The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is celebrating the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 24-28, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City and is themed Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges. Exhibits, fora and other events revolve around the DOST 8 Outcomes and showcases S&T interventions and innovations aimed at providing a better life for every Juan thru S&T. Highlights of the event are activities towards One ASEAN which is happening in 2015.
The Philippine Textile Research Institute’s (PTRI) exhibit for this year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) will fall under DOST Outcome 3 on Industry Competitiveness with the theme “Galing ni Juan para sa Bayan, para sa ASEAN”.
The establishment of an innovation center shall serve to further add value to the textile supply chain thru the production of more innovative materials and technologies such as fancy and textured yarns using the Philippine natural fibers from abaca, banana, piña, maguey, saluyot, and water hyacinth; creation of bio-functional finishing also for the Philippine natural fibers; and development of nonwoven textile reinforced composites, among others.
The second highlight of PTRI’s exhibit is the natural dyes. When it comes to natural dyes, there is no doubt that PTRI has established itself as an authority. With the globally growing demand for green technologies and products, the Institute revives and gears-up natural dyeing in the country into an established S&T program for livelihood generation in the countryside. Currently, PTRI has identified and established technologies on 100 natural plant dye sources, 26 natural dye powders, 8 natural dyes for silkscreen printing, 16 top-dyeing and 4 compound-dyeing. The technologies include the effective extraction methods and textile dyeing applications. These natural dyes, that can impart a myriad of colors unto textiles, are proven to have superior affinity to natural fibers compared to synthetic dyes. The powdered dyes also have good shelf life that is at par with commercial synthetic dyes.
NATURAL DYES: DITO MABUBUHAY KA! Techno Forum
The Institute will also be hosting a Forum/Demo “Natural Dyes: Dito Mabubuhay Ka!” on July 27, Sunday from 1 to 3PM at SMX Hall 2. Everyone is highly encouraged to participate in this activity. It will be a great opportunity to learn the process of natural dyeing and tie-dyeing designs. Exciting and fun prizes await the participants. This is open to the public.
