Banneton materials explained:

wood pulp vs paper pulp vs sugarcane & bamboo

Not all bannetons are created equal. Even when they look similar, the materials and manufacturing methods can differ significantly, affecting how they perform in your kitchen.

The type of fibre used, how it's processed, and how much natural lignin remains - all affect durability, moisture control, and long-term baking performance.

Below we explain the key differences between spruce wood pulp, paper pulp, and sugarcane & bamboo composite bannetons.

Traditional rattan bannetons are not included, as they are woven from solid cane and behave differently from pressed-fibre baskets in terms of structure, moisture interaction, and care.

Material Comparison

Feature Wood Pulp (Bulka) Paper Pulp Sugarcane + Bamboo
Wall Thickness Thick Thick Thin
Appearance Warm Cream Greyish or white White / off-white
Weight Heavier, solid feel ~1/4 lighter than wood pulp Lightweight
Processing Method Mechanical only Chemical¹ Chemical² ³
Natural Lignin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High ⭐Minimal ⭐⭐Moderate
Added Binders NO YES YES
Fibre Strength ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐High ⭐⭐Lower ⭐⭐⭐Moderate
Moisture Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Excellent ⭐⭐⭐Good ⭐⭐⭐Good
Long-Term Baking ✔ Yes ❌ No ⚪ Varies

What is lignin and why it matters in a bread proofing basket

Lignin is the natural substance in wood that holds fibres together, giving them strength and structure, and acting as a natural binder.

In bannetons, lignin plays an important role because it:

  • Helps fibres bind naturally, without synthetic binders
  • Improves structural strength and durability
  • Helps baskets maintain shape through repeated wet / dry cycles
  • Supports a breathable surface for consistent dough proofing

For bakers, this means your banneton will hold its shape better, resist warping from moisture, and last through hundreds of bakes.

The amount of lignin left in a banneton depends on both the fibre type and the pulping process.

Wood vs paper vs grass fibres:

why wall thickness differs

Spruce Wood Pulp

Spruce is a softwood with naturally long fibres and higher lignin content. When processed mechanically using water, steam, and pressure, much of this lignin is retained.

This allows wood pulp bannetons to be made with:

  • Thick, self-supporting walls
  • Warm cream colour
  • Excellent moisture control
  • Long-term durability for repeated baking

Paper Pulp

Paper pulp bannetons are commonly made from recycled paper that has been chemically de-inked and bleached¹. Most of natural lignin is removed during recycling, resulting in shorter, weaker fibres that often rely on binders to hold shape.

Sugarcane & Bamboo Fibres

Sugarcane (bagasse) and bamboo are grasses, not wood.
For most commercial pressed-fibre products, these fibres are typically chemically pulped² ³, a process that removes most natural lignin before the material is formed into products. With less lignin available for natural binding, these materials are usually formed into thin, lightweight walls.
While sugarcane and bamboo have a strong sustainability story, their structural performance depends heavily on wall thickness, fibre density, and the use of additives. Although some sugarcane and bamboo bannetons are well-constructed, their thinner walls and lower lignin content generally result in less effective moisture management and a shorter lifespan compared to wood pulp baskets.

  • What appearance can tell you

    Visual and ntactile cues often reflect how a banneton was made:

    • Warm cream colour & solid weight: higher retained lignin and stronger natural fibres
    • Greyish or bright white colour: chemically processed or recycled paper fibres
    • Thin walls & very light weight: grass based composites with minimal natural binding


    Natural colour and pulp consistency variations, subtle lignin spots are normal characteristics of real wood pulp.

  • Why Bulka uses spruce wood pulp

    Bulka bannetons are made using mechanical pulping of fresh spruce wood — a process that uses only water, steam, and pressure to shape the fibres while preserving their natural lignin, without chemical treatment, binders, or coatings.

    This preserves the fibres’ natural structure, which allows for:

    • Natural lignin retention
    • Thick, durable walls
    • Reliable moisture control
    • Long-term performance for sourdough baking

      Our baskets are designed to be used again and again, not just look good on day one.

  • Understanding banneton pricing:

    Cost vs Value


    Banneton pricing reflects material choice, processing method, and manufacturing
    approach.


    What Affects Wood Pulp Banneton Pricing
    Spruce wood pulp bannetons require:

    • Fresh, high-quality wood fibre (not recycled materials)
    • Mechanical processing that retains natural lignin
    • More raw fibre per basket due to thick, dense walls
    • Hand-formed and hand-finished production, rather than fully automated pressing

      Each basket is shaped, dried, and finished by hand, which requires more time and skilled craftsmanship.

      Different Manufacturing Approaches
      Other banneton types use different production methods:
    • Paper pulp: Produced from recycled paper fibres using automated shaping/pressing
    • Sugarcane and bamboo composites: Designed for high-volume production, pressed into thin, uniform forms

      These manufacturing differences result in:
    • Different material costs (recycled vs. fresh fibres)
    • Different wall thickness and fibre density
    • Different levels of automation vs. hand-finishing

    What This Means for Your Purchase
    The production factors that increase upfront cost of wood pulp bannetons (thicker walls, natural lignin retention, hand-finishing) are the same factors that contribute to their durability, moisture control, and long-term performance.

Caring for Your Banneton

All bannetons require proper care. Wood pulp bannetons need brushing to remove flour buildup and thorough drying after each use to prevent mould formation. With proper care, they'll serve you reliably for years.

For complete care instructions, visit our care guide

References

Paper Pulp Processing

Recycled paper undergoes chemical de-inking, bleaching, and pulping processes that remove most natural lignin. These processes typically use sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other bleaching agents.
Source: U.S. EPA - Paper Making and Recycling | Wikipedia - Bleaching of Wood
Pulp

Sugarcane Bagasse Processing

Commercial bagasse pulping involves acidhydrolysis followed by alkaline treatment and bleaching with chemicals includingsodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite to remove lignin and achieve desired fiberproperties.
Source: BioResources - Sugarcane Bagasse Pulping and Bleaching | Arabian Journalof Chemistry - Chemical Modification of Cellulose

Bamboo Processing

Bamboo pulp production commonly uses kraft pulping, whichinvolves cooking bamboo chips in a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) andsodium sulfide at high temperatures to break down lignin and separate cellulosefibers.
Source: Wikipedia - Kraft Process | Biotechnology for Biofuels - Bamboo Biorefinery Scheme