Bamboo Fabric
Naturally Organic - bamboo is grown without pesticides or fertilisers, unlike-conventional cotton which uses 25% of all the worlds pesticides for only 10% of the argricultural land mass. Our bamboo canes are certified organic by OClA and NOP and our bamboo yarn is Oeko-Tex 100 certified. Our organic cotton is certified by SKAL/GOTS.
Luxuriously soft -bamboo feels like silky cashmere.
Sustainable - Moso bamboo is one of the worlds fastest growing plants, growing up to a metre in a day. Bamboo is a grass, so once cut it will regenerate quickly without the need for replanting (in the same way as your garden lawn). It grows very densely and so the yield per acre is excellent in comparison to cotton.
Eco-friendly -one of the most positive things about bamboo is that it absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees. More bamboo would help to cut the globally rising levels of carbon dioxide and help in the fight against global warming.
Absorbent - bamboo absorbs up to 60% more water than cotton. This makes it an excellent choice for towels and bathrobes.
Breathable - the porous nature of the fibre makes it breathable and extremely comfortable against the skin.
Thermo-regulating - keeps the wearer warm in cool weather.
Hypoallergenic - bamboo's organic and natural properties make it non-irritating so perfect for babies extra sensitive skin.
Why do you make your clothes from bamboo?
Bamboo has many amazing properties & first and foremost it is beautifully soft. It is extremely versatile, and can be used to make knitwear that feels like cashmere, soft and durable denim, cosy blankets, snuggly bathrobes and silky-soft jersey pieces. It is a high-end luxury product. Finished bamboo fabric is hypoallergenic and thermo-regulating. It can be machine washed at 40 degrees just like cotton. (For environmental reasons we recommend you wash at 30 degrees.) Bamboo fabric is UV-resistant and completely biodegradable. Bamboo is naturally organic (it is grown organically and certified by OCIA), sustainable (the worlds fastest growing plant) and takes in 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of other plants. It is a grass, so regenerates without the need for replanting. Bamboo is rain-fed only and helps to reduce soil erosion so
overall is good for the environment.
Where is your bamboo grown and produced?
The bamboo is grown in China. There is only one facility in China that processes fibre from bamboo and they hold the patent on the process. This one facility produces ALL of the bamboo viscose on the market. The bamboo is certified organic by OCIA (The Organic Crop ImprovementAssociation). The facility is SA8000 certified. SA8000 is the first universal standard for ethical sourcing. It provides a common framework for ethical sourcing for companies of any size and any type, anywhere in the world. SA8000 sets out provisions for issues such as trade union rights, the use of child labour, working hours, health and safety at work, and fair pay. They manufacture according to the ISO 9000/9001/9004/19011: 2000 and ISO 14000/14001 guidelines and OHASA 18001. See our ethics page for more information.
How can I be sure the bamboo fibre is skin-friendly?
All of the fibre produced at the facility in China is Oeko-Tex 100 certified. This certifies that the finished fibre has been tested for any chemicals that may be harmful to a persons health and has been found to contain no trace chemicals that pose any health threat whatsoever. This means that every company working with bamboo starts with the same raw material and that this material is not contaminated. Cotton is secured from GOTS & Oeko-Tex certified suppliers who are controlled by a FAIRTRADE policy. Dyeing & Printing is also done by GOTS & Oeko-Tex certified dyers.
Is the bamboo you use grown organically?
To strictly control the quality of raw material, the bamboo production facility has built its own bamboo plantation in Sichuan Province, China and keeps strict control over it. The bamboo is grown in accordance to the international organic standard of OCIA/NOP, so as to ensure each bamboo stalk is of 100% natural growth and without any chemical pesticides. See the certification page for more details. From Spring/Summer 2009 onwards ALL of our cotton will
also be organic certified by SKAL and GOTS. What chemicals are used in the processing of bamboo in fibre?
Bamboo is a type of viscose.
- Bamboo leaves and the soft, inner pith from the hard bamboo trunk are extracted using a steaming process and then mechanically crushed
- The crushed bamboo is soaked in sodium hydroxide. A common misconception is that sodium hydroxide is a harmful chemical. If used in a responsible manner sodium hydroxide has absolutely no effect on the environment and health of workers. It is routinely used in the processing of organic cotton into fibre and is approved by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). Sodium hydroxide does not remain as a residue on clothing as it easily washes away.
- Amine Oxide (N-methyl morpholine-N-oxide) - a non-toxic and eco-friendly solvent - is added
to turn the bamboo into cellulose. - The bamboo cellulose is forced through spinneret nozzles (like a sieve) and hardened to convert the cellulose into bamboo fibre threads.
- The fibre threads are spun into bamboo yarn