Why the label says viscose and not bamboo

Short answer: Bamboo is the raw material, not the fibre. Once bamboo has been dissolved and spun into thread, the result is a viscose fibre, and that is the term the labelling rules require.

From plant to fibre

The bamboo is broken down, the cellulose dissolved, and the mass pressed through nozzles into threads. The process is the same as for other viscose.

Why it cannot say bamboo alone

Fibre names are set in legislation, and bamboo is not a fibre name. That is why it says viscose, often with bamboo named as the raw material.

What it does not mean

It does not mean the item is wrongly described or of poorer quality. It is a labelling rule, not a quality judgement.

Lyocell is a different process

Lyocell is made in a closed loop with a different solvent. See bamboo lyocell versus bamboo rayon.

Rayon is the same as viscose

In English viscose is often called rayon. See what is rayon.

See also

The background on the process is in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.

The range

See the items in bamboo underwear for women.

Frequently asked questions

So is bamboo viscose not bamboo?

The raw material is bamboo. The fibre is a viscose fibre made from the cellulose of the bamboo.

Is lyocell better than viscose?

The process is different and runs in a closed loop. The fabric itself also feels slightly different.

Why does it say rayon on foreign items?

Rayon is the English term for viscose.