Chemically Treated Bamboo Textiles

by Bernard KERVYN
(Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Hello. We are a development organization (NGO) in Vietnam & Cambodia. Lack of employment opportunities is one of the most important issues. We have launched Mekong Creations, a social enterprise, to produce labor intensive products & sell them in our 4 shops, the profits are re-invested in the villages.
We have a large range of bamboo products which is increasing. See www.mekong-creations.org. We are developing a bamboo bicylce and other products.
Considering bamboo textiles, I have a question: I heard the chemicals needed for the process make it much less environment friendly than we would hope. Am I correct?