Banana plants produce strong cellulose fibers in their pseudostems, which are usually wasted or burned after harvest. A 2023 study in the Journal of Natural Fibers estimates that a single hectare of banana farmland generates roughly 220 tons of this waste. Researchers and textile innovators propose turning that waste into fabric using existing decorticating and water retting processes, which are already used for other natural fibers. The resulting banana fabric may outperform cotton: a 2022 study in Industrial Crops and Products found it is 22% more resistant to tearing and offers superior airflow and tensile strength. Since the fashion industry accounts for up to 8% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water, shifting to banana fiber could reduce both water use and waste. The technology is ready, but widespread adoption depends on moving away from cotton dominance.
