CHARACTERIZATION AND PROCESSING OF

BALETE VINE (BV) FIBERS FOR FABRICATION OF

SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY FABRIC PAPER
CHRISTY FAITH AMONSOT
LOVELY GRACE EGO-OGAN
JED KINEL BAJAO
BRENT JOASH LENDIO
JHONSEN MANAIT
Academic- Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics

(STEM)

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Ave Maria College

Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE ……………………………………………………………....... i

ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………. ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………………………………………….. iii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ………………………………………….. 1

1.1. Background of the Study …………….……………………… 6

1.2. Statement of the Problem …….………………………………..

10

1.3. Objectives of the Study…………………………………………

10

1.4. Hypothesis of the Study………………………………………. 11

1.5. Significance of the Study……………………………………… 12

1.6. Scope and Delimitations of the Study …………………………

13

1.7. Definition of Key Terms ………………………………………. 14

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND

STUDIES ………………………………………………………………….

2.1. Review of Related Literature ………………………………………..

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Paper production facilities are well recognized in society, and the ingredients

used to manufacture an eco-friendly fabric material are made from natural sources

such as trees. According to the data from the Global Forest Resource Assessment,

approximately 80,000 to 160,000 trees are cut down each day around the world,

with a significant portion being used in the paper industry. Also the World

Wildlife Fund stated that the total wood supply used for paper production, wood

pulp makes about 80% of the total wood used in the paper industry. The

remainder is used in furniture, buildings, and other uses. With that context, there

is a need to find other raw natural materials for paper production. Utilizing

another part of a tree can be an alternative to avoid cutting the whole tree which

can reduce the rare of deforestation.

On that account, balete vine (Ficus elastica) is the ideal source for paper

production, it’s a fast-growing, tropical, deciduous tree that is commonly found in

the Philippines. Its leaves, branches, and roots have a wide range of applications,

including traditional medicine, construction materials, and as a food source.

Therefore, the researchers came up with an idea to utilize the balete vine as a

material, this is a byproduct of the tree's processing, and have been shown to have

potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional fabrics.

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 Several investigations on the utilization of Balete vine (BV) as a natural

fabric for textile manufacture have been done. According to one study published

in the Journal of the Science and Development Centre in 2012, the fibers are

resistant to bacterial development and have anti-microbial qualities, making them

a potential alternative to synthetic fibers used in textiles.

Due to the lack of synthetic ingredients and the use of natural fibers as the

major component, the researchers may manufacture fabric papers that are not only

sustainable but also eco-friendly by employing BV fibers as the main raw

material. Furthermore, fabric papers created with BV fibers may provide great

quality, durability, and comfort, making them a desirable alternative to traditional

materials like textiles and papers.

Another Study, published in the International Journal of Textile Science and

Technology in 2018, examined the performance of Balete vine fibers in terms of

their mechanical and thermal properties. The study found that the fiber has a high

Young’s Modulus (a measure of stiffness) and has good heat and moisture

retention properties, making it suitable for use in the textile industry.

The characterization of the BVFs involved analyzing their physical and

chemical properties, such as their size, shape, surface structure, and mechanical

properties through. The study also explored the possibility of using the balete vine

(BV) fiber for the fabrication of fabric paper. The resulting fabric paper was

characterized in terms of its physical and mechanical properties.

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 With that, the study highlighted the advantages of the BV fibers, such as their

high strength-to-weight ratio, low moisture retention, and exceptional absorption

capacity. The study provides insights into the potential of BV fibers as an eco-

friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional fabrics, and their use in the

fabrication of fabric papers. It is considered an eco-friendly and sustainable

alternative to traditional paper due to its use of natural fibers and biodegradable

materials, and has been used in a variety of applications, such as packaging,

poster designs and vintage decorations.

Furthermore, it is a rapidly developing field with enormous potential to

contribute to the development of environmentally friendly materials and products

in the textile industry. BV fibers may be used for a variety of creative and

ornamental purposes. They may be used in art projects, sculptures, wall hangings,

and other creative pursuits to provide a natural and one-of-a-kind texture to the

finished goods.

This study is all about the potential of balete vines (BV) as a fabric raw

material. It aims to contribute positive impact not only on the environment, but

also in terms of: Economic, paper made from organic resources may be less costly

than paper made from typical wood-based fibers. This means that paper

manufacturers may create paper at a reduced cost, which could translate to lower

consumer pricing. Sustainable sourcing, organic materials can be grown in a

sustainable way, for as by harvesting only the vines and not the trees. Therefore,

it's a sustainable source replacement to wood-based papers. Creativity for future

research, paper made from organic resources can inspire innovation in the paper

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sector, according to research findings. This might lead to a new, better paper

products and technologies that are more ecologically friendly, sustainable, and

cost-effective.

The implementation of Balete Vine fibers in the creation of fabric materials

removes the need to chop down Balete trees. This is a significant benefit since

Balete trees are an important species in many ecosystems and their removal can

have detrimental environmental repercussions. It minimizes the quantity of waste

created by the textile industry by collecting fibers from fallen tree branches and

vines, which is a frequent waste source.

Furthermore, the usage of Balete Vine fibers may assist support Balete tree

conservation initiatives, which are important for the ecosystem and can offer

habitat for many animal species. In general, using Balete Vine fibers in fabric

material manufacturing is a sustainable and ecologically beneficial technique that

may help lessen the environmental effect of the manufacturing of fabric material.

In summary, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of using BV fibers for

the production of fabric papers and to contribute to the development of

sustainable and eco-friendly materials for the textile industry.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

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 This study was launched to obtain the characterization and processing of BV

fibers for the fabrication of sustainable and eco-friendly fabric paper. Exclusively,

it seeks to obtain a response to the following research questions:

1. What are the certain processes that will be involved in making an effective

eco-friendly fabric paper using balete vine (BV) fibers?

2. Does the balete vine (BV) fiber make suitable ingredient or material for

making an eco-friendly paper?

3. What is the quality of fabric material produced out of the balete vine fibers

in terms of:

a. Tearing Strength

b. Resistance, and

c. Thickness

4. What are the implications of producing fabric material out of the balete

vine (BV) to the environment?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of the research was to look into the possibilities of

Balete vine fibers (BVF) as a natural, biodegradable, and sustainable resource for

the production of fabric paper. The study's specific objectives were to:

1. To explore the processing and fabrication of BVF fibers into fabric papers

using different techniques and conditions.

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 2. To determine the balete vine (BV) fiber if it’s a suitable ingredient or

material for making an eco-friendly paper

3. To determine the quality of fabric paper produced out of the balete vine

fibers in terms of: Tearing Strength, resistance, and thickness.

4. To evaluate the implications of producing fabric paper out of the balete

vine (BV) to the environment.

1.4 Hypothesis of the Study

In light of the potential of our resources or the ingredients we used in making

eco-friendly fabric paper, such as balete vine (BV) fiber. The researchers, came up

with the following hypotheses:

 The balete vine (BV) fiber is a suitable ingredient or material for making

an eco-friendly paper.

 The quality of fabric material produced out of the balete vine fibers in

terms of: Tearing Strength, resistance, and thickness is applicable.

 The implications of producing fabric material out of the balete vine (BV)

fiber to the environment has a massive impact.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study focuses on the characterization and processing of balete vine (BV)
fibers for fabrication of sustainable and eco-friendly fabric paper. Hence this will
be helpful to the following:

Paper Manufacturers:

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 This study can help fabric paper manufacturers by presenting them to a

new, low-cost, and ecological raw material substitute. Manufacturers can reduce

production costs by using balete vine fiber as raw materials for fabric production.

Environment:

This research will benefit the environment by lowering reliance on

traditional raw materials like as wood, which are becoming increasingly scarce

and expensive. It will also help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the

manufacturing of fabric paper from wild trees and decrease deforestation. It also

provides a sustainable and environmentally beneficial alternative to traditional

cloth paper production. This research contributes to the protection of natural

resources by reducing the environmental impact of making various types of paper

that require natural resources.

Community:

This study will benefit to the community since the main component is

balete vine (BV) fiber, which is inexpensive and will help them save a lot of

money.

Students and Teachers:

This study will also make them look more creative in their projects,

activities, and lesson plans.

Future researchers:

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 This study can serve as a basis for future research into the processing and

preparation of these materials for fabric paper manufacture, as well as process

optimization to improve efficiency and fabric quality. The findings can also be

used by future researchers to develop new approaches for collecting, analyzing,

and utilizing wild trees, which can assist the improvement in the environmental

effect of fabric paper production.

1.6 Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study focuses on the Balete Vines (BV) fibers as a source of raw material

for environmentally friendly products such as paper. This study also investigated

the feasibility of producing paper using balete vine (BV) fibers and it may create

any retro design using this product, too. This study also determines the

implication of using this type of fabric paper to the environment. It illustrates the

method of manufacturing paper with balete vines, as well as whether these plants

are effective components for making paper. This study was conducted from

September 2023 to May 2024. This study was conducted in Amonsot’s residence

in Fatima, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte. Researchers are not restricted to using

only online literature.

1.7 Definition of Key Terms

The key terms related to characterization and processing of Balete vine (BV)

fibers for the fabrication of sustainable and eco-friendly fabric paper are defined

as follows:

Balete vine fibers (BVF)

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 BVFs are natural fibers obtained from the vines of Balete (Ficus elastica),

a common tree found in the Philippines. This is the fiber that the researchers

utilized as the primary study material (J.K Francis 2004).

Tearing Strength

Tear strength is an indicator of how resistant a material is to ripping. Paper

bags must be able to survive tearing during transportation and handling, therefore

this is a crucial quality (L. Hunter, J. Fan 2015).

Durability

It is the ability of a material to exist for a long time without significant

deterioration and, especially for fabrics, to resist wear through continual use and

care. It refers to how long a piece of paper will last Bergh, J.C., & Hofkes, M.W.

(2012).

Young’s Modulus

It has been a known fact in classical mechanics of materials that Young’s

modulus is an indicator of material stiffness and materials with a higher Young’s

modulus are stiffer. This used to measure the resistance of a material (C. W. Lim).

Thickness

Is the distance between the two surfaces of a sheet of paper, usually

measured in micrometers (µm) or mils (thousandths of an inch). This used to

improve the quality of the paper and make it last longer (LinkedIn community

2023).

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Textile fiber

Is a type of fiber used in the textile industry to make textiles and apparel.

Balete vine (BV) fibers, for example, are fibers that may be utilized as a raw

material in textile manufacture (Max M Houck 2009).

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