Professor Thomas Gries of RWTH Aachen University (Germany) presented a research project that focuses on using pineapple fibers to make clothes. This project aims to study 100 different types of pineapples from Colombia and Thailand to better understand their quality.
The Piñ aFibre project aims to transform plant waste, specifically pineapple leaves, into environmentally friendly fibers for the apparel industry. By doing so, they hope to create a chain in which bio-based materials can be effectively utilized. The project will involve making and evaluating different resources, such as coated fibers and pineapple leaf fiber yarn (PALF), focusing on their properties, how they fit into the production process, and their suitability for the market.
The Germans are interested in using PALF as a sustainable material for manufacturing textiles and composites. PALF also provides a way for farmers in the tropics to earn additional income by growing drought-resistant pineapples. Farmers can sell the fruit locally or export it and use the leaves for industrial purposes.
To ensure the sustainability of pineapple production, the project will help develop new types of pineapples through a breeding program. They will also develop methods to understand the physical and genetic characteristics of pineapples and find genetic markers associated with economically important traits. This will help breeders focus on growing pineapples that are both edible and make fiber, which will benefit different groups.
