Bamboo is a fast-growing lignocellulosic material and is increasingly being used as an alternative material for producing renewable and consumer-friendly products. A study was conducted to determine the physical properties and drying behaviour of Semantan bamboo. The physical properties of Semantan bamboo varied from bottom to top. The average basic density ranged from 597 to 626 kg m-3 and volumetric shrinkage ranged from 13.5 to 15.8%. The solar-drying and air-drying times for the green bamboo culms to reach an average moisture content of approximately 12.76% to 12.98% were about 20 and 30 days, respectively.

Bamboo is a lignocellulosic material characterized by its high hygroscopicity, which refers to the ability of material to absorb and retain moisture from the surrounding environment. This attribute could adversely affect its dimensional stability and resistance against deterioration agents. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of thermal modification on the hygroscopic, mechanical, and chemical properties of three-year-old Gigantochloa scortechinii, a native and highly exploited bamboo species in Malaysia. Overall, heat treatment effectively reduced the equilibrium moisture content and improved the dimensional stability of bamboo, with samples treated at 210 °C exhibited the most significant moisture resistance of up to 95.6% anti-swelling efficiency (ASE). The heat-treated bamboo exhibited an improvement in modulus of elasticity (MOE) at intermediate temperatures (170–190 °C) whereas modulus of rupture (MOR) declined at 210 °C. Chemical analysis indicated that a significant reduction in hemicellulose content and a relative increase in α-cellulose and lignin contributed to the improved moisture resistance of heat-treated bamboo. The results demonstrate the viability of heat treatment in producing quality thermally modified bamboo as an alternative raw material for construction materials and furniture manufacturing, thereby contributing to the development of Malaysia’s bamboo industry.