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Everybody is going bananas over these bags made from… banana plants

Source: Qwstion.com

Bananatex® is the world’s first technical fabric made purely from Banana plants which are organically cultivated in the Philippine highlands.

Bananatex® is the world’s first technical fabric made from banana fibre

Swiss bag brand QWSTION, a yarn specialist from Taiwan, and a Taiwanese weaving partner spent four years developing a new material which is being revealed at the 2019 Milan Design Week. The strong, flexible material, called Bananatex®, could offer a new universal option in the search for sustainable materials. 

QWSTION Bananatex® Collection – Roll Pack The Roll Pack is based on the concept of a versatile container that can adapt to its content due to a flexible roll top closure. A large, expandable main body contains multiple inner compartments, including a Merino felt-lined sleeve which fits up to 15“ laptop. A sturdy metal zipper with a unique cotton tape instead of the usual plastic one allows direct access to the main compartment via side entry, and the layout of small interior pockets is arranged to give frequently-used items a practical spot. Adjustable backpack straps and a modular handle provide versatile carrying options. Source: YouTube/Qwstion

GONE BANANAS

In 2015 designers at Swiss bag brand QWSTION first came across a plant of the Banana tree family known locally as ”Banana Hemp” or “Abacá”, and its potential as the next step in their sustainability mission was immediately apparent. 

The inherent properties of the plant align with the brand’s commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability. 

Cultivated within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, Abacá is sturdy and self-sufficient, requiring no pesticides or extra water. 

These qualities have allowed it to contribute to reforestation in areas of the Philippines once eroded by palm plantations, whilst enhancing the economic prosperity of its farmers.

What’s more, given the brand’s ultimate aim of offering a viable alternative to the synthetic fabrics that currently dominate the bag industry, they developed Bananatex® as an open source project, and want to encourage other brands to use it.

Source: QWSTION

Cultivated within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, Abacá is sturdy and self-sufficient, requiring no pesticides or extra water. The plant has great economic importance, being harvested for its fibre, also called Manila hemp, extracted from the leaf-stems. The fruits of this variety are inedible.
Acabá or Banana hemp is an important crop due to the high quality fibre it yields Cultivated within a natural ecosystem of sustainable mixed agriculture and forestry, Abacá is sturdy and self-sufficient, requiring no pesticides or extra water. The plant has great economic importance, being harvested for its fibre, also called Manila hemp, extracted from the leaf-stems. The fruits of this variety are inedible. Source: Qwstion
The natural characteristics of the raw material makes the final fabric durable, pliable and waterproof. Plus, it is biodegradable at the end of the life cycle, significantly reducing post-consumer waste rampant in the clothing and accessories industries in particular.
The inherent properties of the plant lend themselves to environmental, economic and social sustainability The natural characteristics of the raw material makes the final fabric durable, pliable and waterproof. Plus, it is biodegradable at the end of the life cycle, significantly reducing post-consumer waste rampant in the clothing and accessories industries in particular. Source: Qwstion

CHECK OUT THE BANANATEX® COLLECTION

The Bananatex® Collection introduces two brand new styles to QWSTION’s range: the Roll Pack and the Hip PouchBoth designs are based upon the characteristics of the material, with patterns designed to leave zero waste after cutting the individual parts. At the end of the bags’ lifecycles, their fabric is 100 % biodegradable, and their buckles and zippers can be recycled. 

Versatility is the essence of the new models: the Roll Pack, a medium-sized bag with adjustable volume for everyday wear, and the Hip Pouch, a small bag for holding essentials with hip and shoulder carry options.

Source: Qwstion

REFINEMENT OF THE RAW Over the past four years, Qwstion developed Bananatex®, a sleek, waterproof fabric made from 100% natural Banana fibres. At once super strong and durable, yet light and flexible, the natural beeswax coating gives it a smooth, water-resistant finish and a supple hand feel. Source: YouTube/QWSTION
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