Our Bamboo Fibre
Our bamboo textile, which is Viscose derived from bamboo fibres (minimum 88% bamboo, 12% polyester), is purchased from Basikdue of Italy. Tests carried out by Testex, an independent Swiss laboratory (JIS L 1902 Quantitative Test) testify to the antibacterial properties and this is confirmed by the Japanese Textile Federation that after 100 washes, the fibre fabric still possesses its antibacterial properties. The raw material bamboo is selected from pollution free regions in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, China. The plants are 3 to 4 year old new bamboo plants and the distilling and production processes are ‘green’ and pollution free. The company manufactures its bamboo fibre strictly in accordance to ISO9000 and ISO14000 Quality Standards. The fibre is natural and eco-friendly without any chemical additives.
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Oeko – Tex Standard 100 ('Confidence in textiles' mark.)
The Oeko-Tex mark guarantees that the product does not contain substances that are harmful or dangerous to human health in amounts that exceed the limits allowed by the Oeko-Tex Standards. |
Beware other suppliers who do not subscribe to this standard ...
Bamboo has become a vital source of income for rural Chinese so the pressure is on to produce more. It has been discovered recently that dangerous chemicals are used to transform the plant into liquid and then into fibres to be spun into fabric. These chemicals cause a wide range of health problems for the manufacturing workers. With no Fair Trade certification or sustainable production credentials, a nation like China rarely uses systems to help with the control or disposal of those chemicals. High demand is driving the clearing out of natural forests in order to plant more fast growing bamboo. Some growers are using fertilisers to increase yield and additional weeding and working of the land leads to increased soil erosion. China is currently the only manufacturer of bamboo fabric making it impossible to source an alternative local supply for this textile. The Chinese have hundreds of years of experience of growing bamboo although other countries are now trying to grow their own.
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- Bamboo fibre is highly biodegradable.
- The plant thrives naturally without the use of pesticides.
- Compared to viscose originating from wood, eg rayon, it has important advantages to offer having a short growth cycle and easy cultivation.
- Due to its natural structure it is very breathable and naturally highly anti-bacterial.
- Its crisscross texture which creates microscopic openings in the fibres results in exceptional moisture absorption.
- Tests have shown that bamboo absorbs 60% more moisture than cotton and dries 20% quicker than cotton.
- It has similar draping qualities to silk but is stronger and can be washed and dried and is wrinkle resistant.
- It hardly shrinks.
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