformity for wall and ceiling use.
Specify it in your build
Ask us to specify Panel K in your kitchen or wardrobe build. We'll walk you through the certifications, the material samples, and exactly what it means for your home.