Wood Cladding Made from Fast-Growing Moso Bamboo: A Sustainable Choice

When it comes to exterior design, wood cladding is a popular material for facades, known for its natural look and warmth. But did you know that bamboo can offer the same aesthetic appeal with even greater sustainability? Moso bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, reaching maturity in just five years. During peak growing season, it can grow up to one meter per day! This rapid growth rate, combined with its ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, makes bamboo an eco-friendly alternative for wood cladding.

But how sustainable is bamboo when used for wood cladding? Let’s take a closer look.

Bamboo as a Sustainable Alternative for Wood Cladding

Once Moso bamboo is harvested, it must be processed into a durable material suitable for wood cladding. MOSO^® ensures sustainability throughout this production phase by using eco-friendly methods such as solar power, reusing bamboo waste for bioenergy, and constant improvement, such as the work currently being done on looking for a biobased glue alternative.

You can read more about MOSO^®’s sustainable production methods here.

How Much CO2 Does MOSO^® Bamboo Cladding Capture?

One of the most significant environmental benefits of bamboo is its carbon capture ability. Moso bamboo stores carbon in its biomass, and MOSO^® Bamboo X-treme^® cladding captures 1,662 kg of CO2 per cubic meter. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to the emissions of a mid-sized car driving nearly 14,000 kilometres or more than a round-trip flight from Amsterdam to Hong Kong.

CO2 Emissions in Bamboo Production

Sustainability isn’t just about what bamboo absorbs—it’s also about what it emits during production. According to Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) studies updated in 2022, the carbon emissions from the full lifecycle of bamboo cladding—harvesting, processing, and transportation—are lower than the CO2 the bamboo absorbed while growing. This means Bamboo X-treme^® cladding is a sustainable choice between various cladding materials available on the market. If you want more details on the EPD studies, check out our full report here.

Circularity and Durability of Bamboo Cladding

A key factor in sustainability is the circularity of the material. Bamboo cladding offers exceptional durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements. After its first life cycle, MOSO^® Bamboo X-treme^® can easily be repurposed due to its innovative clip system, which leaves no screw holes in the boards. Once the boards reach the end of their long lifespan, they can be treated as wood products for energy recovery, much like traditional wood cladding.

MOSO^® is the first company to test all bamboo product ranges for energy recovery in the EU, proving that bamboo can be treated similarly to wood at the end of its lifecycle. If you’re interested in this aspect of bamboo’s sustainability, feel free to reach out to our team here.

Bamboo’s High Yield and Industrial Potential

One of bamboo’s most significant advantages over traditional wood cladding materials is its higher annual yield. To put it into perspective:

Not only does bamboo grow faster, but it can also be harvested like a crop, allowing the forest to stay intact and regenerate naturally. In contrast, trees such as oak and fir must be replanted after harvesting. Bamboo’s fast growth and high yield make it a perfect solution for sustainable industrialization, providing a reliable source of high-quality and eco-friendly alternatives to wood cladding.

Why Choose Bamboo for Wood Cladding?

Bamboo cladding offers numerous benefits over traditional wood cladding, including:

• Carbon Storage: Thanks to its CO2-capturing abilities and eco-friendly production, bamboo cladding is a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood cladding.
• Durability: Bamboo is highly durable, resistant to moisture, insects, and decay. It can last decades without the frequent maintenance wood typically requires.
• Sustainability: Bamboo is one of the most renewable natural resources. Its rapid growth and minimal environmental impact make it an ideal choice for green building projects.
  

Ready to Switch to Bamboo Cladding?

Bamboo offers an excellent alternative to traditional wood cladding, combining natural beauty with eco-friendly benefits. Whether you're designing a sleek modern facade or a rustic, natural look, bamboo cladding provides versatility in design and unmatched sustainability.

Interested in learning more about MOSO^® Bamboo X-treme^® cladding?
Get our brochure to explore all the possibilities for your next project.