DOST’s Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub Launch Marks Milestone for Bamboo Textiles in Abra

Details: Published: 06 February 2024; Hits: 2873

DOST’s Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub Launch Marks Milestone for Bamboo Textiles in Abra

By: Reina Rose B. Realino
Technology Transfer, Information, and Promotion Staff

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) in Abra, a significant milestone in the Bamboo Textiles PH initiative. Bamboo Textiles PH is a DOST-PTRI initiative aimed at revolutionizing the bamboo industry by developing sustainable fiber extraction processes, establishing innovation hubs, and exploring the use of bamboo fibers in various textile applications. The BTFIH project, funded by the DOST–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), aims to revolutionize the economic and environmental value chain of bamboo through sustainable fiber extraction and processing.1

The installation of Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs (BTFIH) represents a pivotal accomplishment and a key objective of the Bamboo Textiles PH initiative. These hubs are designed to engage local communities in fiber processing, allowing members to actively participate in fiber extraction in their respective regions. The goal is to empower communities with knowledge about equipment operations in fiber processing, facilitating the efficient conversion of raw materials into fibers for sustainable livelihoods and continuous innovation in textile production.1

Photos 1-4. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Demonstration of the Machines during the Grand Launching of Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub in Abra

In a significant stride towards achieving this goal, the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub in Abra has been successfully installed through a strategic partnership with the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST). This collaborative effort follows the formal proceedings of a signed memorandum of agreement.

The official launch of the BTFIH – Abra is scheduled for the 26th of January 2024, at the ASIST Gymnasium in Lagangilang, Abra. The inauguration will be marked by a two-day training program on Bamboo Textile Fiber Extraction, involving project staff and local farmers from the Abra province.

The DOST-PTRI, under the DOST–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD)-funded program 'Bamboo Textile Fiber R&D and Commercialization Program,' is committed to enhancing the economic and environmental value chain of bamboo. This involves the profiling of various bamboo species in the Philippines, the development of sustainable fiber extraction and treatment processes, the establishment of Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs, and the exploration of their applications in wearables and other textile products.

Bamboo Project No. 4, titled "Community-based Verification of Fiber Extraction Technology Using Local Bamboo Species as a Textile Material", is a continuation of DOST-PTRI’s dedication to utilizing innovative technologies for sustainable natural fibers in textile production. This project focuses on verifying fiber processing and extraction at the community level, emphasizing collaboration between institutions, local farmers, and weavers for efficient technology transfer. The project's geographic focus is on the Northern part of Luzon, specifically Abra and Pangasinan.

The launch of the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub in Abra marks a significant step towards realizing the broader goals of sustainable livelihoods, environmental stewardship, and innovation in the textile industry.