Ayous (Obeche): The Lightweight and Versatile Solution for Interior Constructions
Ayous (also known as Obeche or Wawa) is one of the most popular species of tropical timber from West Africa, highly sought after for its extremely low weight and uniform, creamy-white appearance. Due to its soft nature and the absence of prominent grain, it serves as a “white canvas” for manufacturers, offering limitless possibilities for processing and finishing.
Technical Characteristics & Properties
Ayous stands out for its lightness and impressive dimensional stability:
Average Weight: 380 kg/m³
Bending Strength: 52 MPa
Crushing Strength: 30 MPa
Stability & Shrinkage: It possesses extremely low volumetric shrinkage (3.6%) and Radial shrinkage of 2.9%, with a T/R index of 1.7. This makes it one of the most stable woods, with minimal warping tendencies.

Uses & Applications
The ease with which Ayous can be worked makes it ideal for:
Interior Architectural Applications: Ideal for wall and ceiling cladding, as its low weight facilitates installation.
Picture Frames: The number one choice for manufacturing frames (for artwork or mirrors) due to the precision it offers in cutting and its smooth surface for painting.
Furniture Making: Used in interior furniture parts, sofa frames, and decorative elements that require a lightweight material.
Saunas: Due to its low thermal conductivity and the absence of resin, it is frequently used in sauna linings.