Bangladesh sees 1st industrial pineapple fibre production test run

06 Aug '21

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

CSI Engineers & Consultants Ltd in Bangladesh has completed the first test run of an industrial pineapple fibre production unit, which, if up-scaled, has the potential to revolutionise the field. Pineapple fibre is primarily used now in small-scale industries making exclusive handicraft products and high-value wedding attires, but its large-scale use requires research and expertise.

The fibre, made from pineapple leaves, has huge potential for sustainable fashion, but the biggest challenge for CSI was to find local industry partners for the first trial, according to Bangla media reports. The second challenge was to make the pineapple fibre suitable for industrial production.

Pineapple fibre is rough and breakable. It needs to be processed mechanically and chemically to make it spinnable and suitable for yarn making for apparel products.

But it has properties making it suitable for home textiles, denim and other apparel, either in in pure form or in combination with other sustainable materials.

The pilot unit was part of a CSI case study as part of its ‘Partnership for Compliance’ concept. In cooperation with research centres and local partners, the partnership has been researching and developing methods to convert pineapple fibre into yarn at industrial scale for the fashion and textile industry.

CSI manufactured a T-Shirt using the fibre. But the industrial process still requires more research and investment to reach the final goal of improving fibre properties so that it can be used as a sustainable raw material for textile and apparel items.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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