Eco Tencel T-Shirt for Women

Textiles made from bamboo - how does it work?

Bamboo has been used as a versatile material in Asia for 5000 years. Due to its longevity, adaptability and resilience, bamboo is attributed great symbolic significance in cultures such as China, India and the Philippines. There are over 1000 different species and it can grow in tropical forests, plantations or even at an altitude of 3500m. One species often used for textile production can reach a height of over 20 meters in just 50 days.

With modern techniques and the adaptation of old methods from textile production for linen, hemp & wood, bamboo fibers can be processed better and better. The cell walls of a bamboo trunk consist of approx. 50% lignin, 40% cellulose fibers and 10% vascular bundles. At the beginning, the bamboo is pulped and defibered. Almost identically to the production of wood fibers, the raw material is broken down into its individual components in order to extract the cellulose relevant for textile production. Thanks to the closed cycle in the cellulose extraction process, the chemicals used can be reused, thus minimizing the environmental impact (Lyocell). In the last decade in particular, research and development has led to ever cleaner methods. With the clinically recognized anti-bacterial, breathable and cooling qualities of the material, it has great potential for use not only in the textile industry. It also has excellent properties for reforestation and the reduction of CO2 emissions.