In Taiwan, bananas are getting a second life — not as food, but as fashion. Entrepreneur Nelson Yang has launched a project that transforms banana plant waste into sustainable textiles, hoping to supply future global sneaker and apparel brands.
Taiwan today is best known as the world’s semiconductor hub, but decades ago it was called the “banana kingdom”, exporting huge amounts of the fruit. Yang’s company, Farm to Material, is reviving that history in a new way.
How It Works
After the bananas are harvested, the plant’s middle section called the pseudostem is usually left behind in the fields. Yang’s team collects this agricultural waste, crushes and dries it, and then processes it into banana fibre.
This fibre can be spun into yarn, blended with cotton for socks, or even made into vegan leather for shoes and accessories.
Why Bananas?
“Banana fibre performs better than cotton in terms of water use, absorbency, and supply stability,” said Charlotte Chiang of the Taiwan Textile Federation. “It could become a new highlight in the global textile industry.”
Banana-based fabric uses agricultural leftovers, making it more sustainable than traditional textiles that demand high water and land use.
Still Early Days
The business is still in its early stage and has yet to secure big apparel orders. But Yang believes global brands looking for eco-friendly solutions will soon take notice.
“Our concept is simple,” Yang explained. “Food and materials should come from the same land, without waste.”