FABRIC: PINATEX®
Regions: Philippines I Spain
Fabric Name:
Piñatex®
Origin:
Philippines
Who made our fabric:
Ananas Anam, founded by Dr. Carmen Hijosa, Philippines and the UK
Natural history and ecology:
Piñatex® is made of fiber from the discarded leaves of the pineapple plant. The long fibers in pineapple leaves are extracted through a process called decortication, which is done at the Philippines plantation by the farming community. Once the leaves have been stripped of fiber, the leftover biomass can be used as a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer or a bio-fuel. The fibers are de-gummed and undergo an industrial process to become a non-woven mesh, which forms the base of Piñatex. The rolls of non-woven mesh are then transported to Spain for specialized finishing. The finished textile is distributed directly to designers, who use it as a sustainable alternative to leather in footwear and handbags, clothing, interior furnishing and automotive upholstery.
What makes this so special:
Piñatex® from Ananas Anam, is made from discarded pineapple Ananas sp. leaves (an agricultural waste product along with a small amount (less than 5%) of polylactic acid. The long fibers from the pineapple leaves are extracted through a process called decortication in the Philippines by the farming community and then felted to create a non-woven substrate. No extra land, water or pesticides are required to produce this raw material. Through waste valorisation, Pinatex reduces the amount of pineapple leaves being burnt which also reduces CO2 emissions.
Ananas Anam has developed the first automated decorticating machine which allows farmers to harvest more quantities of their waste leaves.
“I think we happen to really hit a very polluting industry. And by disrupting it and bringing a new material in it, we are really just embracing the reality of what needs to happen in the world.”
— Carmen Hijosa / Piñatex
Dr. Carmen Hijosa
Dr. Carmen Hijosa, founder of Ananas Anam, a company that produces Piñatex - a new and natural textile made from pineapple leaf fibers. Dr. Hijosa's journey with Piñatex began when she was working in the fashion accessories industry and consulting in the Philippines. After becoming aware of pineapple leaf fibers, a by-product of the pineapple harvest, she began working towards developing a plant-based textile. Her tireless efforts have led to the establishment of a thriving industry that prioritizes social, environmental, and economic responsibility. In her interview with ATW80Fabrics she shared that the biggest challenge of introducing a new eco-friendly product to the market is not just convincing brands, but also changing consumer behavior and preferences. Collaborating with larger companies like Nike is an opportunity to scale up the production of sustainable and plant-based materials, but it also requires a commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the entire supply chain. By prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices, we can inspire consumers to make conscious choices that benefit both the planet and the communities involved in the production process. Her groundbreaking work with Piñatex has earned recognition, including being selected as a finalist in the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards competition and the European Innovation Award. Dr. Hijosa is a visionary artist and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to creating a more sustainable future by connecting people, planet, and economics.