Taiwan produces 480,000 tons of pineapples annually, but generates over 700,000 tons of pineapple leaves, which are an agricultural byproduct that causes difficulties for farmers. On the other hand, the textile industry heavily relies on fossil-based materials, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change. The Pineapple Leaf Fiber Production and Marketing Cooperative Alliance connects organic farms with the textile value chain, applying pineapple leaf fiber to textiles. This approach addresses the problem of byproduct disposal for pineapple farmers, enhances the value of pineapples, and provides the textile industry with low-emission, low-pollution materials.
UKL Enterprise, Tuchen Textile, and the Pineapple Leaf Fiber Production and Marketing Cooperative Alliance have established Taiwan's first fully localized pilot production line, developing textiles made from eco-friendly pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). Unlike other natural fibers or cotton, which are cultivated for economic value and can lead to additional carbon emissions and water resource wastage, pineapple leaf fiber does not generate extra carbon emissions or water waste.
Leveraging their understanding of pineapple leaf fiber properties, the team has innovatively developed "Eco-Friendly Pineapple Fiber Fabric Design," focusing on the composition, color, and texture to meet high-quality and environmental standards. By combining the textile industry’s expertise with Taiwan's pineapple-growing advantages, this cross-industry collaboration recycles local agricultural byproducts into textile raw materials, fostering sustainable textile and fashion industries and creating new opportunities for the textile sector. Additionally, the entire pineapple plant can be utilized, with pineapple leaf fiber being made into cotton and wool yarn specifications. These fibers are applied in circular knitting machines, flat knitting products, and woven fabrics.
Circular Strategy
- Biomaterials/Recycled Materials: The primary material used is natural pineapple leaf fiber from Taiwan. Through design improvements in the extraction machinery at Pinacell, the fiber yield and quality have been enhanced. Tuchen and Yarn Sky Textile have improved the circular knitting machine process to resolve weaving issues, producing high-quality pineapple yarn. The yarn blend includes natural fibers such as cotton, wood pulp fiber, pineapple leaf fiber, and linen, all of which are biodegradable. Although the design cannot be 100% pure material, it incorporates the most eco-friendly natural fibers to meet clothing needs. The labels are made from recycled PET (rPET) polyester fibers, and packaging materials are biodegradable.
- By-product Resource Utilization: The residue from pineapple leaf fiber extraction is used to enhance composting efficiency, returning it to agriculture as fertilizer. Additionally, the residue is applied in eco-friendly PU leather as an alternative to traditional leather. It can also be used as a filler in industrial-grade electrical insulating materials across industries. Moreover, daily wear clothing is designed with multiple styling options and drawstring functionality, allowing consumers to have more versatile clothing choices and reducing the need to purchase multiple garments for different looks.
Benefits
- Increased Pineapple Value: By recycling agricultural waste, the economic status of pineapple farmers is improved.
- Increased Rural Employment Opportunities: Waste recycling occurs after the harvest season, allowing labor to remain in rural areas, reducing the seasonal income gap for farmers, and encouraging young farmers to return and contribute to their hometowns.
- Development of Taiwanese Natural Fibers: Taiwan's textile industry primarily relies on petrochemical byproducts for synthetic fibers and imports most natural fibers. Utilizing local pineapple leaf fiber can replace imported man-made fibers or natural fibers.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Pineapple leaves, previously considered agricultural waste, were often burned, leading to air pollution and increased carbon emissions. Recycling and repurposing these leaves eliminates the need for burning. Compared to other textile crops like cotton and flax, pineapple leaf fiber, being a byproduct, does not contribute additional carbon emissions and reduces water resource wastage by 97% compared to cotton.