The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) Team, conducted a technical visit to the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) at the Hong Kong Science Park, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, on September 2, 2024. 

NAMI, Hong Kong’s leading materials research institute, has a strong track record of industry-focused innovations in construction, electronics, energy, environment, and healthcare. They support market-driven R&D and play a key role in advancing new technologies and business development in Hong Kong. 

During a dialogue with NAMI, the DOST-PTRI Team presented the Institute's R&D initiatives, which are anchored on the needs of Filipino industry and communities. These initiatives focus on Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTFs) such as pineapple, abaca, banana, bamboo, and silk, with an emphasis on sustainable upcycling and valorization of these textile materials. 

The DOST-PTRI Team also showcased textile innovations for footwear, natural dyes, textile recycling, and covert textile technologies, aimed at deployment to industry and community partners. Additionally, they discussed the establishment of Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs, Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs, Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Centers, NatDyes Hubs, and Silk Research and Innovation Hubs to ensure value chain continuity. 

NAMI, represented by Dr. Jifan Li, Director of Research and Development (Energy), and Ms. Rebecca Ho, Senior Business Development Manager, presented textile-based developments such as sustainable textiles through nanocellulose, wearable textile aerogels, smart bandages with rate-responsive stimuli response, and gravity-free sports brassieres. They also outlined their current modes of collaboration with industry partners, including Collaborative Applied Research with individual companies, platform projects with multiple partners, and contract research. 

DOST-PTRI and NAMI agreed to further explore collaborations on advanced textile materials and industry-driven research and development. The DOST-PTRI Team was also given a tour of NAMI’s laboratories by Dr. Li, where they observed laboratory-scale equipment used for testing and developing material innovations, including wet and melt spinning, textile touch response testers, acoustic absorption equipment, and a sputter coating apparatus.