10 March 2025, by Claudia Esveldt
During our Bamboo Month, we are putting Project Bamboo in the spotlight. It has been two years (spring 2023) since we launched this investment project, and there have been many developments in the meantime: our Corekeesplot in Portugal is growing well and the European bamboo market is booming.
High time to talk to one of the key players in Project Bamboo: João Ludovico, Carbon, Data & Impact manager. João grew up in the 'bamboo farm' region and has a passion for sustainability and technological innovation. After studying in the Netherlands for several years, he is now responsible for general field management and the collection and management of ecological data.
Hi João, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
"My name is João Ludovico, I am 26 years old and I am originally from the Algarve, in the south of Portugal. My educational background is in agricultural engineering and plant sciences, and my professional experience focuses mainly on carbon removal projects."
How did you become involved in Project Bamboo?
"It's a very special story. I was finishing my master's degree in Wageningen and chose a course with a project on growing bamboo in Portugal." I was accepted and had no idea that the project location (Alcoutim) was very close to my hometown. After completing my master's degree and a one-year internship in the Netherlands, I returned to Portugal to start working for Bamboologic.
What does an average working day look like for you?
My working day consists of two main tasks. The first involves daily activities on site, such as managing the plantation, planning fertilisation and conducting research. I am responsible for collecting and analysing data on site to assess the impact on various parameters. I also work closely with external parties.
In addition, my work focuses on everything related to carbon removal. This includes starting up projects, taking soil samples and monitoring developments in carbon credits to stay abreast of trends and changes. I also work on methodologies, reporting and validation with companies involved in carbon credits."
What are the biggest challenges in growing bamboo and how have you overcome them?
"One of the biggest challenges in growing bamboo is adapting this crop to the southern European climate. Our location in Alcoutim presents several obstacles, such as degraded soils, extreme summer weather conditions and water shortages.
Although bamboo is known to be a very resilient crop, it is essential to tailor its cultivation needs to the difficult conditions in Alcoutim. This process requires constant adjustments and learning."
How do you see the development of the European bamboo market?
As someone who has been involved in several bamboo projects, I have experienced first-hand the potential of the European bamboo market. My experience of growing bamboo in Portugal has given me an insight into both the challenges and opportunities involved in adapting this crop to southern European conditions. Despite the obstacles, we have made significant progress by implementing innovative solutions, such as water-saving systems and soil enrichment techniques.
I believe that the European bamboo market is ready for growth, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable products and the versatility of bamboo in various sectors.
From construction to textiles, bamboo offers a promising alternative to traditional materials. I am excited to see how our efforts in Portugal (and Europe) contribute to a broader shift towards sustainable practices in Europe.
What is the most remarkable fact about bamboo?
‘For me, one of the most impressive facts about bamboo is that it is the most efficient terrestrial plant for carbon sequestration. In a world where climate change and biodiversity conservation are crucial, it is wonderful to work with such a special crop.
Bamboo's ability to sequester carbon quickly makes it a valuable tool in the fight against environmental pollution. And a small shout-out to seagrass and Paulownia trees, which are also extremely efficient carbon-sequestering plants!"
How is the bamboo doing on the Corekees plot in Portugal?
The bamboo on the Corekees plot is doing very well so far. During the winter, the plants have focused on expanding and strengthening the rhizomes that will support the new shoots of the next season.
The plants may look a little yellowish now, but that is normal for this time of year. What triggers the growth of new shoots is usually the temperature of the soil/air and the relative humidity.
At the time of writing, we expect the first shoots to appear soon – usually around the beginning of March.
If you had to name three reasons why people should invest in European bamboo, and specifically in Project Bamboo, what would they be?
Sustainability and carbon sequestration
Bamboo is an exceptional crop for carbon sequestration and can absorb significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. By investing in Project Bamboo, you are contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and a greener future. This project offers certified CO2 offsets and guarantees a tangible ecological impact.
Economic stability and growth
Investing in European bamboo offers stable long-term returns. Bamboo requires only a one-time planting and can then be harvested for decades, providing attractive financial benefits.
Preserving biodiversity in challenging environments
Our focus is on growing bamboo in Southern Europe, where ecological conditions are often difficult due to degraded soils, extreme summers and water shortages. This shows how resilient bamboo is! By investing in bamboo, you are supporting the preservation of biodiversity in areas where it is most needed.
Our efforts not only help bamboo adapt to these challenging conditions, but also contribute to ecological balance and sustainable agricultural practices.
Project Bamboo is a forestry project in Portugal that produces European bamboo for CO2 compensation and as a sustainable raw material for industrial manufacturers.
