From stout stalk swaying in the wood to pristine flooring in the heart of a home, bamboo is tops when it comes to sustainability. The hearty grass grows fast, replenishes faster, and easily processes down into a bevy of functional and ecologically-sensitive products. Add one more to the list: Moso’s Bamboo Veneer is an ultra-thin yet impressively strong new breed of laminate with qualities reminiscent of wood. The difference—and the essence of Moso’s achievement—is that this bamboo can be rolled into sheets and sent to all parts East and West without concerns about its integrity during transport and installation. The trick is Moso’s signature backing, “a thin, but strong cellulose fleece, which enables easy pressing of the veneer sheets.”

Bamboo Veneer. Designed by Moso.

The Beauty of Wood without the Weight

The bamboo veneer’s easy application lends it to multiple uses. Moso mentions that it’s most commonly pressed onto “panels like chipboard, multiplex or MDF,” which would suggest that anticipated applications include cabinet facing, wall coverings, and countertops, but who’s to say it can’t transcend these uses. Given its aesthetic similarities to wood, it might make excellent paneling for libraries, finishes for custom made desks, or a great choice to re-finish an antique bookcase. I may be showing my bibliophilic proclivities with this list, but I’m a sucker for any material that might pass for the pulchritudinous patina of real wood.

Moso veneer is available in a standard .6mm thickness and multiple dimensions. It also comes in a tantalizing trio of colors—natural, caramel, and khaki–thus nicely approximating a range of lighter-toned woods while staking out its own distinctive aesthetic terrain.