Comments on: Bamboo Processing Considerations II http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/ The Greening of Fashion: One Thread at a Time Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:34:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Shana http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-3837 Shana Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:01:51 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-3837 Thank you for your comment, Waseem. I would have to guess that the particular enzymes you are using combined with the bleach are too harsh for the bamboo. Bamboo can be processed in multiple ways - chemically and mechanically. Most of the chemical processes are proprietary, but there are some that are more environmentally friendly than others. If you are getting holes then my suggestion is to switch enzymes and also to avoid using bleach since bleach is such a harmful chemical for the environment (and humans). Also, the most eco-friendly processes that I am aware of for processing bamboo are those that re-use their mixes again and again so as to avoid dumping anything into the environment. I invite other readers to chime in as well. Thanks for your question. Thank you for your comment, Waseem. I would have to guess that the particular enzymes you are using combined with the bleach are too harsh for the bamboo. Bamboo can be processed in multiple ways – chemically and mechanically. Most of the chemical processes are proprietary, but there are some that are more environmentally friendly than others. If you are getting holes then my suggestion is to switch enzymes and also to avoid using bleach since bleach is such a harmful chemical for the environment (and humans). Also, the most eco-friendly processes that I am aware of for processing bamboo are those that re-use their mixes again and again so as to avoid dumping anything into the environment. I invite other readers to chime in as well. Thanks for your question.

]]> By: Waseem Afzal http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-3830 Waseem Afzal Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:48:55 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-3830 Dear Sir, we are facing a problem of holes in the denim fabric having 100% Bamboo yarn in weft & 100% Cotton yarn in warp. When the garment is subjected to Enzyme & bleach wash, some holes appear in the fabric where bamboo yarns get damaged whereas cotton yarns are not affected. Pls advise what could be the possible causes of this problem. Regards, Dear Sir,
we are facing a problem of holes in the denim fabric having 100% Bamboo yarn in weft & 100% Cotton yarn in warp.
When the garment is subjected to Enzyme & bleach wash, some holes appear in the fabric where bamboo yarns get damaged whereas cotton yarns are not affected.

Pls advise what could be the possible causes of this problem.

Regards,

]]> By: Bamboo Processing Considerations II « Green Cotton http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Bamboo Processing Considerations II « Green Cotton Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:07:18 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-115 [...] of these hyperlinks). You can read more on this particular post and also comment on it by going to greencottonblog.This is one of Green Cotton’s most popular [...] [...] of these hyperlinks). You can read more on this particular post and also comment on it by going to greencottonblog.This is one of Green Cotton’s most popular [...]

]]> By: Murali Gopalakrishnan http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Murali Gopalakrishnan Mon, 19 May 2008 20:19:59 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-28 If you want to avoid pilling, try using a compact yarn or singed yarn. If you want to avoid pilling, try using a compact yarn or singed yarn.

]]> By: Lee http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Lee Tue, 13 May 2008 18:40:02 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-30 Thank you for the informative article on fiber processing and the extensive follow up by Cameron. I study different organic home linens and find it curious to see how different the textures can be, as well as the colors. Obviously, the devil is in the details, quite literally, as many of us are slaves to fashion, also noted by Cameron. Thank you for the informative article on fiber processing and the extensive follow up by Cameron. I study different organic home linens and find it curious to see how different the textures can be, as well as the colors. Obviously, the devil is in the details, quite literally, as many of us are slaves to fashion, also noted by Cameron.

]]> By: syansen http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-37 syansen Fri, 09 May 2008 17:16:17 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-37 Regarding your comment on the pilling of bamboo - I just want to add that own a couple of bamboo Tshirts and would have to agree that they do start to pill after a short stint. They are incredibly soft and pliable, but the fabric appears to degrade into pilling relatively quickly. One tangible downside. Regarding your comment on the pilling of bamboo – I just want to add that own a couple of bamboo Tshirts and would have to agree that they do start to pill after a short stint. They are incredibly soft and pliable, but the fabric appears to degrade into pilling relatively quickly. One tangible downside.

]]> By: syansen http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-38 syansen Fri, 09 May 2008 17:13:43 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-38 Thank you Cameron for such a well thought out and excellent comment to this post. I want to make readers away that I have just posted a follow-on to the bamboo processing - which looks into the fundamentals of lyocell processing and compares the two. Please check it out at www.greencottonblog.com/2008/05/09/is-tencel-an-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-bamboo-fabric/ and send in any questions. Thank you Cameron for such a well thought out and excellent comment to this post. I want to make readers away that I have just posted a follow-on to the bamboo processing – which looks into the fundamentals of lyocell processing and compares the two. Please check it out at http://www.greencottonblog.com/2008/05/09/is-tencel-an-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-bamboo-fabric/ and send in any questions.

]]> By: Cameron http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Cameron Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:14:14 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-36 The bamboo fiber that comes from Asia is really the same thing as conventional rayon from wood pulp - the difference being that the cellulose comes from bamboo instead of trees. The process of converting it to Rayon can hardly be called environmentally friendly - just as this was one of the main reasons why viscose from trees never became more popular that it is. The viscose must be chemically dissolved and then re-constituted into a synthetic fiber using organic solvents - and all this is happening in China where there are weak if non-existent restrictions on the manufacturing process. So while the bamboo "story" sounds great - conventional cotton is more eco-friendly since it does not go through this re-constituting process. Tencel - which was the European Rayon industries answer to complaints regarding the consumption of organic solvents, is a closed loop system where the solvents are re-claimed and re-used (mostly mfg. in Europe under European regulations) and this is also why Tencel is significantly more expensive than "conventional" rayon - but current supplies of Bamboo rayon do not use closed loop system. There is also the issue of pilling/fuzzing with Bamboo (like conventional rayon) - unlike cotton it gets weak when it gets wet (like when you launder it) and this creates pilling/fuzzing when run in a conventional washing machine - the way around this is by blending with stronger fibers like cotton or polyester - but this is a weakness of the fiber and is the other big reason why viscose rayon never had more market acceptance than it does. There is also the stability issue of bamboo - if unblended it has significant dimensional change when it gets wet or with changes in humidity - again this can be remedied by blending it with other fibers, particularly polyester. At the end of the day - the only measure that you can rely on to call bamboo "green" is considering the environmental impact of using bamboo pulp vs. pulp from trees - but the chemical step in between where the fiber is made cannot be called environmentally friendly. Also, once it gets to the dyeing and finishing mill - they are going to use conventional dyes and chemicals to get the effects and performance (hand, shrinkage, color, etc.) that the market demands. When all of the above is is considered, then conventional cotton comes out pretty "green" compared to bamboo. It is no wonder that bamboo is about marketing, not about science. Eco with regards to apparel, is really just the latest "fashion" trend. The bamboo fiber that comes from Asia is really the same thing as conventional rayon from wood pulp – the difference being that the cellulose comes from bamboo instead of trees. The process of converting it to Rayon can hardly be called environmentally friendly – just as this was one of the main reasons why viscose from trees never became more popular that it is. The viscose must be chemically dissolved and then re-constituted into a synthetic fiber using organic solvents – and all this is happening in China where there are weak if non-existent restrictions on the manufacturing process. So while the bamboo “story” sounds great – conventional cotton is more eco-friendly since it does not go through this re-constituting process. Tencel – which was the European Rayon industries answer to complaints regarding the consumption of organic solvents, is a closed loop system where the solvents are re-claimed and re-used (mostly mfg. in Europe under European regulations) and this is also why Tencel is significantly more expensive than “conventional” rayon – but current supplies of Bamboo rayon do not use closed loop system. There is also the issue of pilling/fuzzing with Bamboo (like conventional rayon) – unlike cotton it gets weak when it gets wet (like when you launder it) and this creates pilling/fuzzing when run in a conventional washing machine – the way around this is by blending with stronger fibers like cotton or polyester – but this is a weakness of the fiber and is the other big reason why viscose rayon never had more market acceptance than it does. There is also the stability issue of bamboo – if unblended it has significant dimensional change when it gets wet or with changes in humidity – again this can be remedied by blending it with other fibers, particularly polyester. At the end of the day – the only measure that you can rely on to call bamboo “green” is considering the environmental impact of using bamboo pulp vs. pulp from trees – but the chemical step in between where the fiber is made cannot be called environmentally friendly. Also, once it gets to the dyeing and finishing mill – they are going to use conventional dyes and chemicals to get the effects and performance (hand, shrinkage, color, etc.) that the market demands. When all of the above is is considered, then conventional cotton comes out pretty “green” compared to bamboo. It is no wonder that bamboo is about marketing, not about science. Eco with regards to apparel, is really just the latest “fashion” trend.

]]> By: New York Fashion Week’s Eco Debut 2008 « Green Cotton http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-34 New York Fashion Week’s Eco Debut 2008 « Green Cotton Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:11:02 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-34 [...] Designers made garments with renewable, reusable, non-polluting materials including sasawashi, piña, bamboo, organic cotton and wool, corn-based fibers, recycled fibers and/or fabrics and biopolymers. Designers are encouraged to use techniques that reduce environmental impacts of manufacturing and production as well as source locally produced sustainable materials. For example, designers not only aim to reduce their manufacturing carbon footprint, but also to reduce toxic chemical usage in fabric processing (one concern with bamboo). [...] [...] Designers made garments with renewable, reusable, non-polluting materials including sasawashi, piña, bamboo, organic cotton and wool, corn-based fibers, recycled fibers and/or fabrics and biopolymers. Designers are encouraged to use techniques that reduce environmental impacts of manufacturing and production as well as source locally produced sustainable materials. For example, designers not only aim to reduce their manufacturing carbon footprint, but also to reduce toxic chemical usage in fabric processing (one concern with bamboo). [...]

]]> By: Pangaya: Pioneer of Online Green Apparel to Close « Green Cotton http://greencottonblog.com/2007/10/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Pangaya: Pioneer of Online Green Apparel to Close « Green Cotton Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:13:02 +0000 http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/bamboo-processing-considerations-ii/#comment-33 [...] in the early stages? Time will tell, but as demand for all natural fibers such as organic cotton, bamboo, soy, hemp and even organic silk and wool, increases, hopefully new companies will continue to [...] [...] in the early stages? Time will tell, but as demand for all natural fibers such as organic cotton, bamboo, soy, hemp and even organic silk and wool, increases, hopefully new companies will continue to [...]

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