Qwstion presents banana fibre denim
28/06/2024
Made from 100% abacá, a native banana species grown as a commercial crop in the Philippines, the fabric is made by turning fibres into paper, which is spun into yarn and then woven in Taiwan for non-denim applications, such as bags and footwear. A caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) solution is applied during yarn production, but no “toxic” chemicals are involved.
Bananatex fabrics have been certified as compostable, both in marine water and via industrial composting, by testing institute ISEGA.
Working with an Italian denim mill, the 100% banana fibre-derived denim behaves like any cellulosic and can be finished like cotton, Mattia Rottoli, head of textile development at Qwstion, told Inside Denim.
As well as an indigo fabric, the company has worked with Nature Coatings for a black denim, using a 100% bio-based black pigment from wood waste.
The banana fibre material has also been used for footwear uppers, with brands including Balenciaga selecting it for limited-edition shoe ranges.
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