Piñatex

Piñatex is an innovative non-woven textile made from waste pineapple leaves, a waste product of the major pineapple farming industry in the Philippines. Inspired by how some traditional FIlipino garments were created using pineapple fibres, Piñatex exemplifies how ancestral customs can be reimagined in contemporary ways to comport to modern demands.

1) Strong lightweight and flexible

2) Made from sustainably source natural fibre, containing no harmful chemicals or animal products

1) Following pineapple harvest, suitable waste plant leaves are collected and bundled. Long leaf fibres are extracted from the leaves using semi automatic machines.

2) The fibres are then washed and dried naturally by the sun or in drying ovens during the rainy season. Once dried, the fibres undergo a purification process which results in a fluff-like material known as PALF.

3) PALF is mixed with a corn based polylactic acid and is mechanically processed to create Pinafelt, a non-woven mesh that forms the base of Piñatex. The Pinafelt is shipped from the Philippines to Spain or Italy for specialised finishing. 16 pineapple plants produce approximately 480 pineapple leaves, which can yield up to one square meter of Piñatex.