Because of its quick growth, bamboo is an ideal sustainable source of raw material. The harvest of bamboo has minimal impact on its surrounding environment. Its inherent insect-resistant properties render pesticides needless. Bamboo does not require replanting after harvesting because its vast root networks continually sprout new shoots, which pull in carbon dioxide and convert it to new growth. This elaborate root system makes agricultural tending using diesel-emitting equipment to plant seeds and till soil unnecessary. Plus, growing bamboo improves soil quality and helps rebuild eroded soil.
Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal due to the unique bacteriostatic agent in bamboo plants called "bamboo kun." The bamboo kun in the bamboo fiber stops odor-producing bacteria from growing and spreading, allowing for a more hygienic, fresher smelling fabric. It is 100% biodegradable and can be completely decomposed by micro-organisms and sunlight. It will not decompose into any pollutants such as methane gas, a common by-product of decomposition in landfills. Bamboo fibers absorb dyestuffs faster than cotton and viscose, resulting in less water use during the dying process.
Bamboo fiber is made of cellulose produced by the plant. The yarn is produced in a process like a rayon (viscose) yarn. The first step is to harvest the bamboo. Next, the wooden parts of the stem are used and cut into smaller pieces, which is where the bamboo cellulose is found. This bamboo-cellulose is made into a powder. Following this, the powder is chemically split up to a cellulose- pulp and then spun to a filament. Finally, the bamboo filaments are cut into the required length from which various types of yarns are spun.
Brentano's bamboo yarn is dyed and woven in facilities that comply with
Oeko-Tex or environmental protection policies in Europe.
Bamboo fabrics are not only very strong, but also have a beautiful luster that allows them to avoid the chemical baths needed to mercerize cotton.
The dyes used for our
Bamboo Cloth are
Oeko-Tex 100 compliant. One of the most well known and successful environmental tests, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 evaluates and screens for any harmful substances present in processed textiles. Founded in 1992, it is an international testing and certification system for textiles with branches in more than 40 countries worldwide. Oeko-Tex uses the latest scientific findings to continually update criteria. For more information, please visit
www.oeko-tex.com.