The first pineapple leaf-based eco-friendly fibre, yarn, and fabric is launched in the market after three years. – Photo Courtesy of Bảo Lân Textile

Bảo Lân Textile and Ecofa Vietnam officially announced on Thursday the successful launch of Ananas, a pineapple leaf-based eco-friendly fibre, yarn, and fabric after three years of research and trials.

This innovative fiber is a breakthrough resulting from a three-year strategic partnership between the two companies, aiming to transform underutilised pineapple resources into sustainable textile materials.

Protected by the Intellectual Property Office of Việt Nam, Ananas represents the country's first successful commercial production of a plant-based, eco-friendly textile material.

This eco-conscious product marks the first Vietnamese-made pineapple fibre, yarn, and fabric available for mass supply to manufacturers in various industries such as fashion brands and home furnishings.

Moreover, Bảo Lân Textile and Ecofa Vietnam are the first Vietnamese establishment to offer a fully transparent supply chain within the eco-friendly textile industry, documenting every step from pineapple leaf harvesting to the distribution of finished textiles.

"In the context of both domestic and global textile industries still facing shortages of materials for sustainable fashion, the successful research and mass production of high-quality pineapple fibre for clothing by Bảo Lân Textile and Ecofa Vietnam is a major boost for the industry. It positively impacts demand and development not just within Vietnam, but beyond," said Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Mai, vice secretary general of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).

"The achievement from Ananas also represents a significant milestone in linking Việt Nam’s pineapple farming sector with the global movement of sustainable fashion," she said.

Through their collaboration, Ecofa supplies cottonised pineapple fibres for spinning, which Bảo Lân Textile utilises to create Ananas yarns and fabrics for various sectors including textile, apparel, fashion, and interior design.

Certified by the HCM City Textile Research Institute (VTRSI-TTC) and the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Institute in Japan, Ananas products offer exceptional features such as durability, natural odor control, antibacterial properties, and UV protection up to 50+ UPF.

In partnership with farmers and cooperatives in provinces such as Điện Biên, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, and Tiền Giang for pineapple leaf harvesting, Ecofa has commenced production of cottonised pineapple fibre using a machine invented by engineer and founder Đậu Văn Nam.

Production trials were initiated in mid-2021, with Ecofa now able to supply 18 tonnes of cottonised pineapple fibre on a monthly basis from over one million tonnes of harvested pineapple leaves.

The company forecasts an increase in production to 50 tonnes per month by the end of 2025.

Public response to the new Ananas product has been positive, with customers from the textile sectors in Việt Nam and international markets like the US and Hong Kong showing interest.

The companies stated that increasing the scale of production will drive more positive outcomes, such as creating livelihoods and boosting income for farmers, controlling and minimising the negative environmental impacts of agricultural waste in Việt Nam, improving soil health, protecting the soil's microbial ecosystem; and, notably, contributing to the development of a local circular economic network. – VNS