A project study on the use of pineapple fibres in the clothing industry was given by Professor Thomas Gries of RWTH Aachen University in Germany. To improve knowledge of pineapple characteristics, 100 cultivars of Thai and Colombian pineapples will be characterized.
By converting plant waste—specifically, pineapple leaves—from the processing of pineapples into sustainable fibers, the PiñaFibre project seeks to create a value chain for the biobased economy. The project will produce and evaluate value-added resources from PALF, such as composites, example yarns, and nano-coated fibers, with an emphasis on their characteristics, value chain integration, and commercial viability.
German stakeholders have already shown a great deal of interest in PALF as a sustainable resource to produce bio-based textiles and composites. Furthermore, PALF offers tropical farmers a chance to enter a new market by producing PALF for industrial usage and fruit for both domestic and international markets. This drought-tolerant crop could also serve as a secondary source of income.
The project will promote the establishment of novel pineapple cultivars through breeding programs, establish phenotyping and genotyping techniques, and find genetic markers linked to economically significant qualities to assure sustainable production practices. By facilitating targeted breeding efforts, this strategy hopes to meet the interests of different stakeholders by producing a dual-purpose crop that produces both fruit and fiber.
Through Project Management Jülich – PTJ, PiñaFibre receives support from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, facilitating the promotion of sustainable practices in the garment industry.
