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What if your clothes were made from milk, carrot or seaweed?


As the textile industry faces sustainability crisis, enter more eco-friendly alternatives: banana, milk, carrot, and seaweed fibres.

WEB DESK: The textile industry has long been reliant on cotton and other resource-heavy crops. It is now facing a sustainability crisis as climate change intensifies and water resources grow scarcer. Designers and manufactures are now seeking out eco-friendly alternatives to traditional fibres. Enter the unique world  of unconventional textiles: banana, milk, pineapple leaf, carrot, flax and seaweed fibres.

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These ‘eco-fibres’ not only push the boundaries of fashion but also offer promising solutions to the environmental challenges plaguing the industry.

Banana fibre: From fruit waste to fashion

Banana fibre is made by extracting the fibres after the banana plant’s stalk, which would have otherwise been discarded after fruit harvest.

Often overlooked as a waste product, the pseudostems of banana plants are being repurposed into high-qualify fibre. The material is derived through labour-intensive process and has gained attention for its strength, softness and biodegradability.

Banana fibre is made by extracting the fibres after the banana plant’s stalk, which would have otherwise been discarded after fruit harvest.

Its ‘stretch’ strength and unique texture (softer than jute but rougher than silk) makes it a good choice for home textiles, fashion accessories and even more technical textiles.

Some designers have incorporated and even blended banana fibre with other materials into their works. However, it still has a long way to go before it can upend the traditional fibres.

Milk fibre: Protein-packed fabric

While milk fibre’s discovery or usage is not new, having been first produced in 1935 in Italy, its usage did not catch on and the unique fibre soon fell into obscurity.

While milk fibre’s discovery or usage is not new, having been first produced in 1935 in Italy, its usage did not catch on and the unique fibre soon fell into obscurity.

Also known as the casein fibre, this unique product sounds something more about of a science fiction novel to modern minds.

The product is derived from the casein protein in milk and is a semisynthetic fabric. The process to extract the casein begins with acidifying the milk and then spun into fibres. The resulting fibre is soft, breathable, and moisture-absorbent, making it ideal for specific use and even summer clothing.

Unlike polyester, milk fibre is biodegradable, making it a more sustainable alternative. The fibre has since grown in popularity, though mostly in niche industries and markets.

Its smooth texture can be used to market it as an alternative to silk. However, it has yet to gain popularity in the mainstream markets.

Pineapple leaf fibre: A slice of luxury?

Pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) has been used for centuries in the Philippines to craft the pina fabric. It is extracted from the tough leaves of the pineapple plant.

Pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) has been used for centuries in the Philippines to craft the pina fabric. It is extracted from the tough leaves of the pineapple plant.

The fibres are soft, translucent and possess a silk-like quality. However, many wearers have complaint about the fabric feeling ‘itchy’.

PALF is not only biodegradable but also strong and lightweight, reflecting the humid and hot climate it hails from. These qualities make it an excellent choice for both traditional and even industrials applications.

As of now, the pineapple leaf fibre is used to make upholstery, bags and even automotive parts.  

Carrot fibre: More than just a vision aid

Carrot pulp, leftovers from juice extractions, found new life in the hands of some really creative and smart minds. The sustainable material found a second chance to be useful in the form of carrot fibre.

Carrot fibre is made by processing the carrot pulp into fibres that can be used in textiles and even biopolymers. The material is lightweight, biodegradable and can even be used in bioplastics, helping relieve pressure on environment from the harmful effects of non-degradable plastic.  

This truly eco-friendly product minimises waste and addresses a growing demand for renewable materials. Unlike other products mentioned, carrot fibre, unfortunately has yet to break into markets.

Flax fibre: Ancient, ever-relevant

Flax, the ancient plant that is not just a protein powerhouse for vegans but used to make your favourite linen! The fibre is known for its durability and breathability, making it an ideal alternative on a mass scale production level.

Flax, the ancient plant that is not just a protein powerhouse for vegans but used to make your favourite linen! The fibre is known for its durability and breathability, making it an ideal alternative on a mass scale production level.

The production of flax also requires fewer amount of pesticides and water than other crops. The protein-packed plant on average requires about 15 to 24 inches of water during its growing season. In contrast, water-hungry cotton require 24 to 47 inches of water at minimum! The Caspian Sea was almost drained dry due to cotton production during Soviet times and later by the  newly independent Central Asian states.

Flax fibres are used in lightweight garments, bedding and tablecloths. It is even used in manufacturing canvases.

Unlike other fibres, flax fibre enjoys a historical significance: linen production dates back to ancient Egypt.

Seaweed fibre: From oceans to wardrobes

Seaweed textiles has been making waves for a while now. Derived from brown, red and green seaweeds, these fibres are an emerging trend in the sustainable textiles.

Seaweed textiles has been making waves for a while now. Derived from brown, red and green seaweeds, these fibres are an emerging trend in the sustainable textiles.

The fibre is harvested from coastal areas where seaweed can typically be found. Seaweeds can grow without the need for freshwater or synthetic fertilisers, making it by far, the most sustainable product.

The process of creating seaweed fabric involves drying, grinding and sometimes creating chemically treating the fibres. They are then spun into textiles.  

One of the most well-known product is SeaCellTM,, a product made from seaweed and cellulose. The resulting material is soft, breathable and biodegradable.

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Unfortunately, the fabric is still in early developmental stages much like the carrot fibre. It would require targeted marketing to engage the public and establish a strong clientele.

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