FABRIC: BANANATEX®
Region: Switzerland, Philippines, and Taiwan
Fabric Name:
Bananatex
Origin:
Abaca banana (Musa textilis)
Who made our fabric:
Bananatex®
What makes this so special:
Bananatex® is the world’s first durable, technical fabric made purely from the naturally grown Abacá banana plants. Cultivated in the Philippine highlands within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, the plant is self-sufficient, requires no pesticides, fertilizer or extra water. These qualities have allowed it to contribute to reforestation in areas once eroded due to monocultural palm plantations, whilst enhancing biodiversity and the economic prosperity of its farmers.
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 dying alternative, and certified to the highest standard (Oeko-Tex® Standard 100). The Natural White colourway reflects the actual color of the fibers and is accordingly not dyed.)
Fabric made purely from naturally grown Abacá banana plants.
“Every fabric we make is 100 percent banana fiber and therefore plastic-free, biodegradable, and circular.”
— Hannes Schoenegger/Bananatex
Hannes Schoenegger
Meet Hannes Schoenegger, Co-founder and CEO of Swiss bag brand QWSTION and its «spin-off» company Bananatex. Bananatex is the world’s first durable, technical fabric made purely from naturally grown Abacá banana plants. Cultivated in the Philippine highlands within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, the plant is self-sufficient and requires no pesticides, fertilizer, or extra water. These qualities have allowed it to contribute to reforestation in areas once eroded due to monocultural palm plantations while enhancing biodiversity and the economic prosperity of its farmers. Since its launch in October 2018 Bananatex has won a variety of international sustainability and design awards such as the Green Product Award 2019, the Design Prize Switzerland Award 2019/20 as well as the German Sustainability Award Design 2021. Another major step was taken in December 2021 when the Bananatex fabric was Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold, the most advanced standard globally for products that are safe, circular, and responsibly made.