Okoume plywood (also known as Okume, Gaboon, or Gaboon plywood) is a lightweight, high-quality engineered wood panel made primarily from veneers of the Okoume tree (Aucoumea klaineana), a tropical hardwood native to Central Africa.

It is widely valued for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, smooth surface, attractive appearance, and good workability. Full Okoume (all layers of Okoume) is especially prized in marine applications, while Okoume-faced versions (Okoume faces/backs with other cores such as poplar, eucalyptus, or mixed) serve furniture, interior, and commercial uses.

Notably, this plywood is about 8%-12% lighter than standard plywood. As a result, it is the lightest of all marine-grade plywood types, often also spelled “Okume.”

• Lightweight and Strong: Okoume plywood offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, perfect for projects where reduced weight is essential, such as boat building and aircraft interiors.
• Marine-Grade Quality: Its natural water resistance makes okoume plywood a top choice for yachts, kayaks, and other watercraft.
• Smooth Finish: The fine, uniform texture allows for easy painting, staining, and laminating, fitting various styles from modern to classic.
• Eco-Friendly: Sourced sustainably,It provides a green, aesthetically pleasing option for eco-conscious builders.
• Color and grain: Light pink to reddish-brown (darkens with age), with a straight or slightly interlocked/ribbon-like grain and fine, even texture

• Marine and Boats:Hulls, decks, interiors of yachts, racing boats, kayaks, canoes (especially BS 1088 marine grade for its lightness and water resistance when sealed/epoxied).Lightweight and water-resistant, ideal for marine-grade applications.
• Furniture and Cabinetry: Lightweight cabinets, drawers, panels, joinery.Smooth and durable, perfect for high-quality furniture and cabinets.
• Interior Walls and Decor:Wall panels, ceilings, feature walls, doors. Adds a refined look to interior spaces with its natural light color and even grain.
• Transportation: RV/van conversions, aircraft interiors, racing car components (weight savings are critical).

• Full/Marine Okoume plywood: All-Okoume veneers, void-free or minimal voids, WBP phenolic glue. Often manufactured to BS 1088 (British Standard for marine plywood) and sometimes Lloyd’s Register approved. Ideal for high-moisture environments.
• Commercial/Okoume-faced plywood: Okoume face and back with poplar, eucalyptus, or combi cores; glues such as MR, Melamine, E0/E1, or CARB P2. More economical for interior use.
• Common grades: BB/BB, BB/CC, etc.