In order to use effectively the core after utilizing the bark in a kenaf plant, the degradation characteristics and enzymatic saccharification of steam exploded core were studied experimentally. The effects of the steam explosion on the modification of kenaf core, i.e. shape and size, pH, amounts of organic acids produced, and amounts of extracted components, were examined under various conditions. The saccharification of exploded kenaf core at a steam pressure of 2.5 MPa and a steaming time of 3 min was about 0.6; this suggests that about 85% of the holocellulose (hemicellulose and cellulose) contained in the kenaf core was converted into reducing sugars.