BANATEX-EA: Sustainable Textiles through Upscaling and Commercialisation of Banana Fibre Value addition in East Africa

The BANATEX-EA project aims to bridge the gap between global fibre demand and supply through prompting a sustainable transition to alternative fibres. Conventional natural fibres meet comfort and sustainability demands but are constrained in supply due to climate change, disrupted supply chains and feedstock needs. Synthetic fibres supply dominates the global market, yet raises environmental and health concerns. The consortium aims to build capacity for sustainable fashion and products using banana fibres. These natural fibres offer many environmental advantages and require less water and land.

As a major global banana producer, Uganda is well placed to contribute to this supply of natural fibres through the extraction and preparation of fibres from waste banana stalks, to spinnable staple form. The project aligns strongly with the principles of circularity and resource efficiency through creating value added by-products (waste valorisation) from agricultural waste which would traditionally be disposed of in ways with known environmental impacts (i.e. landfill and open-air burning).

The main goal is to produce a spinnable fibre from raw fibre extracted using a banana fibre preparation process and equipment developed by the National Textile University of Pakistan, as a consortium partner. Additionally, the project team will involve textile mills and suppliers in adopting the product for eventual commercialisation.

The project also aims to promote local economic opportunities and facilitate social impact by enhancing community livelihoods, especially by empowering and training local farmers in the supply of input material, providing farm extension services and providing them with an additional income stream.