What Is Bamboo Fibre & Why Is It An Eco Choice?

If you're looking for a fashion-forward and sustainable fabric option, consider bamboo fibre, which was first produced in countries in East Asia. However, only a few are sold on the idea of wearing bamboo as a shirt and fear that it will be just another fad. Times are changing, though, and soon you will be catering to the younger generation who highly prefer eco-friendly products and are most likely to make sustainability-first buying decisions, according to research. So yes, your company should prepare for its future customers. One approach to win over Millennials or Gen Z is eco-friendly promotional products like those made of bamboo.

What is Bamboo Fibre?

Bamboo fibre comes from bamboo plants and can be made into bamboo fabric. There are two types of bamboo fibre: viscose and rayon bamboo fibre. The bamboo pulp that has undergone chemical treatment makes rayon, whereas regenerated cellulose is used to make viscose bamboo fibre. On the other hand, there is a more eco-friendly way to produce bamboo fibre, and that is through mercerization using natural enzymes. Then the bamboo fibre is spun into yarn and later woven into a fabric.

Is Bamboo Fabric Better Than Cotton?

Both materials are eco-friendly, but cotton no doubt wins the popularity contest. So what differentiates the two, and how does bamboo stack against cotton as a viable fabric alternative? Here's the comparison of the two based on Fibre2Fashion's article:

Quality	Cotton	Bamboo
Strong Abrasion Resistance	✔	✔
Strength	✔	✔
Absorbency	100%	300%
Hypoallergenic	✔	✔
Machine-washable	✔	✔
Machine-dryable	✔	X
Resiliency	X	✔
Luster	X	✔
Elasticity	X	✔
Pesticide-free crop	X	✔
UV Protected	X	✔
Antibacterial	X	✔
Insulation	X	✔
Moisture Wicking	X	✔
Soft	X	✔
Enriches the soil	X	✔
Biodegradable	X	✔

As you can see, your promotional budget will never go into waste with bamboo fabric products. It is more resilient, absorbent, lustrous, elastic, and softer than cotton. Moreover, bamboo fibre has other qualities that cotton doesn't have like it’s UV-resistant, anti-bacterial, and biodegradable. The elasticity of bamboo is significantly higher than that of cotton. Also, it has moisture-wicking and insulating properties. Lastly, the cultivation of bamboo improves the quality of the soil, but cotton production damages it.

Bamboo Fabric Applications

Here are the different uses of bamboo fabric:

Intimate apparel like socks, underwear, t-shirts, bathing suits, bath robes, and sleepwear.
Sanitary napkins, face masks, food-grade packaging, etc.
Medical supplies and sanitary materials such as gauze, bandages, sanitary towels, absorbent pads, etc.
Bedroom uses like comforters, sheets, pillows, mattresses, tablecloths, etc.
Bathroom uses such as hand towels, washcloths, body towels, bath rugs, etc.

Is Bamboo Fabric A Green Textile?

The source of the fibre or fabric, which is bamboo, is what makes it environmentally favourable. And here are the reasons why:

Renewable. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. It can thrive in locations that are unsuitable for other crops, matures very quickly, and is remarkably simple to grow. It is called bamboo grass for a reason!
Helps reduce pollution. Bamboo plants increase oxygen levels and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by up to 35%. Additionally, they consume a lot of nitrogen, which reduces water pollution.
Safe for the planet. Unlike other crops, bamboo may be harvested and replanted without damaging the surrounding forest.
Affordable to grow. Bamboo can be grown without pesticides and with a small amount of water.
Decomposable. Decomposition of bamboo fibre does not release any harmful gases into the environment.

Make An Eco-Friendly Choice With Custom Bamboo Fabric Products

It is little wonder that promotional products made of bamboo are all the rage these days, even for younger peeps. Considering bamboo fabric possesses remarkable properties and that bamboo as a plant is good for the environment. Plus, the bamboo cloth is so versatile it can be transformed into virtually any product you can think of! Are you ready to put your brand out there through branded bamboo fabric products? Let our friendly and experienced sales team help you! Call us at (+64) 09 8012899 or email [email protected].

References:
https://www.bamboogrove.com/uses-bamboo-fabric.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509515300048#:~:text=Bamboo%20development%20reduces%20pollution%3B%20its,and%20villages%20from%20washing%20ceaselessly.
https://www.textilesphere.com/2020/09/bamboo-fiber.html
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/3842/benefits-of-bamboo-fabric
https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/bamboo-fabric-sustainable-or-hype/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/generation-z-sustainability-lifestyle-buying-decisions/#:~:text=Generation%20Z%20shows%20the%20most,decisions%2C%20according%20to%20new%20research.