Banana fibre venture yet to take off

The plan of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (TNHDCL) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tiruchi, to support ventures for large-scale extraction of banana fibre is yet to take off in Tiruchi region.

TNHDCL and CII had assured support to establishment of large-scale fibre extraction units last year at a brain-storming meet on ‘Banana fibre: research needs for commercial exploitation’ organised by ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichy.

The meet conducted with the aim of boosting up banana fibre utilisation and fulfilling the needs of banana stakeholders, especially entrepreneurs involved in fibre industry, witnessed Coimbatore-based organisations showcasing their technologies for utilising fibre-based products, sheets, composite boards, and protrays that can replace plastics and pave way for a greener environment.

The South India Textile Research Association, Coimbatore, demonstrated its technology for spinning and yarn-making to make banana fibre suitable for blending with other fabrics in textile industry. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University highlighted the significance of fibre-based nanofilm wraps for extending the shelf life of horticultural commodities in super markets. The Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Coimbatore, displayed its machine developed for minimal processing of central core stem.