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Bamboo
0.5-3 usd/kg
Bamboo is classified as a type of grass and its stem is converted into timber products, paper, fibres and textiles. In addition, the woody tissue, like that of tree trunks, provides the feedstock for cellulose based plastics and fibres, such as viscose and cellulose acetate (CA). It grows around the world in a variety of climates, from cold mountainous regions to tropical areas, and is available from sustainably managed sources. It’s speed of growth and ease of harvesting means it can be very cost-effective.
Bamboo contains many of the same ingredients as wood: it is a natural composite made up of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin. However, bamboo grows differently, with a denser packing of the cellulose fibres towards the outside of its hollow stem. This naturally optimised structure is far more efficient in terms of strength-to-weight than a solid rod-like tree trunk. This allows bamboo to grow very fast, while remaining lightweight and resistant to wind and other natural forces. It is suitable for structural uses after 3-5 years of growth.
The drawbacks of bamboo, other than natural variation, are its vulnerability to water absorption and decay. Bamboo is perishable and will last only a short time outdoors without suitable treatment. Additionally, the rich starch content provides a source of food for insects and fungus. To counter this, bamboo is impregnated with chemicals, which affects its sustainability.
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Bamboo stems have very good compressive strength, superior to normal strength concrete. Inline with growth, tensile strength is comparable to, if not better than, high-performance fibre-reinforced composite. However, there are many species and only certain types are good for structural applications as timber products.
– Japanese moso (Phyllostachys) is one of the most popular types. It grows to 30 m tall and yields a high quality, durable timber with a fine grain. It is used in a range of applications spanning construction (doors, floors and low structures), interiors, products, furniture and toys.
– Dendrocalamus is another Asian genus that provides a valuable source of timber. Asper (D. asper) and Latiflorus (D. latiflorus) are good for relatively heavy construction, including houses and bridges.
– Chusquea and Guadua from Central and South America provide a viable alternative to moso for certain types of applications. The wood is stronger with a coarse grain, but it is not so hard and so more easily dented in floors and doors, for example.
The stems are used intact, or cut into strips that can be joined, bent and woven together. Maintaining the tubular structure takes full advantage of the strength to weight of bamboo. It is an efficient structure and the nodes act as bulkheads, providing resistance to buckling. Applications include furniture, interiors, construction and packaging.
