Special show at Heimtextil 2011: Bark Cloth – an old, versatile and sustainable material

Bark cloth is sourced from the East African fig trees and is probably the oldest textile in the history of mankind. It is soft but robust and, depending on perspective, looks either like organza or leather.

This material is manufactured by Bark Cloth®. The German-African company started systematic production of bark cloth in 1999, in partnership with organic farmers from Uganda. At the time, the craft was considered old-fashioned and therefore at risk.

From 2001 to 2005, a development aid project was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung – BMZ) and the Society for Technical Cooperation (Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit - GTZ). The craft was included on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list in 2008.

The processed version, Barktex®, is tear-, water- and fire-resistant. The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie - BMWI) nominated this bark cloth for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany 2011 in September of this year.

The material is sustainable – no trees need to be felled – and extremely versatile. It can be used to make blinds, textile wallpapers, cushion covers, light screens and awnings.

This recent interest in bark cloth now provides a new, if modest, source of income for almost 700 farming families.

Special show Bark Cloth