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Bamboo fibre is a cellulose fibre fabricated from natural bamboo and other additives and is made from the pulp of bamboo plants. It is not made from the fibres of the plant, but is a synthetic viscose made from bamboo cellulose. It is softer than cotton and has inherent antibacterial properties[citation needed]; bamboo clothing has become popular in some fashion circles.
Bamboo has gained significant popularity as a "green" fibre. Manufacturers tout the fact that bamboo can be cultivated relatively quickly, can be used as a cash crop to develop impoverished regions of the third world, and is a natural fibre (as opposed to popular synthetics like polyester) whose cultivation results in a decrease in greenhouse gases.[1] Still, significant questions have been raised concerning the environmental problems associated with the cultivation of land expressly for bamboo [2] and the use of harsh chemicals to turn bamboo into usable fibre for clothing.[3] Bamboo fibre products:
- Have a look and feel similar to damask silk
- Have natural antibacterial and deodorant properties
- Can absorb 1.5 times as much water as cotton, making them comfortable for warm-weather wear
- Have approximately 3 times the service life of cotton
- Do not build a static charge
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