Conducted annually to reflect evolving science, supply chain realities, and regulatory standards

Data-driven, incorporating third-party analysis, internal monitoring, and partner feedback

Aligned with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results, including the BCOME Methodology v1.6, which we use to benchmark fiber performance in terms of carbon emissions, water use, eutrophication potential, and fossil fuel dependence (see www.bcome.biz for methodology details)

High (Incumbent): Wood-based feedstocks rely on monoculture plantations and deforestation, threatening native species and habitats.

Medium (Current): Bamboo is fast-growing but cultivated in monocrops, usually in a single geography.

Low (Future): Diverse, regenerative feedstocks reduce ecological pressure and can improve soil and habitat health.

High (Incumbent & Current): Both wood pulp and current bamboo systems are based on single-species cropping, limiting ecosystem resilience.

Low (Future): Planned use of mixed, regionally appropriate feedstocks reduces dependency on any one crop.

High (Incumbent): Heavily reliant on fixed forestry zones, creating supply vulnerability and ecosystem strain.

High (Current) : Bamboo sourcing is largely limited to specific regions, particularly in Asia.

Low (Future): Decentralized sourcing from diverse agro-ecosystems reduces over-dependence on any single geography.

High (Incumbent): Kraft and sulfite pulping are chemically intensive, energy-demanding, and environmentally harmful.

Medium (Current): Bamboo processing is more efficient but still relies on kraft-style methods with moderate chemical and energy inputs.

Low (Future): Closed-loop systems and low-energy pre-treatment processes dramatically reduce chemical usage and operational emissions.

High (Incumbent): Non-native trees used in commercial plantations can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native vegetation.

Medium (Current): Bamboo species, while managed, can be invasive if not monitored; risk exists depending on location and practice.

Low (Future): Regenerative sourcing will occur in controlled environments with species suited to local ecology, minimizing invasive potential.

High (Incumbent): Forest extraction has historically involved violations of Indigenous and local community land rights.

Low (Current): Bamboo is sourced from certified, traceable suppliers, reducing land conflict risks significantly.

Low (Future): System incorporates Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols and partnerships with local stakeholders to ensure land and community equity.

High (Incumbent): Water pollution from untreated effluents and toxic chemical residues is widespread in conventional pulping.

Medium (Current): 58% less wastewater impact than conventional lyocell, though some chemical load remains.

Low (Future): Closed-loop water systems with >98% recovery efficiency ensure minimal discharge and compliance with clean water standards.

High (Incumbent): High emissions from deforestation, long-distance transport, and fossil-fueled processing infrastructure.

Medium (Current): Bamboo-based production lowers emissions by 22% compared to incumbent materials, per LCA results.

Low (Future): Regionally sourced regenerative feedstocks and low-energy processing design reduce carbon footprint to near-net-zero levels.

High (Incumbent): Chemical runoff and nutrient discharge from plantations and pulp mills contribute to waterway degradation.

Medium (Current): Lifecycle analysis shows a 42% reduction in eutrophication impact, though chemical inputs still exist.

Low (Future): Use of compost-based soil health strategies and reduced inputs lowers nutrient runoff to negligible levels.

High (Incumbent): Heavy reliance on fossil fuels across harvesting, processing, and transport stages.

Medium (Current): Reduced energy demand improves efficiency, though fossil fuel use is still significant depending on facility location.

Low (Future): Closed-loop systems and regionally distributed processing enable a transition to renewable energy and dramatically reduce fossil reliance.