BALANCING FASHION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BY TRANSFORMING PINEAPPLE WASTE LEAVES INTO VALUABLE ASSETS UKL
2024/08/05
A New Option for Sustainable Low-Carbon Textiles: Pineapple Leaves Fiber (PALF)
UKL is a solution provider in the upstream supply chain of knitted sweaters and casual knitwear that has
dedicated efforts to align with global sustainability trends and facilitate the sustainable transformation of
Taiwan's textile industry. It has been actively engaging in the research and development of various sustainable
materials, including fibers, yarns, and fabrics. As "developing sustainable materials" is one of UKL's three major business service models, it recognized that pineapple, second only to bananas in Taiwan's agricultural products. However, historically, most of these leaves were incinerated, resulting in significant carbon emissions and air pollution. Thus, UKL decided to transform local agricultural waste and produce biodegradable "pineapple leaf fibers."
Pineapple leaves offer advantages, such as easy availability, cultivation, short growth cycles, and convenient transportation. By employing advanced fiber extraction technology and exclusive yarn production techniques, UKL can recycle organic waste pineapple leaves into yarn materials. This initiative aims to develop natural textile fibers representing Taiwan, increase farmers' economic income, boost rural employment, and effectively reduce carbon emissions and water wastage through local research and manufacturing, thus achieving an ideal balance between aesthetics and environmental protection in fashion design.
Based on UKL's estimation from the recycling of 18 metric tons of waste pineapple leaves, it has indeed achieved
significant results in waste and carbon reduction. Additionally, garments made from pineapple leaf fibers, suitable for blending with natural or synthetic fibers, exhibit characteristics similar to linen fabric. This enhances the level of consumer willingness to purchase and fosters a green consumer cycle.
UKL applied for a Republic of China new patent for a "High Linen-Feel Low-Carbon Composite Fabric" (Case No.: 112207973), which has been approved by the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office. Its pineapple leaf fiber products have also received recognition.