MATERIAL

CleanBamboo

Abrasion-ResistantAnti-FungalAnti-MicrobialAsiaBambooBreathableCruelty FreeEuropeHypoallergenicLightweightLow-CarbonLyocellMould-ResistantNorth AmericaOdour ResistantRecyclableRegenerativeSouth AmericaStrongTemperature-ResistantTextilesUV-ResistantVegan

The material is made from 100% organic bamboo, which is pulped and turned into a lyocell fibre using a wet processing technique

Last updated: 8 Aug 2024

Producing 98% less waste water than conventional cotton, Ettitude's CleanBamboo® fibre is rain fed, regenerative, and toxin- free, supporting both the planet's health and our own.

Commercially Available

Asia | Europe | North America | South America

Performance wovens made with CleanBamboo / Source: Ettitude

100% PLNTCashmere made with CleanBamboo / Source: Ettitude

100% PLNTwool made with CleanBamboo / Source: Ettitude

CleanBamboo cooling pillowcases / Source: Ettitude

SNAPSHOT

US-based material technology pioneer Ettitude uses 100% organic Bamboo to produce its CleanBamboo fibre. An FSC certified and Canopy Hot Button approved lyocell fibre, it can be processed into a variety of textile applications, including a reduced impact wool alternative (PLNTwool™) and an antimicrobial and deodorising alternative to viscose and synthetic blends.

PROS

Bamboo only requires rain water to grow

Uses 26% less energy in production than conventional lyocell

Finished fabrics biodegrade in soil in 90 days

98% of water and solvents used in production are recycled up to 200 times

Seed to gate total CO2 impact is 10% less than conventional lyocell

CONS

Shipping is powered by fossil fuels

CleanBamboo

Key properties:

Abrasion-Resistant / Anti-Fungal / Anti-Microbial / Breathable / Cruelty Free / Hypoallergenic / Lightweight / Low-Carbon / Mould-Resistant / Odour Resistant / Recyclable / Regenerative / Strong / Temperature-Resistant / UV-Resistant / Vegan

Common uses:

Textiles

LIFE CYCLE

Sourcing

CleanBamboo is made from 100% organic bamboo grown in China.
The company's raw material sourcing and pulping practices are FSC certified and have Canopy Hot Button Approved Green Shirt status. This means no Ancient or Endangered forests are used in production.
Ettitude's bamboo grows three times faster than it can harvest it, ensuring a continued supply and no depletion of the natural environment.
As the bamboo grows, it sequesters more CO2 from the atmosphere than trees, and removes toxins from the soil.
Only rain water is used to grow the bamboo and 64.64 MJ of energy in biomass is used to harvest the plant.
Ettitude converts 80% of the harvested material into pulp for fibre production. The remaining 20% is returned to the farm as fertiliser.
Ettitude produces its CleanBamboo fibre alongside its third party, certified supply chain in China and has full transparency to farm level.

Production

Ettitude uses a closed-loop production process to transform bamboo into a lyocell fibre. The company utilises enzymes to turn raw bamboo into pulp, and food grade, organic solvent-spinning to create the final lyocell fibre.
Very little water is used to create the lyocell - only 2.57kg of tap water per 1kg of fibre - and 98% of water and solvents are recycled up to 200 times.
All wastewater is cleaned using an evaporating and deionizing system before being released back into the environment.
The company's production sites in China are powered by low voltage, non-renewable electricity. Only 4.97 kilowatts of low voltage energy is needed per 1kg of fibre, 26% less than conventional lyocell.
The seed to gate impact of the fibre equates to 5.675 CO2/eq - a saving of 10% compared to conventional lyocell production methods.
The company measured its impact via third party LCA partner BCOME and used primary data and open source data for comparatives.
Each factory in the process provides third party audits annually or every two to three years.
Ettitude uses ground freight and ocean freight to deliver its fibre, yarns, and finished textiles.
Fibre is shipped in bales to shipping mills, yarn cones are packaged in cartons and sent to textile mills, and finished textiles are made into rolls and sent to sewing facilities.
CleanBamboo is commercially available in over 30 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Central America.
Minimum order quantity is one ton, while maximum order quantity is 1,500 tons.

In Use

CleanBamboo fibre can be used for a range of textile applications. The company offers it as a fibre, yarn, and as finished textiles.
These include 100% PLNTsilk™, a hypoallergenic, washable alternative to Silk, 100% PLNTcashmere™, a hand washable, durable alternative to cashmere, 100% PLNTwool™, a temperature regulating Wool alternative, and performance knits and performance wovens to replace synthetic blends, Viscose, cotton, Tencel and modal.
The creation of PLNTsilk™ uses 100% less water compared to Italian silk, and produces 86% less CO2. PLNTwool™ uses 99% less water compared to Italian cashmere, and reduces carbon emissions by 88%.
CleanBamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, machine washable and dryer friendly. The fibre can be infused with bamboo biochar to offer deodorising, anti-fungal and bio-static qualities.
The fibre has been third party tested for durability and is said to be longer lasting than Cotton, viscose, and Tencel.
Ettitude offers its own range of bedding products made with CleanBamboo, including pillow cases, duvet covers, sheets, blankets, protectors, and towels. All products are Oeko-Tex Class 1 certified, meaning they are safe for babies.
The company is currently working with a range of luxury and globally recognised brands under NDA.

End of Life

Ettitude has an established reverse logistics partner in the US to collect post consumer products to be resold, recycled or donated. Over 90% of everything collected is reused. The company is setting up the same system in Australia in 2024.
If low impact dyes are used, the finished CleanBamboo textiles can biodegrade in the soil in 90 days. They will break down by 98.5% in that timeframe.

HOW TO ACTION

1

Never stop innovating

Ettitude is currently working on new IP developments with lower impact regenerative and circular feedstocks, as well as new manufacturing processes that will decrease CleanBamboo's impact even further. Brand's must take responsibility for sustainable development, ensuring they are constantly striving to improve, even if new products are significantly better than conventional alternatives.

2

Treat your waste water

Global textile production is said to be responsible for around 20% of clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products. Textile waste water contains hazardous chemicals and heavy metals, which pollute the surface water, groundwater, soil and air, as well as harming aquatic life. Follow in Ettitude's footsteps and invest in a thorough water treatment process before releasing it back into the environment.

3

Prioritise regenerative agriculture

Using Earth's natural resources without depleting the supply and the soil is key to a prosperous and profitable future. Ettitude's use of naturally fast growing and CO2 sequestering bamboo contributes to a regenerative farming and textile industry that will stand the test of time. Work with your farming partners to implement regenerative practices now.

Contact

Ettitude

HQ: Los Angeles, United States
Manufactures in: China, Peru, Portugal, Italy
Distributes to: Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Central America

Contact Visit

Main: 1(760)822-2661