In the bustling city of Dortmund, Germany, the European Bamboo Expo took center stage on June 2nd and 3rd. This dynamic event, organized by Weproductions, bamboo Age, and the Akademie für Zusammenarbeit, was a true celebration of bamboo and its contribution to sustainability. With the support of leading European bamboo enterprises and international organizations such as the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization and the World Bamboo Organization, the expo brought together a diverse range of exhibitors, from innovative bamboo bike creators to projects enhancing the lives of bamboo-growing communities. Over two exciting days, more than 20 exhibitors and 40 presentations showcased the thriving bamboo value chain in Europe, leaving attendees inspired and energized.
As inspirational and energizing that the event was, it was unavoidable to reflect on how the second world largest market for bamboo products has some lessons to teach Latin America and how this region can benefit from the demand of the European continent.
Amidst the excitement, it was crucial to reflect on the invaluable lessons Latin America can learn from the European market, the second-largest consumer of bamboo products in the world. The escalating demand for timber alternatives in Europe presents a golden opportunity for Latin American countries to tap into this demand. Some European companies have already embraced this trend. One such company, the "Consorzio Bambú Italia," has been promoting bamboo cultivation in Italy since 2014. Their subsidiary, "Vivai OnlyMoso," produces millions of bamboo plants annually and collaborates with landowners, providing plants, management services, and customers. Similarly, Bamboo Logic, a Netherlands-based company, cultivates bamboo in their own lands while offering services to interested landowners. By planting bamboo on a significant scale, these companies contribute to removing over a million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere, with plans for even greater expansion.
The Untapped Potential of Latin America
Although European companies are making strides, the growing demand for bamboo in Europe cannot be met by a select few players alone. Latin America possesses favorable tropical climates for the cultivation of giant bamboo, presenting an unparalleled opportunity to supply biomass for industrial bamboo products. However, the challenge lies in establishing plantations on small landowner plots, making harvesting and collection a daunting task. Moreover, the complex nature of cooperativism hampers the funding process, as investors seek trust and confidence amidst a multitude of stakeholders. This obstacle demands collaborative efforts between academia, civil society, policymakers, and investors to facilitate information exchange and responsible decision-making, safeguarding the reputation of bamboo as a sustainable resource.
Unlocking Success Stories
Within Latin America, there are promising success stories that deserve wider recognition. For instance, Wübubamboo, an enterprise based in Guatemala, showcased its circular business model at the European Expo. By focusing on agroforestry with bamboo, a practice once discouraged, they have diversified their income streams through material transformation and other activities. Such models, along with experiences in silviculture, post-harvest techniques, and transformation processes, need to be shared and disseminated among growers and users. This emphasis on knowledge-sharing underscores the crucial role played by events like the European Bamboo Expo—to inform and inspire.
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| Natalia Reategui Echeverri is a Forest engineer and a Master of Tropical Forestry and Management from the Technische Universität Dresden. She is a bamboo expert with more than 15 years of experience in research, management and capacity building. |