Bananatex is the world’s first durable, waterproof fabric made purely from Banana plants. Cultivated within a natural ecosystem of sustainable forestry, the plant (Abaca) requires no chemical treatments.
Its self-sufficiency has made it an important contributor to reforestation of areas once eroded by Palm plantations, whilst enhancing the prosperity of local farmers. Three years of research and development resulted in a new material that answers questions of environmental, economic and social sustainability.
As an open source project Bananatex offers a viable alternative to the synthetic fabrics that the majority of bags are made of today.
The search for a Sustainable Bag
Behind the development of Bananatex, the world’s first technical fabric made from banana fibre, is a collaboration of Swiss bag brand QWSTION, a Taiwanese yarn specialist and QWSTION’s weaving partner based in Taipei, Taiwan. These three parties partnered up to engage in the intense development and production process behind the new fabric, united by the drive to make a positive impact on the planet’s future.
QWSTION invested three years of research, testing and development to create a truly sustainable material. It is about developing sustainable and flexible solutions for mobility. All of its bags come with multiple carrying options to adapt to daily needs and pursuits – be it business, leisure or travel. As a premium brand positioned between fashion and function, the company wants its products to be durable and practical companions for its customers. QWSTION found that reinventing the bag may be difficult – but enhancing it is not. Improving its products is an ongoing process which QWSTION pursues with great passion.
Why are the vast majority of backpacks made from environmentally harmful fibres? The answer is simple: it’s cheaper – largely due to the fact that fewer humans are involved in the process of making synthetic textiles than in that of their plant-based counterparts. This leads to another pertinent question: Is it better to prioritise consumer accessibility via a low price point, or to offer a steady source of income to a greater number of people? The complexity of tackling this challenge is enormous, which motivated QWSTION all the more to find solutions.
Functional + Sustainable
Since the beginning of QWSTION almost a decade ago, the company has been exploring ways to make bags made from renewable resources – ones which are just as functional as they are sustainable. After years of testing natural alternatives to synthetic textiles, the company achieved its goal of using only natural, organically grown fibres for the shell fabrics with 100% organic cotton. The key was to develop a way to manipulate soft, flexible cotton fibres to create strong, durable bags. But the company knew it could push the envelope even further, so it continued the research.
In 2015 it first came across a plant of the Banana tree family known locally as Banana Hemp or Abacá, and its potential as the next step in the sustainability mission was immediately apparent. The inherent properties align with the company’s commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability.
The Abacá
Grown within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, the Abacá is sturdy and self-sufficient, requiring no pesticides or extra water. These qualities have allowed it to contribute to reforestation in areas of former Philippine jungle eroded by soil damage due to monocultural palm plantations, whilst enhancing the economic prosperity of its farmers.
For Bananatex, contributing to a better Planet begins with sourcing – guided by the available expertise in different locations, whilst keeping a low environmental footprint. Each Abacá plant has several stalks that can be harvested once a year, and regenerate fully within one year. The first step is “topping”: cutting the leaves, then “tumbling” the stalks. The leaves are left to decompose, creating a natural fertiliser. The stripping is handled at the harvesting site, and the fibres are “combed” to separate them from one another. Then the raw fibres are sorted at the warehouse of the farmers’ cooperative.
Once the Abacá fibres have been transformed into yarn in a Taiwanese paper mill, the yarn – in the case of the All Black colourway – is coloured using the yarn dyeing method. This process is more sustainable than the typical roll dyeing alternative, and certified to the highest standard (Oeko-Tex Standard 100). The Natural White colourway reflects the actual colour of the fibres and is accordingly not dyed.
Design and development begins at the brand’s studio in Zurich, Switzerland, and the fabric is made across Asia – a label the brand wears with transparency, responsibility and pride.
The Collection
The Roll Pack
The Roll Pack is based on the concept of a versatile container that can adapt to its content due to a flexible roll top closure. A large, expandable main body contains multiple inner compartments, including a Merino felt-lined sleeve which fits up to 15” MacBook Pro. A YKK metal zipper with a unique cotton tape instead of the usual plastic one allows direct access to the main compartment via side entry, and the layout of small interior pockets is arranged to give frequently-used items a practical spot. Adjustable backpack straps and a modular handle provide versatile carrying options.
The Hip Pouch
The Hip Pouch is a small bag for holding essentials with adjustable hip and shoulder carry options. Two inner compartments allow for the safe storage of small items. Its main compartment fastens with a YKK metal zipper with cotton tape, and the Hip Pouch’s water-resistant finish is complemented by vegetable-tanned leather trims. The Hip Pouch is available in Natural White and All Black.
The MAE chair
Bananatex is also being used for the first time in furniture production for the exclusive edition of the MAE Chair. In addition to its sustainability, this fabric is also extremely resistant and – thanks to its beeswax coating – waterproof, making it the perfect material for the MAE Chair, which can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Source: https://www.qwstion.com
