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-Mr. D Kumar,
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“Abaca” fibre is multiple celled, rich in cellulose
and bonded by lignin. Cross markings are rare and fibre tips pointed and flat,
ribbon like individual fibre diameter range from 14 to 50 microns and the
length from 0.25 cm to 1.3 cm. This fibre “Abaca” belongs to musa sapientum
species and it is none other than “banana” fibre. India’s banana production is 23% of world’s production
which is the largest in the world. Increasing demand of eco-friendly clothing
in developed countries like Europe, USA and Canada, rise in per capita
requirement of textile / garments, preference in using natural fabric over
synthetic fabric in hot and humid tropical and sub tropical climates, view to replace
the energy intensive synthetic fibres like glass and carbon particularly in the
composite manufacture and
cheap cost involved in the production of the fibre boost the demand for banana
fibre.
Presently, waste banana stems pose problem of disposal
and are available almost free of cost in many parts of our country. The use of
banana fibre for textile and other purpose as natural material is a new concept
for India. This can be executed by setting a facility for fibre extraction from
waste stem, cleaning, grading and converting it up to finished readymade
garment. This natural plant fibre also
known to be carbon neutral with high strength can be blended easily with cotton fibre
or other synthetic fibres to produce blended fabric & textiles. It is
mainly used by cottage industry in Southern India at present. Banana fibre also
finds use in high quality security/currency paper, packing cloth for
agriculture products, ship towing ropes, wet drilling cables, composite
materials for automotives, etc.
Though considerable research work has been done on
this fibre by textile research organizations including BITRA, CITRA, KVIC
(Khadi Village Industry Corporation) and NRCB (National Research Centre for
Banana-Trichy), let us also join our hands in making this fibre a very
promising source of natural fibre in future and make India a cleaner greener
and economically grown country.
-Mr. D Kumar, Professor
