Discover a unique material
Each piece is an exquisitely handcrafted
Designers and architects value the expressive character, unique texture and sensual tactility of the bark cloth tree bark fleece. Depending on lighting conditions, angle of viewing, finishing, and temperament of its producer the soft, moldable cloth changes from the supple, but robust charm of leather to the translucent and graceful lightness of filmy fleeces.
Pure and real, thousands of years old, though ahead of its time, it concentrates style and design down to the bare essentials. For whichever application, you are sure to use a unique masterpiece.
“The allure of this exceptional material comes from its inimitable structure and the fascinating game played between ancient authenticity and state-of-the-art finishes and uses… It is ideal to serve for products and architectural projects where individuality plays a central role”
Humberto Campana
The brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana use BARKCLOTH traditional_0131 in their project Hotel Yes in Athens.
Fascination of nature
Bark Cloth tree bark fleece, a textile without any additives.
Exactly one cloth is created from the bark of one tree. The harvesting of the bark and its subsequent processing are carried out exclusively by handwork. Only if trained hands were at work during harvest and processing, can we offer nature in perfection. For not everyone is master of the great art of tree peeling and the ancient, traditionally handed down knowledge of bark processing.
In contrast to most other nature-based solutions available on market, this so-called monomaterial does not contain any binders, dyes or other additives. It contains the bark fiber only, which is chemically broken down to cellulose, hemicellulose, tannins and traces of minerals.
On the production side, each square meter of Bark Cloth requires less than one liter of water. Since it is produced with muscle power only, and since the basic metabolic rate of a hard working man is only slightly higher than the metabolic rate of a man, resting lazy in a hammock, its production is CO2 – neutral. And if the natural CO2 – binding effect of Mutuba trees is included in the carbon footprint, Bark Cloth manufacturing is even CO2 – positive. No other textile offers such a favorable eco balance.
The traditionally made Bark Cloth from Uganda.
A piece of Bark Cloth represents exactly the harvest of a tree, each one is unique. The color ranges from orange and ocher, terracotta and fawn brown to a deep reddish brown. As diverse as nature itself. It measures an average of 150 x 270 cm, with variances ranging from 130 to 180 cm in width and 255 to 350 cm in length. Customized sizes are possible. It is from 0.3 to 1.8 mm thick, most of the produce is available in a thickness of around 0.7 to 1.1 mm. The seams and patches made of sisal and bast threads are not a design feature, but rather improvements which result from branch holes and mendings.
The mother of all cloths. A cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Our Ugandan manufactory sources traditional Bark Cloth from our network of Ugandan organic farmers and improves it with purely traditional methods. With BARK CLOTH_tradition_0131, we produce the highest possible quality Bark Cloth like no other. For this reason, we have been appointed by the King of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi II, to supply to his royal household. Informally purchased Bark Cloth often comes with holes larger than one inch and is usually strongly wavy, making it difficult for some applications. BARK CLOTH_tradition_0131 is almost flat and and contains only minimal holes, due to the rich porosity of the materials.
Properties: translucent, heat-resistant up to 200 ºC with no heat damage, three-dimensionally deformable.
Product details
Size: | approx. 2000 x 3000 mm, special sizes available |
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Thickness: | 0,3 – 3,5 mm |
Material: | bark cloth |
Characteristics: | translucent, heat resistant up to 200 ºC, three-dimensionally deformable |
Sustainability criteria
Country of origin: | Uganda |
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Origin of materials: | Uganda |
Function: | healthy, low-emission, natural, circular ability, CO2 neutral, suitable for allergy sufferers |
Certificates: | Bark Cloth® eco is the only worldwide certified Bark Cloth® from controlled organic cultivation (EU Standard 2092/91). The production takes place according to the guidelines of the ILO (International Labor Organization) and SA 8000. Standards for Bark Cloth® production are controlled through an elaborate certification process by a German IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)-accredited certification company. |
Manufacturing processes: | since 1990 with organic farmers monomaterial without any binders, dyes or other additives, less than 1 l/sqm water usage, CO2 neutral, BarkTex: using additives which are strictly either self-made or produced in Germany, income is generated in a structurally weak region, fair price-performance ratio |
Collaborations: | with reknown universities and research institutions, such as Design Academy Eindhoven, London Metropolitan University, Parsons New York, NASA, ESDI Rio de Janeiro, Fraunhofer, Steinbeis or the German Aerospace Centre |