MOSO® bamboo history since 1997
MOSO International was founded in 1997, and has since then evolved to become the unchallenged European market leader in the development of innovative and sustainable bamboo products for interior and exterior applications. Follow the time line below to see the mile stones that have contributed to make the MOSO® vision a reality.
1997
MOSO starts selling bamboo
Dutch friends start a business in bamboo flooring, a completely new product in Europe. In the first years, bamboo is imported to a small warehouse in Purmerend. After supplying flooring to craftsmen in the Netherlands, for the growth of the business it is equally, if not more, important to develop a fruitful network of international architects.
1998
First office project
One of the first big steps in setting up a bamboo business, is the order for 6.000 m² industrial bamboo flooring for an office in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
Madrid International Airport
Read more2001
Barajas International Airport in Madrid
As the only bamboo supplier capable to meet the most stringent performance requirements, MOSO acquires the order to supply bamboo for the largest bamboo project ever: 200.000m2 of bamboo ceiling boards for the Barajas International Airport in Madrid, designed by Richard Rogers and Studio Lamela Arquitectos.
Toyota Office
Read more2002
2-ply bamboo flooring
MOSO® develops a 2-ply bamboo flooring (MOSO® Bamboo Supreme). This product’s special construction offers a perfect compromise between durability and stability, providing an ideal solution for large projects.
2002
DMVP joint venture
Together with a Chinese partner MOSO® sets up a production plant entirely focused on the production of bamboo veneer: DMVP. Up until today DMVP is the only factory in the world specialised in this product.
2003
Bona lacquer
MOSO® is the first bamboo supplier worldwide to provide customers with the possibility to have their bamboo floors lacquered with BONA; the leading wooden flooring lacquer producer in terms of quality and sustainability.
2004
New MOSO® office
Continuous growth after its establishment forces MOSO® to move to a new office with a spacious warehouse (Marowijne 43 in Zwaag, near Amsterdam).
2006
High Density® flooring
MOSO® launches High Density®, a special version of MOSO® bamboo flooring which is made by compressing bamboo strips under very high pressure, resulting in the hardest natural floor available on the market.
BMW Dashboard
Read more2006
BMW dashboard
Thanks to excellent and consistent product performance, MOSO® was selected as the exclusive supplier of bamboo veneer for BMW’s dashboards, opening up a completely new industry for bamboo products.
Certifications
Read more2008
FSC® certification
Globally recognised as the best certification system for responsible wood production, FSC® is now also available for bamboo. As pioneer in the bamboo industry, MOSO® is able to provide bamboo products with FSC® certification (FSC C002063).
Certifications
Read more2008
CE marking
The European Union demands that all building products meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements, which is organised with CE-marking. All MOSO flooring products are CE marked.
2008
Unibamboo
With Unibamboo MOSO® has developed the first flexible bamboo flooring in the world. This innovative flooring product, patented by MOSO®, combines the virtues of carpet / vinyl with the charm of bamboo.
2009
MOSO China
A new office was established near Hangzhou along with a workshop, to produce all MOSO® sample materials. Besides the office of MOSO China, a new office was established in Hong Kong to deal with direct exports from China to customers.
2009
Barcelona office
MOSO® opens up a new office in Barcelona and establishes MOSO Europe SLU, in order to better serve the Southern European and Latin American markets.
2010
Topbamboo flooring
With Topbamboo, MOSO® shows yet again its talent for the development of products that are in line with the latest market trends. This new flooring product is very easy to install, economical, stable and available in many different colours and finishes.
Residenza Lotus
Read more2010
Bamboo outdoor
MOSO® launches Bamboo X-treme®, the first outdoor bamboo decking product meeting the highest performance and durability requirements in Western markets. This is achieved due to the special Thermo-Density® process, patented by MOSO®.
Sustainability
Read more2011
CO2 neutral or better
Official LCA and carbon footprint studies (ISO14040/44) conducted by the Delft University of Technology, conclude that all solid MOSO bamboo products are CO2 neutral or better over their full life cycle. The fast growth of the Moso bamboo species is an additional green benefit which is not included in the LCA.
Certifications
Read more2012
Low emissions
Based on extensive testing by the Bremer Umweltinstitut, all MOSO® bamboo floors have been rated A and A+ in France with respect to emissions of volatile organic compounds: the best classification possible!
Van Oord Head Office
Read more2013
Bamboo beams
The introduction of a broad assortment of MOSO® bamboo beams further stimulates the endorsement of bamboo in semi-structural applications, such as doors and window frames.
Midwives Clinic "Groei" Amsterdam
Read more2014
Flexbamboo
The multi-functional, flexible finishing product Flexbamboo facilitates quick installation and enables the creation of curved surfaces. Flexbamboo can be applied in flooring, walls, and ceilings.
MOSO Head Office Cladding
Read more2015
New office MOSO International
With more than 30 employees in the Netherlands and a continuously growing assortment and stock, MOSO® moves to a new sustainable office and the biggest bamboo warehouse in Europe.
2015
New office MOSO Europe
To better serve the architects and designers looking for bamboo inspiration, MOSO Europe moves to a new office building in the city-center of Barcelona.
MOSO establishes MOSO Africa in Cape Town
Read more2015
MOSO Africa
The new subsidiary, a joint venture between MOSO International and the established South African company Panda Bamboo, starts operating from the Cape Town office and acts as a hub for Sub-Saharan Africa.
MOSO Bamboo LCA and EPD
Read more2016
Environmental Product Declaration
MOSO® is the first bamboo company worldwide to have published various independently verified EPD’s (EN 15804) for its product range. This kind of so-called Type III EPD merits credits for transparency in environmental reporting for leading green building schemes such as LEED and BREEAM.
Contact us
Read more2016
MOSO Italia
After acting as a distributor for many years, MOSO Italia is the 4th official subsidiary of MOSO International. The young company moves to an inspiring new location near Milan.
2016
ATEX certification
Customised MOSO Density® flooring is certified for railway stations and airport halls – ATEX from CSTB/FCBA in France. This is the first time that bamboo is officially considered as good and even better than any other wood.
Contact us
Read more2017
MOSO Middle East
MOSO Middle East, established at the beginning of 2017, focuses on the GCC area: UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This venture is highly involved in architecture and in the building industry, and is based in Dubai.
MOSO® announces MOSO North America, Inc.
Read more2017
MOSO North America
With a dedicated team serving the US and Canadian market, MOSO® launches the new subsidiary MOSO North America. The focus is on the outdoor collection Bamboo X-treme®. MOSO® now serves customers worldwide with 7 offices and more than 60 employees.
2017
Fire resistant outdoor products
MOSO® products are all tested according to European standards for fire resistance. Additionally, MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® is tested in the USA and reaches flame spread index Class A following US standard ASTM E84 without use of fire retardants, making the product especially interesting for commercial projects.
Beer Sheva Bridge
Read moreThe future
Our vision
“To become the world’s leading company in high quality bamboo solutions for durable indoor and outdoor applications.”