Can fabric be made from pineapple leaves? The fashion world has been revolving from ages ago. From straight stovepipe trousers in the ’50s, ponchos in the ’60s, bell bottom pants in the ’70s, spandex in the ’80s, minimalist style in the ’90s, and mix and match in the 2000s, fashion has actively and colourful evolved along with time.
In addition, materials that make those flashy outfits and earth-tone fabrics have also undergone a massive process. Polyester, silk, and cotton are the go-to materials in the fabric we have today.
However, have you ever heard of fabric made from pineapple leaves?
If you’re not thinking of the fruit, it actually is! A Singapore start-up innovates a new creation by turning the leaves of the sweet and tart pineapple into fabric! How cool is that?
Nextevo, the start-up company, aims to underline different choices for established textiles. They’re using agricultural waste like pineapple leaves to make fabric for clothes.
What is the process?
The founder, Harold Koh (61), said they’re venturing with cannery companies and farmers to buy pineapple leaves. These local entrepreneurs are from Indonesia and Thailand.
Here are the steps taken by their company to make the fabric:
After collecting the leaves, they’ll undergo a process called ‘decortication’. The fibre is extracted from the leaves.
Next, the extracted leaves are dried under the sun before it’s processed into a ready-to-spin, cotton form.
The artisans and designers are responsible to dye the yarn and patterning the weave. It all depends on their creativity.
Here are some examples:
Finally, the result is very satisfying. It becomes Nextevo’s organic pineapple leaf (PALF) textile. Koh stated it’s as similar to cotton and has a cooling feeling to the touch.
Pineapple leaves are natural decomposers
This agricultural waste will decompose naturally which enriches the soil with nutrients.
PALF textile is a ‘sustainable alternative’ to typical fabric blends. And unlike cotton, pineapple leaves are the natural byproduct of pineapple cultivation. Therefore, they don’t need other resources to grow the leaves.
Koh added, “The only resource you need is hiring somebody to cut the leaves.”
Why pineapple leaves and not others?
Interestingly, Koh ran large multinational corporations for almost 50 years previously. The last nine were spent at a pineapple production company.
When he voiced his plan of leaving the job in early 2019, Koh’s friend, an owner of the largest coconut producers in the world, approached him.
Koh stated, “[My friend] said, ‘look at the husk, we have plenty of husks! We need to get rid of the husk!'”
Jokingly, Koh answered, “Why don’t you do it yourself!”
But, it got him thinking of the possibilities. Fast forward to June 2019, Nextevo was born.
As of now, Nextevo’s headquarters is in Singapore. They’re currently housing their product development, sales and marketing, and fundraising functions there.
Even though the resources are taken mainly from Indonesia and Thailand, the production process happens in the latter.
Exciting news! Koh also said they want to spread their wings to the Philippines and Vietnam!
Who would’ve thought the humble pineapple leaves could be the game changer in the fashion industry?
Sources: Mothership, Website Nextevo