Scientist find way to turn banana stems into fabrics and hair extensions

[Judi Lynn]

By Knowridge -May 4, 2025

Researchers in Uganda are finding creative ways to turn waste from banana plants into useful products like textiles, hair extensions, and even sanitary pads.

This innovation could help the country benefit from the growing global interest in eco-friendly materials.

At the heart of this effort is the Banatex-EA project, based at Busitema University in eastern Uganda.

The team, led by textile engineering lecturer Edwin Kamalha, has figured out how to turn banana stems—usually discarded after harvest—into soft, spinnable fiber that can be used to make cloth and other items.

Traditionally, banana stems are left in the field to rot and act as fertilizer. Now, they could become a new source of income for farmers.

Kamalha says the idea is to reduce waste and create value from something that would otherwise be thrown away.

More:
https://knowridge.com/2025/05/scientist-find-way-to-turn-banana-stems-into-fabrics-and-hair-extensions/

[JT45242]

1. Won't this deplete the soil long term?

Monocropping is bad for the soil. Not allowing the soil to replenish itself is generally bad +think dust bowl.

This seems like short term profits causing long term problems.

Don't know enough Ugandan climatology or farming, but this seems like bad idea in the long term.