Of the pineapple plant, of which we all know its sweet and tasty fruit, not much else is known. In fact, production focuses mainly on the fruit alone.
Immediately after harvesting the “pine cone”, the plant is disposed of by farmers often by simply burning it, but in doing so, potential good fibres with which to produce yarn and textiles are wasted: pineapple fibre is extracted from the leaves of the plant!
Pineapple is mainly cultivated in subtropical countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Brazil, Hawaii, India, Indonesia and the West Indies.
However, traditionally, the production of textile fibres from pineapple leaves is attributed to the Philippines.
During the 19th century, cloth made from the leaves of the sweet fruit was in great demand, not only in the islands of its origin, but all over the world.
However, when the much cheaper cotton fabrics became popular, its production ceased and the pineapple fibre fabric almost disappeared.
Until a few years ago, this fibre was almost impossible to find. It was still only processed in a few rural areas, by a handful of elderly weavers who continued to work it part-time, not for subsistence, but in order not to lose a centuries-long tradition.
Over the past few years, thanks to a renewed interest in natural and traditional fibres, pineapple fibre and textiles have started to be talked about again, and some local producers have resumed marketing it.
Pineapple fibre is among the thinnest cellulosic fibres in existence; it is often referred to as pineapple silk.
Fabrics with an appearance similar to linen but with a high lustre are produced from this fibre.
Soft and bright, it is naturally white or ivory in colour. The resulting yarns and fabrics are also light, breathable, durable and easy to wash.
We at Maeko, tireless researchers of fibres that come directly from nature and the earth, are working to offer our customers pineapple fibre yarns and fabrics in the near future.
Don't stop following us because what is currently just a project could soon become reality.
