Date:09/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/09/stories/2005120903791900.htm

Back Bamboo Corp hopes to pare losses this fiscal

Vipin V. Nair

The increase in revenues is mainly due to the growing demand for Bambooply, which can be used as a substitute for plywood.

Kochi , Dec. 8

KERALA State Bamboo Corporation Ltd (KSBC), a State public sector company, hopes to pare its losses this fiscal on a higher turnover, a top official has said.

"We will reduce our losses this year from last year's Rs 3 crore. Our turnover will rise to Rs 13 crore from Rs 9 crore in 2004-05," said Mr N. C. Balakrishnan, Managing Director of KSBC.

Mr Balakrishnan said the increase in revenues was mainly due to the growing demand for Bambooply, which can be used as a substitute for plywood. Bambooply is made of bamboo mats and veneer, and can be used for panelling, ceilings, partitions and furniture.

He said KSBC is also planning to diversify into manufacturing new products such as corrugated bamboo roofing sheets and composite boards with fibreglass. The National Bamboo Mission has given a grant of Rs 1.20 crore for setting up a factory for corrugated bamboo roofing sheets. Another grant of Rs 85 lakh will be utilised to set up a unit for composite board manufacturing.

KSBC was set up in 1971 to support and uplift traditional bamboo weavers and reed cutters in the State.

Kerala's traditional bamboo workers use reed bamboo (Ochlandra travancorica) to make baskets and mats. KSBC also functions as a channelling agency for distributing reed bamboo to the workers.

The supply of reed bamboo, which takes 3-4 years to mature, has been affected by deforestation. Bamboo flowering, which leads to perishing of the plant, has also created a shortage.

As against its allotted quantity of 30,000 tonnes of reed bamboo a year, KSBC is only using 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes. A bulk of this quantity is given to bamboo weavers.

Plastic products, which are cheaper and more durable, have greatly reduced the use of bamboo mats and other products.

However, KSBC is winning customers now due to the eco-friendly features of bamboo, Mr Balakrishnan said, adding that the company is also looking at exports to the UAE and Africa.