Textile firm Bananatex has developed a biodegradable light-weight jersey material by extracting fibres from the stalks of Abacá banana crops.
The jersey materials, which was shortlisted within the materials innovation class of Dezeen Awards 2023, is the newest model of a cloth created from the banana plant that Bananatex first launched in 2018.
Bananatex developed the material by extracting fibres from the Abacá plant stalk, that are then cooked right into a pulp.
That is made into yarn by way of a paper-making course of based mostly in Taiwan, which is then knitted, assembled and manufactured into the ultimate product.
On the finish of its life cycle, the material, which is Cradle to Cradle Licensed Gold, may be composted and biodegrades inside 10 weeks in industrial composts and 16 weeks in marine water.
Bananatex can also be presently within the technique of closing the product’s technical cycle by returning used Bananatex material to the pulping course of.
It may then be used to supply new paper and yarn, thus permitting for a round manufacturing course of.
Bananatex goals to attract give attention to the usage of uncooked supplies, pure sources and garment life cycle to handle the subject of sustainability in textile manufacturing.
In keeping with the model, Bananatex material has a tearing and abrasion power that’s “amongst the very best in nature” and will give it the potential to interchange cotton and artificial materials.
The newest material has a softer hand really feel compared to earlier variations and is extra versatile, rising its software prospects inside attire, in response to the model.
“The principle problem in creating the jersey was to get a jersey with washing stability and elasticity values akin to current supplies available on the market,” Bananatex stated.
The Abacá plant from which the material is made is native to the Philippines and “requires no pesticides, fertilizer or additional water,” in response to Bananatex.
“The Abacá crops are cultivated within the Philippines in a pure ecosystem, supporting reforestation and enhancing biodiversity, while enhancing the livelihoods of native farmers and communities,” the model instructed Dezeen.
“These communities generate a secure supply of revenue by harvesting the fibres regularly”.
Comparable initiatives embody sugarcrete by College of East London (UEL), the Sustainability Analysis Institute (SRI) and Grimshaw and a pretend leather-based jacket made utilizing micro organism.
The images is by Bananatex, Qwstion and Lauschsicht.
