Prospect of bamboo as a renewable textile fiber, historical overview, labeling, controversies and regulation

Abstract

Innovation in textile has brought alternative plant based fibers such as bamboo into the spotlight and as a replacement to petrochemical based synthetic fibers. Bamboo as a raw material is a remarkably sustainable and versatile resource but the manufacturing process is where the debate really gets heated and the sustainability and green image of bamboo is tarnished. Products made from bamboo are often labeled as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘bio-degradable’ and ‘anti-microbial’ irrespective of their method of manufacturing. The claims may not always portray the products authenticity and true environmental impact. By far, viscose process is predominantly used to create fibers from bamboo but the properties of natural bamboo fibers in such bamboo viscose products have been lost. However, bamboo textiles are not yet achieved their full potential and cleaner production processes are appearing. With abundant sources of raw material, relatively low cost; and unique performance of bamboo fiber it is only a matter of time to develop green and pure bamboo textiles. This paper analyses the prospects of bamboo fibers providing a view on bamboo as a plant and processed fiber, facts regarding the antimicrobial properties of bamboo fibers, its chemical properties, morphology, anatomy, historical overview, patents and modern bamboo textile industry.

Morphology, density and dimensions of bamboo fibers: a bibliographical compilation

“…Bamboos have been used for centuries in several countries, especially in Asia (China, India and Thailand), Central America (Costa Rica, Mexico and Honduras) and South America (Peru, Ecuador and Colombia) (Nepal 2011, Silveira et al 2017. Some estimates indicate that bamboos may be used for at least three thousand purposes, including food (both human and animal feed), construction material and handicrafts, energy and industrial raw material in several products, such as ethanol (Kuttiraja et al 2013), composites (Chaowana 2013), panels (Liu et al 2016), textiles (Nayak & Mishra 2016) and cellulose (Tripathi et al 2018).…”

“…The main chemical components found in the inner bamboo stem are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which represent more than 90 % of the total biomass. The content of cellulose in bamboo ranges from 40 % to 60 %, not being much different from traditional wood, with 40 % to 52 % in conifers and 38 % to 56 % in angiosperms (Liese & Tang 2015, Nayak & Mishra 2016. Bamboo species present holocellulose content (cellulose + hemicellulose) ranging from 60 % to 70 % and lignin from 20 % to 30 %, and this composition may change according to the species, growth conditions, age and part of the stem (Liese 1992).…”

“…Bamboo species present holocellulose content (cellulose + hemicellulose) ranging from 60 % to 70 % and lignin from 20 % to 30 %, and this composition may change according to the species, growth conditions, age and part of the stem (Liese 1992). On the other hand, secondary chemical constituents (waxes, resins, tannins, proteins and soluble ashes) are present in small amounts (Vena et al 2013, Chaowana 2013, Liese & Tang 2015, Nayak & Mishra 2016. Due to these levels, bamboo becomes a suitable raw material for various industrial activities.…”

Recent Advancement in Physico-Mechanical and Thermal Studies of Bamboo and Its Fibers

“…[9,10]. The traditional cottage industry has been greatly benefited and it is also an appropriate source of cellulose for paper production and rayon [11]. Bamboo craft is one of the known of traditional cottage industries.…”

A Detailed Study on Environmental Sustainability in Knit Composite Industries of Bangladesh

“…Moreover, garments made from these types of fibers are likely to be not affected by chlorine bleaches and organic dyes [11]. Bamboo fiber is another better alternative collected from natural source, which is renewable and its production process does not require any hazardous chemical [21]. If designs and fabric structures require polyester then recycled polyester or recycled garments from polyesters can be better alternative to newly made polyester.…”