Fish have benefited from tropical plants, pallets too.
Now, a Swiss rucksack company has joined forces with a Taiwanese yarn manufacturer to create a durable material from banana trees.
The Abacà plant, native to the Philippines, is rich in fibres and doesn’t need pesticides or water to grow.
Harvesting occurs once a year, allowing the plant to regenerate fully. After stripping, the fibres are combed and made into paper.
Thin slices of paper are woven into yarn. A beeswax coating enhances the material’s water-resistant properties.
The company prioritises sustainability, fair working conditions and environmentally-friendly production. The result?
An important certification for the biodegradable material, which has been used for bags, blankets and shoes.
Responsible fashion manufacturers calculate their environmental impact here.
