Prospects of Utilizing Biowaste Pineapple Leaf Fiber for Textile Products

Sustainability is becoming a key concern in the fast-growing textile industry, which is predominated by synthetic fibers. We need to throw some lights in the production of natural-based fibers for manufacturing textile products. However, sustainable textile is not only about the use of nature-based raw material but also preserving our cultural and traditional values of crafts as well as the well-being of artisans and consumers in the world of technology. Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is one of the natural fibers, extracted from the leaves of pineapple. The plant is being cultivated abundantly in the northeast states of India although the leaves are being wasted in the landfill after harvesting fruits. The study was conducted to utilize pineapple leaf waste found in northeast India in making valuable textile products. The aim of the study is to determine and analyze the properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) to check the potentiality in sustainable textiles. A comparison between PALF and main material (silk) use in weaving of northeast traditional textiles was conducted. The study found that the fiber can be used in the manufacturing of innovative textile products, and it can be a raw material for making traditional textiles in northeast India. Hence, northeast India has many opportunities in the field of textile, which will also drive towards the achievement of three SDGs. However, bridges among research institutes, industries, entrepreneurs, and consumers are needed to popularize the fiber.