Gentle Fabric Made from Bananas
We created fabric from banana fibers, inspired by a desire to find a use for the large number of banana stems that were previously discarded in banana fields.
The Large Volume of Stems that Become Waste
Bananas, a familiar fruit worldwide, are primarily grown in tropical and subtropical regions like the Philippines and Ecuador, which also supply most of the bananas sold in Japan. Banana plants are resilient; after harvesting, new shoots emerge from the remaining stems, bearing fruit again within 3 to 6 months. To cultivate delicious bananas, farmers cut down the harvested stems, leaving only the new shoots. These cut stems are discarded, and globally, about 1 billion tons of banana stems are thrown away annually across 129 countries and regions.*
*Source: The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Fibers and Industry Vol. 60, No. 1 (2004): Banana Textile Project
Natural Fibers from Waste Materials
Interestingly, each discarded banana stem, typically weighing around 25 kg, can yield 500 to 750 grams of fiber. Utilizing banana stems from food production eliminates the need for additional fields and resources, such as water, pesticides, and energy, to grow fiber crops specifically. Extracting natural fibers from what was once waste material to create fabric can contribute significantly to a recycling-oriented society.
Bananas, a familiar fruit worldwide, are primarily grown in tropical and subtropical regions like the Philippines and Ecuador, which also supply most of the bananas sold in Japan. Banana plants are resilient; after harvesting, new shoots emerge from the remaining stems, bearing fruit again within 3 to 6 months. To cultivate delicious bananas, farmers cut down the harvested stems, leaving only the new shoots. These cut stems are discarded, and globally, about 1 billion tons of banana stems are thrown away annually across 129 countries and regions.*
*Source: The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Fibers and Industry Vol. 60, No. 1 (2004): Banana Textile Project
Natural Fibers from Waste Materials
Interestingly, each discarded banana stem, typically weighing around 25 kg, can yield 500 to 750 grams of fiber. Utilizing banana stems from food production eliminates the need for additional fields and resources, such as water, pesticides, and energy, to grow fiber crops specifically. Extracting natural fibers from what was once waste material to create fabric can contribute significantly to a recycling-oriented society.
effective use of resources
we can get 500g-750g fiber from one banana stem
Benefiting Farmers Too
Utilizing banana stems that would otherwise be discarded also has a positive impact on farmers’ lives. In the past, harvested stems were often left piled up in the fields, creating sanitary issues. Removing these stems does more than just eliminate waste; it helps improve local living conditions by preventing groundwater pollution, eliminating foul odors from decay, and addressing public health and environmental issues.
A Fabric Kind to Both Earth and People
We are now using these discarded banana stems to create fabric. Once produced, this fabric is distributed, making its way to consumers worldwide. Here, we’d like to introduce how products made from banana fibers reach your hands.
A Win for Everyone
The fabric created from the natural fibers of discarded banana stems is called "BANANA CLOTH." As traditional natural fibers like cotton and linen face declining cultivation areas, BANANA CLOTH aims to establish itself as a new sustainable natural material.
We invite you to try BANANA CLOTH, a fabric gentle to both the earth and people.
