PAGES DOST-PTRI Researchers Develop Greener Bamboo Textiles

Bamboo textiles have become increasingly popular as

part of a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to tex-
tile materials and manufacturing. It is along this line
that the DOST, through its Philippine Textile Research
Institute (DOST-PTRI), develops sustainable technolo-
gies to create greener Bamboo textile materials.
The DOST-PTRI Bamboo fiber extraction technology,
already applied for intellectual property protection with
the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
(IPOPhil), was first developed in 2015. It includes the
mechanical, chemical, and biological processes to lib-
erate the fibers from the bamboo culm. The extracted Kawayan Tinik (Bambusa blumeana) culms
bamboo textile fiber is treated to obtain highly cellulo-
sic textile fibers while preserving the inherent proper-
ties of bamboo such as antimicrobial and UV-blocking
properties. The technology, applied to natural extrac-
tion of different Bamboo species in the Philippines such
as Kawayan Tinik (Bambusa blumeana), Bolo
(Gigantochloa levis), Yellow Bamboo (Bambusa vul-
garis), and Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), pro-
duces strong and fine Bamboo fibers. Considerably mild
and eco-friendly technology coupled with the simplic-
EXECUTIVE

ity of the extraction and treatment technique makes it

highly suitable for textile fiber processing in remote
Bamboo-rich local areas leading to economic gains for Pretreated Bamboo Textile Fiber
the Bamboo textile industry.
Philippine Tropical Fabrics for Uniforms of Public
A more popular commercial process of converting bam- Officials and Employees and for other Purpose,
boo into textile material is through cellulose regenera- has included in the proposed revised Implement-
tion. In this process, bamboo culms are broken down ing Rules and Regulation (IRR), the inclusion of
into chips, dissolved, and extruded through spinnerets other natural textile fibers which include bamboo,
to produce fine staples or filaments. In this synthetic to help widen the scope of textile fiber sources
technique, new fiber properties are introduced while and promote employment generation in the coun-
the natural integrity of the Bamboo textile fibers is not tryside.
conserved. Also, the toxic and hazardous substances
This market represents 635,000 kg of treated
involved in the production of regenerated Bamboo vis-
bamboo fiber input material for the production of
cose fibers implicate the environmental downside of
spun yarns that will meet just 25% of the require-
the process.
ments for government uniforms. This represents
To promote the increased utilization of natural textile a huge potential and market opportunity for bam-
fiber processing from Bamboo, the DOST-PTRI has boo producers in the country.
moved towards sustainable and improved fiber extrac-
The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI)
tion techniques for the Bamboo species currently un-
is the premier textile research and development
der study: Laak (Bambusa philippinensis), Anos
arm of the Department of Science and Technol-
(Schizostachyum lima (Blanco) merr.), and Puser
ogy (DOST), Philippines. PTRI's R&D achieve-
(Cyrtocholoa puser s. dransf.). The greener and milder
ments through the years have contributed much
conditions in the transformation of Bamboo culms into
to the textile and other allied industries it is man-
natural textile materials promote an ecological and
dated to assist.
community-centered approach. This puts the initiative
squarely on Bamboo farmers, farm owners, and textile For more information:
fiber producers and ensures that the socio-economic
The Philippine Textile
and environmental benefits of the bamboo textile fiber
Research Institute (PTRI)
technology redound to the direct benefit of the many
bamboo-rich rural communities. rdd@ptri.dost.gov.ph or
This year, the Technical Working Group (TWG) of Re- ptri.tips@ptri.dost.gov.ph
public Act 9242 or the Act Prescribing the Use of the

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