BALTEK® is a structural core material made of a natural, renewable resource - balsa wood. The balsa tree (Ochroma pyramidale) is the fastest growing tree in the world: a seedling will grow into a straight-trunked tree with a height of up to 30 m and a diameter of approximately 45 cm in only 5 to 7 years. The balsa tree combines various special features: Quick growth: ready to harvest after 5 to 7 years Low medium density High insulating properties High weight-specific mechanical properties Very little energy is required to process natural balsa wood into structural end-grain core material. Mature trees are felled, cut into squared timber or stripped as veneer, and dried in the oven. The balsa wood is then sorted by quality, physical features, and specific density, and glued to form large blocks. These blocks are cut into end-grain sheets and then processed into one of the many available product sizes.