P I N E A P P L E   F I B E R

 

Pineapple  is  one  of t he most widely cultivated tropical fruits in the world, mainly in Asian countries. In 2021, its production reached 28.6 million tons, resulting in a considerable amount of “waste” being discarded. However, it is possible to create a fiber from its leaves, which would otherwise go unused.

This fiber has been used since  the 17th century in the Philippines and, given the large-scale  production of  pineapple, has the  potential for  more widespread use. It is a hard but light and soft material, biodegradable, with low density, high strength, and easy color retention. Additionally, it has a low cost and its production process requires little energy, as it relies on human labor.

The fiber can be used alone or blended with other  materials and,  depending  on how it is  processed, can have various applications, such as making faux leather, shoes, or embroidery, among others.

Some  European  companies sell products made with pineapple  fiber, but  there is not yet a chain of extraction and processing of the leaves to obtain the fiber in Europe. Materials are imported from Asia, making it a less environmentally friendly practice. In Portugal, it is certainly a market to be explored, as this country produces around 1 million tons of pineapple in the Azores. The production and use of this fiber not only benefit the environment but also local economies by creating jobs and adding value to agriculture.

 

 

 

M I L K   F I B E R

 

The  use of milk,  specifically  casein protein , for clothing  production  is  not  a  recent innovation.  This  fiber  was  created  in the  1930s  and  was  used  to  make  a material  extremely  similar to wool.

The  application  of  this  material,  besides  utilizing dairy residues (which are not intended for human consumption), has the potential to be used for textiles in the biomedical field, as it is a fiber with antibacterial properties. It is  breathable, has good  absorption, and is resistant to UV rays.

Its  drawbacks include  that  milk  residues do  not allow  for large-scale  production, it  is  more  expensive, and the material is not as versatile as others available. Its sustainability can be greater or lesser depending on the production process.

 

Don’t miss the next article, where we will continue to explore the innovative world of sustainable fibers!