Kimberly-Clark and Booshoot agree tissue fibre sourcing deal

Kimberly-Clark will be working with biotechnology company Booshoot to develop more sustainable sources of fibre for its tissue products.

The health and personal care firm will be exploring potential manufacturing of tissue products containing fibre derived from bamboo propagation technology developed by Booshoot, which specialises in bamboo forestry, agriculture and nursery wholesale.

By creating high-yield fibre alternatives that can be grown on a mass agricultural scale in environmentally and socially responsible ways, the partnership could benefit both the industry and the planet as a whole.

Gordon Knapp, president for consumer tissue for Kimberly-Clark in North America, said: "Introducing alternatives to natural forest fibre to our supply chain is important to our goals associated with responsible fibre sourcing, as well as our goals to improve management of input cost risk and variability."

Last month, the company received an A-plus rating for its 2011 corporate sustainability report Full Circle from the not-for-profit organisation Global Reporting Initiative.