Bananatex

Bananatex

id card

100% abaca fibers

composition

Cellulose

building blocks

Organic

material origin

Yarn, Woven sheet

shape

9 – actual system proven in operational environment

TRL

Bananatex® is the world’s first durable, technical fabric made purely from the naturally grown Abacá banana plants.

Cultivated in the Philippine highlands within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, the plant is self-sufficient, requires no pesticides, fertilizer or extra water. These qualities have allowed it to contribute to reforestation in areas once eroded due to monocultural palm plantations, whilst enhancing biodiversity and the economic prosperity of its farmers.

Bananatex
scroll for more images
No items found.

Properties

The Natural White colourway reflects the actual colour of the fibers and is not dyed.

Bananatex® is incredibly strong and durable, while remaining soft, lightweight and supple.
An all-natural wax coating can be applied to make Bananatex® waterproof. The resulting fabric has a smooth and distinctive handfeel.

Cyclability

Definitely compostable!

scroll for more images
No items found.

APPLICATIONS

Footwear, chairs, backpacks, baby accessories, wristbands, outerwear, bike accessories.

FOOTWEAR APPLICATIONS

Upper
Lining

Production process

Abacá is grown within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry. The plant’s inherent properties align with Bananatex' commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability. First the stalks are cut –each Abacá plant has several stalks that can be harvested once a year, and regenerate fully within one year. Next step is “topping”: cutting the leaves, then “tumbling” the stalks. The leaves are left to decompose, creating a natural fertilizer.

The stripping is handled at the harvesting site, and the fibers are “combed” to separate them from one another.

The raw fibers are sorted at the warehouse of the farmers cooperative.

The Abacá fibres will be transformed into yarn in a Taiwanese paper mill, the yarn – in the case of the All Black colourway – is coloured using the yarn dying method. This process is more sustainable than the typical roll dying alternative, and certified to the highest standard (Oeko-Tex® Standard 100). The Natural White colourway reflects the actual color of the fibers and is accordingly not dyed.

scroll for more images
No items found.
Bananatex

Manufacturing facts

Sounds like the timespan of traditional weaving process... what do you think?

production time

Abaca itself is cultivated in the Philippine highlands within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry. Design and development happens at the brand’s studio in Zurich, Switzerland, and the fabric is made in Taiwan.

the factory

Behind the screen

Bananatex Lightweight

Bananatex Mediumweight

Bananatex Heavyweight

products

Hannes Schoenegger, Matthias Graf & Christian Paul Kaegi

founders

2018
Switzerland, Philippines & Taiwan

time & place

QWSTION, H&M, COS

partnerships

Bananatex
Bananatex

CERTIFICATIONS

Cradle to Cradle Gold