It's hard to imagine that the entire bamboo plant - including both its leaves and tall, woody stalks, can be transformed into soft, silky fabric.
Among the 1,250 species of bamboo, 1,000 are found in the tropics. China has the highest number of bamboo species and is the largest bamboo-producing country in the world. Bamboo is an amazing, fast-growing crop that can be easily grown organically without damaging the environment.
It is used for a wide variety of commercial uses, including:
- Food: its shoots are edible and widely exported
- Construction: the wood is used in construction as a substitute for timber
- Decoration: the wood is crafted into items that are used both outdoors and indoors as decoration
- Clothing: the fibers are processed to create a silky-soft fabric
Bamboo intended for the fabric market is harvested at about 4-5 years after planting. The fabric itself has the feeling of silk, but is much more affordable. It is also simpler to care for, as it is wrinkle-resistant and dries quickly. It also has natural anti-bacterial and SPF components, making it an excellent choice for baby clothes.
There are two kinds of bamboo fibers: the degummed natural bamboo fiber and the regenerated bamboo fiber. The degummed natural bamboo fiber is a natural extract without any chemical additive. This kind of fiber is easily identified through a fiber analysis and is claimed to be a non-cotton vegetable fiber. The regenerated bamboo fiber is produced through chemical processes of its pulp and pectin and spun into a fiber, resulting in a wrinkle-free fiber similar to rayon or modal. A regenerated bamboo fiber is classified as a man-made fiber.
Regenerated fibers are processed either mechanically or chemically.
Mechanical Processing
In mechanical processing, the woody parts of the bamboo plant are crushed and its natural enzymes are used to produce a mushy mass where fibers are combed out and spun into a yarn. The product is a bamboo fabric or bamboo linen. This process is eco-friendly and is similar to the manufacture of linen fabric from flax and hemp.
Chemical Processing
This is the most common process for regenerated bamboo fiber. This involves "cooking" the fiber with chemicals to create a form of regenerated cellulose fiber that can be turned into thread that can be woven into fabrics. All the parts of the bamboo trunk and its leaves are used for making a bamboo fabric. The plant undergoes the process of extraction and crushing in a mixture of chemicals and is converted into threads.
The most environmentally-friendly manner in which to process bamboo fiber is the Lyocell process, which has been praised for being more sustainable than other commonly-used chemical process. Lyocell shares many properties with other cellulosic fibers such as cotton, linen, ramie and rayon. The N- methylmorpholine-N-oxide chemicals used in the Lyocell process are non-toxic and are safer for humans. During production, 99.5% of the chemicals are captured in a closed-loop container and are recyclable. Minimal amounts of the chemicals are released to the atmosphere, waste water and products.
New technology is currently being developed to add another option to bamboo processing methods called Greenyarn", which involves using chemicals to create nano particles of bamboo charcoal that are then woven into fabrics. There is limited literature available to support the actual and entire process using this technology.
The most commonly-used chemical process involves the use of carbon disulfide. In this process, the bamboo is crushed and the moisture content of the bamboo material is set to be more than 65%. The output forms alkali cellulose which is sulfurized through the carbon disulfide chemical added to it. This process turns the cellulose into gel which is then diluted with sodium hydroxide. This produces a viscose solution that is passed through nozzles and into another chemical solution where it hardens and is reconverted into thread and spun into fabric. By Virginia Ginsburg
Kamis, 18 Desember 2008
How Bamboo Fiber is Created
It's hard to imagine that the entire bamboo plant - including both its leaves and tall, woody stalks, can be transformed into soft, silky fabric.
Among the 1,250 species of bamboo, 1,000 are found in the tropics. China has the highest number of bamboo species and is the largest bamboo-producing country in the world. Bamboo is an amazing, fast-growing crop that can be easily grown organically without damaging the environment.
It is used for a wide variety of commercial uses, including:
- Food: its shoots are edible and widely exported
- Construction: the wood is used in construction as a substitute for timber
- Decoration: the wood is crafted into items that are used both outdoors and indoors as decoration
- Clothing: the fibers are processed to create a silky-soft fabric
Bamboo intended for the fabric market is harvested at about 4-5 years after planting. The fabric itself has the feeling of silk, but is much more affordable. It is also simpler to care for, as it is wrinkle-resistant and dries quickly. It also has natural anti-bacterial and SPF components, making it an excellent choice for baby clothes.
There are two kinds of bamboo fibers: the degummed natural bamboo fiber and the regenerated bamboo fiber. The degummed natural bamboo fiber is a natural extract without any chemical additive. This kind of fiber is easily identified through a fiber analysis and is claimed to be a non-cotton vegetable fiber. The regenerated bamboo fiber is produced through chemical processes of its pulp and pectin and spun into a fiber, resulting in a wrinkle-free fiber similar to rayon or modal. A regenerated bamboo fiber is classified as a man-made fiber.
Regenerated fibers are processed either mechanically or chemically.
Mechanical Processing
In mechanical processing, the woody parts of the bamboo plant are crushed and its natural enzymes are used to produce a mushy mass where fibers are combed out and spun into a yarn. The product is a bamboo fabric or bamboo linen. This process is eco-friendly and is similar to the manufacture of linen fabric from flax and hemp.
Chemical Processing
This is the most common process for regenerated bamboo fiber. This involves "cooking" the fiber with chemicals to create a form of regenerated cellulose fiber that can be turned into thread that can be woven into fabrics. All the parts of the bamboo trunk and its leaves are used for making a bamboo fabric. The plant undergoes the process of extraction and crushing in a mixture of chemicals and is converted into threads.
The most environmentally-friendly manner in which to process bamboo fiber is the Lyocell process, which has been praised for being more sustainable than other commonly-used chemical process. Lyocell shares many properties with other cellulosic fibers such as cotton, linen, ramie and rayon. The N- methylmorpholine-N-oxide chemicals used in the Lyocell process are non-toxic and are safer for humans. During production, 99.5% of the chemicals are captured in a closed-loop container and are recyclable. Minimal amounts of the chemicals are released to the atmosphere, waste water and products.
New technology is currently being developed to add another option to bamboo processing methods called Greenyarn", which involves using chemicals to create nano particles of bamboo charcoal that are then woven into fabrics. There is limited literature available to support the actual and entire process using this technology.
The most commonly-used chemical process involves the use of carbon disulfide. In this process, the bamboo is crushed and the moisture content of the bamboo material is set to be more than 65%. The output forms alkali cellulose which is sulfurized through the carbon disulfide chemical added to it. This process turns the cellulose into gel which is then diluted with sodium hydroxide. This produces a viscose solution that is passed through nozzles and into another chemical solution where it hardens and is reconverted into thread and spun into fabric. By Virginia Ginsburg
Among the 1,250 species of bamboo, 1,000 are found in the tropics. China has the highest number of bamboo species and is the largest bamboo-producing country in the world. Bamboo is an amazing, fast-growing crop that can be easily grown organically without damaging the environment.
It is used for a wide variety of commercial uses, including:
- Food: its shoots are edible and widely exported
- Construction: the wood is used in construction as a substitute for timber
- Decoration: the wood is crafted into items that are used both outdoors and indoors as decoration
- Clothing: the fibers are processed to create a silky-soft fabric
Bamboo intended for the fabric market is harvested at about 4-5 years after planting. The fabric itself has the feeling of silk, but is much more affordable. It is also simpler to care for, as it is wrinkle-resistant and dries quickly. It also has natural anti-bacterial and SPF components, making it an excellent choice for baby clothes.
There are two kinds of bamboo fibers: the degummed natural bamboo fiber and the regenerated bamboo fiber. The degummed natural bamboo fiber is a natural extract without any chemical additive. This kind of fiber is easily identified through a fiber analysis and is claimed to be a non-cotton vegetable fiber. The regenerated bamboo fiber is produced through chemical processes of its pulp and pectin and spun into a fiber, resulting in a wrinkle-free fiber similar to rayon or modal. A regenerated bamboo fiber is classified as a man-made fiber.
Regenerated fibers are processed either mechanically or chemically.
Mechanical Processing
In mechanical processing, the woody parts of the bamboo plant are crushed and its natural enzymes are used to produce a mushy mass where fibers are combed out and spun into a yarn. The product is a bamboo fabric or bamboo linen. This process is eco-friendly and is similar to the manufacture of linen fabric from flax and hemp.
Chemical Processing
This is the most common process for regenerated bamboo fiber. This involves "cooking" the fiber with chemicals to create a form of regenerated cellulose fiber that can be turned into thread that can be woven into fabrics. All the parts of the bamboo trunk and its leaves are used for making a bamboo fabric. The plant undergoes the process of extraction and crushing in a mixture of chemicals and is converted into threads.
The most environmentally-friendly manner in which to process bamboo fiber is the Lyocell process, which has been praised for being more sustainable than other commonly-used chemical process. Lyocell shares many properties with other cellulosic fibers such as cotton, linen, ramie and rayon. The N- methylmorpholine-N-oxide chemicals used in the Lyocell process are non-toxic and are safer for humans. During production, 99.5% of the chemicals are captured in a closed-loop container and are recyclable. Minimal amounts of the chemicals are released to the atmosphere, waste water and products.
New technology is currently being developed to add another option to bamboo processing methods called Greenyarn", which involves using chemicals to create nano particles of bamboo charcoal that are then woven into fabrics. There is limited literature available to support the actual and entire process using this technology.
The most commonly-used chemical process involves the use of carbon disulfide. In this process, the bamboo is crushed and the moisture content of the bamboo material is set to be more than 65%. The output forms alkali cellulose which is sulfurized through the carbon disulfide chemical added to it. This process turns the cellulose into gel which is then diluted with sodium hydroxide. This produces a viscose solution that is passed through nozzles and into another chemical solution where it hardens and is reconverted into thread and spun into fabric. By Virginia Ginsburg
World Reforms Strategy
There is no denying the fact that the North-South divisions were deeper in the case of biodiversity than in the case of climate change negotiation. In the case of biodiversity the developing countries had a to take the lead as they were rich in species. The developing countries view was therefore that the Northern concern about biodiversity did not justify any dictation to the South about how they should manage their own natural resources. In their view, action in this regard depended mainly on the supply of Northern expertise and funding. In the biodiversity negotiation, the developed countries were more united than they were in the case of the climate change negotiations. The developing countries were also united in the biodiversity negotiations. The North argued firmly for the GEF funded through voluntary contribution and the South insisted on a special biodiversity fund funded through compulsory contribution compromise was finally reached in Nairobi in May 1992. Soft words with limited force were used for conservation strategies. The issue of financing channels was settled in an even more indirect way. The GEF was mandated to operate in this area on interim basis. But the question of the organization of the GEF became one of the key battle grounds of a pre- Rio process
Before the conference, the fundamental difference between the North and South became more and more apparent particularly in the context of drafting the Earth Charter. The Northern states were looking for a set of principles which underlined the need for a modification in the economic policies of developing countries. They wanted to include environmental compulsion in Southern economic policies. On the other hand, the main principle for the South was to pursue economic development in their own way, according to their own judgment as to what was appropriate.
There were some differences among the developed countries regarding their proportion of overseas aid. For example the US, UK, Germany and Japan devoted low proportion (about 0.2-0.4%) of their GDP to overseas aid. On the other hand some Northern countries foe example France, the Netherlands and some Scandinavian countries, gave higher national priority to overseas aid(0.6-1% GDP). The developing countries were also not in a very unified position in the process of the conference. A central tension which dominated the negotiation of the document of Agenda 21(Agenda for twenty first century) was the sharing of the global responsibility for environmental action. The North wanted to avoid the historical blame for environmental pollution. It also wanted to avoid financial responsibility. On the other hand the South blamed the North's over consumption and lifestyles, as the major cause for environmental problems and therefore demanded financial support from the North once again. However, these problems were solved by using soft language, of course in the final text which had limited force.
In the case of Earth Charter the same concerns were expressed by both parties. The Northern countries were concerned about environment and Southern countries with their development objectives. Very skillful balance was maintained between them by incorporating language like the need for all states to pay attention to the environment and, on the other, the special needs of developing countries and responsibilities of developed countries with regard to global economic development. Aother area of disagreement between them was the deforestation and desertification issue on the one hand, the North was in favour of a deforestation convention and South was against. On the other hand, the South was in favour of desertification convention while North was against. As there was no solution in the discussion on these matters, both issues were then passed to UNCED. By Kh. Atiar Rahman
Before the conference, the fundamental difference between the North and South became more and more apparent particularly in the context of drafting the Earth Charter. The Northern states were looking for a set of principles which underlined the need for a modification in the economic policies of developing countries. They wanted to include environmental compulsion in Southern economic policies. On the other hand, the main principle for the South was to pursue economic development in their own way, according to their own judgment as to what was appropriate.
There were some differences among the developed countries regarding their proportion of overseas aid. For example the US, UK, Germany and Japan devoted low proportion (about 0.2-0.4%) of their GDP to overseas aid. On the other hand some Northern countries foe example France, the Netherlands and some Scandinavian countries, gave higher national priority to overseas aid(0.6-1% GDP). The developing countries were also not in a very unified position in the process of the conference. A central tension which dominated the negotiation of the document of Agenda 21(Agenda for twenty first century) was the sharing of the global responsibility for environmental action. The North wanted to avoid the historical blame for environmental pollution. It also wanted to avoid financial responsibility. On the other hand the South blamed the North's over consumption and lifestyles, as the major cause for environmental problems and therefore demanded financial support from the North once again. However, these problems were solved by using soft language, of course in the final text which had limited force.
In the case of Earth Charter the same concerns were expressed by both parties. The Northern countries were concerned about environment and Southern countries with their development objectives. Very skillful balance was maintained between them by incorporating language like the need for all states to pay attention to the environment and, on the other, the special needs of developing countries and responsibilities of developed countries with regard to global economic development. Aother area of disagreement between them was the deforestation and desertification issue on the one hand, the North was in favour of a deforestation convention and South was against. On the other hand, the South was in favour of desertification convention while North was against. As there was no solution in the discussion on these matters, both issues were then passed to UNCED. By Kh. Atiar Rahman
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