Yarn with many properties is prized for being breathable, hypoallergenic and antibacterial ...
The textile industry is increasingly looking for sustainable fibers, among them bamboo is among the most in demand. A versatile fiber with many properties, sustainable for the environment and beneficial for humans, it is destined to be one of the most widely used fibers in the future in multiple fields from furniture production to musical instruments to textiles.
The bamboo plant (Dracaena sanderiana), typical of South America and Southeast Asia, has been known and used for more than 5,000 years. A renewable resource that is grown without waste.
Bamboo grows quickly reaching maturity in 3-4 years, grows up to 40 meters in height thus occupying less arable land than cotton for the same amount of textile fiber extracted. It is then characterized by a large yield, higher than other crops: 60 tons of raw material can be obtained from one hectare of bamboo, compared to two tons produced by one hectare of conventional cotton. It also requires about a third of the amount of water needed by the cotton plant, has no natural pests so it is grown without the use of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides). It regenerates the soil and absorbs high amounts of carbon dioxide, turning it into oxygen.
Processing and extraction of bamboo fiber takes place in producing countries, then it is imported Europe and processed by local industries, covering a multitude of industrial and commercial sectors.
Bamboo fiber is obtained from the reed pulp, which is extracted from the bamboo stem through the process of hydrolysis-alkalizing and multiphase bleaching.
Bamboo fibers are processed chemically or mechanically, in the former case "bamboo rayon" or "bamboo viscose" then a synthetic fiber is obtained, while with the mechanical processing process a "bamboo flax" is obtained. The chemical process is the most widely used because it is more economical. Mechanical processing, on the other hand, is more expensive but more sustainable: it involves crushing the woody parts of the plant treated with natural enzymes (in a process similar to that of hemp), which transforms the organic residues into a kind of mush from which bamboo flax will then be obtained.
The yarn obtained from the processing of bamboo cellulose is used to make various garments. Often blended with other fabrics, excellent in combination with organic cotton, it gives clothing a bright and soft touch.
Due to the special molecular structure rich in micro pads, bamboo garments are very light and breathable, tend to collect moisture from the skin by turning it into vapor, and thanks to this characteristic they are suitable for all seasons. Bamboo fiber is usually very elastic, so much so that garments made from 100% bamboo fabric do not need to be blended with elastic fibers such as elastane.
A unique feature of bamboo fiber is its natural anti-bacterial quality, due to Bamboo Kun, an anti-microbial agent in the fiber that helps reduce bacteria that thrive in fabrics and consequently on our skin, with a natural deodorizing function.
Bamboo clothing also creates a shield against UV rays by helping to protect against the sun. Textiles made of bamboo find wide use, from underwear to costumes to pillow and mattress covers. Its softness, combined with its breathable and temperature-regulating properties, also make it the yarn of choice for mothers for baby clothing.
Many people raise doubts about the total sustainability of bamboo yarn production, both during cultivation and processing.
In intensive cultivation, although the plant does not require pesticides these could still be used or, given the high demand, the crops could be grown in specially deforested areas. Finally, criticism concerns the chemical transformation process, which uses strong solvents that are harmful to humans and the environment.
However, the production of bamboo viscose takes place in a closed loop, all chemicals are in fact reused and not thrown away as is the case with the production of other viscoses. Over time, greener processing methods have since been developed based on non-toxic agents and enzymes that can be reused over and over again.
Bamboo fiber is biodegradable, and garments with the Confidence in textiles label are certified as environmentally friendly in both processes and factories, as well as tested for harmful substances.
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