ASUS has won much international acclaim with its accomplishments in the field of biodegradable materials. Already possessing a strong background in the use of leather in ASUS products, yet more research, innovation, and ingenuity was required to make bamboo a viable material in computing.
How is bamboo environmentally friendly? One of ASUS’ designers, Allen, explained that bamboo is able to grow an amazing 60cm every 24 hours, a speed unparalleled by any other plant on earth. As it requires only 4 to 5 years before maturing to a point where it can be harvested, compared to up to 30 to 50 years for trees, it consumes a mere quarter of the energy required to harvest traditional wood.
Another factor is that, unlike trees, bamboo grows in clusters, with each cluster forming a single interconnected organism. After 4 or 5 years, bamboo becomes susceptible to fungal infections and, if the infection spreads underground to the root structure, the entire bamboo cluster is put at risk. Harvesting bamboo, therefore, is actually beneficial for the bamboo forest, stimulating new growth and helping to protect the clusters which already exist.
Finally, the processes involved in bamboo production aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as they reduce the plastic content of the product by over 20%. ASUS is also working on extending this achievement by incorporating biodegradable plastics into our products, which would make the outer casings 100% environmentally friendly.
Following a year of repeated research and testing, the Asus Design Center managed to refine its complicated multi-step bamboo production techniques. Moso bamboo, which is capable of reaching over 20 meters in height, was first selected as the core material due to its thickness and strength. The bamboo is split into thin strips and the bark is peeled away by means of a rough shaving process. These strips are then baked at a high temperature to remove the sugar and make them impervious to insects. Following this, glue is applied and the pieces are pressed into single bamboo sheets. Finally, the bamboo sheets are finely polished to remove any remaining glue from the surface.
Once the sheets have been prepared, high pressure injection molding binds them together using molten plastic. This process ensures that the bamboo’s outstanding natural grain and flexibility is retained whilst making it exceptionally user friendly and safe.
As the Moso bamboo used in the design of the Bamboo Series retains its organic properties and looks, each laptop is unique, making it as distinctive to its user as their own fingerprint. Furthermore, as the material is natural, it ages and changes over time, giving it an added layer of depth. This, combined with the fact that the bamboo is juxtaposed with sleek, brushed aluminum surfaces, ensures that the ASUS Bamboo Series of laptops fit perfectly into home and work space, adding an organic touch of elegance to any environment.
Packaging Design
In order to echo the “Eco-care” concept, ASUS Bamboo packaging is made from renewable corrugated paperboard replaced the solid grey card board, and the bamboo buffer tray. ASUS U Bamboo packaging is not only to meet the storage and purpose, but the emboss bamboo pattern also gives a sense of aesthetics. In additional, the simple packaging provides simple and easy open-box-experience.
