Bananatex facts for kids
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| Type | Fabric |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 168: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Inception | October 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 168: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Available | Yes |
| Current supplier | QWSTION |
| Website | https://www.bananatex.info/ |
Bananatex is a special fabric made from Abacá banana plants. It's a natural material that can break down safely into the environment, which is called biodegradable. This strong fabric is also known as "Manila hemp."
The Abacá plants grow in the Philippines. They are part of a special project that helps forests stay healthy and grow back. This project is in a place called Catanduanes. Bananatex was created by a Swiss company named QWSTION. They use it in their own products, like bags, and other companies use it too.
Bananatex was made to be stronger than cotton. It also helps the environment more. While it's not as tough as some man-made materials like Cordura, it's much better for the planet. Cordura is a type of plastic and doesn't break down naturally. Bananatex comes in many colors. You can also get it with a natural beeswax coating that makes it waterproof.
Contents
How Bananatex Was Created
Bananatex took three years to develop. It was created by QWSTION, a fashion company from Zurich, Switzerland. QWSTION started in 2008. Their goal was to find natural materials to replace man-made fabrics. They wanted to solve problems caused by oil-based materials used in clothing. These problems affect the environment, money, and people. Bananatex was made with help from a company in Tainan, Taiwan that makes yarn.
Making Bananatex: From Plant to Fabric
Unlike cotton and some other natural fibers, Abacá plants don't need special sprays to kill bugs or weeds. They also don't need extra water. This means they can grow in mixed forests, not just one type of plant. They can even grow where forests were cut down for wood.
Growing Abacá plants helps the earth. They can stop soil from washing away and bring back different kinds of plants and animals. They also make the soil richer. This happens because Abacá plants are grown with other plants. Also, their old leaves break down and put nutrients back into the soil.
Growing Abacá Plants
The Abacá plants grow in the highlands of Catanduanes in the Philippines. They don't need extra water or bug sprays. Farmers can harvest parts of the banana plant up to three times each year.
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1. Abacá plants have many stalks. Farmers can harvest them every year, and they grow back fully.
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2. Farmers harvest Abacá plants by cutting the leaves and stalks. The cut leaves become natural fertilizer for the soil.
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3. The outer layer of the leaf, called the "tuxy," has the main fibers. It is separated from the inner layers.
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4. The inner layers have other fibers and soft material.
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5. Workers separate the tuxies by hand using a special knife right where the plants are harvested.
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6. The fibers are then "combed" to separate them even more.
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7. The fibers are dried in the air and tied into bundles. Then, they are taken from the forest to a storage place.
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8. At the storage place, the fibers are sorted by color. Lighter fibers are more expensive because they are harder to find.
Turning Fibers into Paper
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1. The raw fibers are tied up and sent to Mindanao in the Philippines. There, they are boiled and pressed into sheets that look like cardboard. These sheets are then sent to Taiwan.
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2. The Abacá fiber sheets are soaked in water.
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3. They are then made into paper, which is cut into long strips.
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4. These paper strips are then spun into yarn, which is like thick thread.
Dyeing and Weaving the Fabric
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1. The natural white yarn goes to QWSTION's partners in Tainan, Taiwan. They color the yarn using a method called "yarn dyeing." This way of dyeing is better for the environment than other methods. It also meets a high safety standard called OekoTex® Standard 100.
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2. The long threads, called warp yarns, are prepared for weaving.
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3. The yarn is then woven very tightly to make a strong fabric.
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Machines called looms weave the Bananatex fabric.
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4. A natural beeswax coating is added to the fabric. This makes it waterproof.
Products Made with Bananatex
Many companies use Bananatex in their products:
- QWSTION: They make different kinds of bags and laptop sleeves.
- Good News x H&M: This London shoe company worked with H&M to create sneakers.
- Magazin x Softline: Magazin and a Danish furniture company called Softline made a daybed with a Bananatex cover.
- PALAIUS: This company makes the MAE Chair. It's a handmade chair with a steel frame and Bananatex fabric.
Why Bananatex is Special
The fibers from Abacá hemp are very strong and long, about 2 to 3 meters. Because of these qualities, Bananatex is tough and lasts a long time. It is also soft, light, and easy to bend. This makes it useful for many different products.
Awards for Bananatex
Bananatex has won several awards for its design and sustainability:
- 2020: German Sustainability Award Design 2021 Winner (Category: Pioneers)
- 2019: Bundespreis Ecodesign Winner (Category: Product)
- 2019: Design Preis Schweiz Winner (Category: Textile Design)
- 2019: Green Product Award 2019, Category: Material for Bananatex® by QWSTION
- 2019: Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards 2019, Gold in category: Marketing Communication B2C for Bananatex
- 2018: Goldener Hase, Category: Design for Bananatex by QWSTION
