Textiles with Banana Fibre Innovation

Empowering a sustainable future with innovative banana fibre solutions,
bridging the gap between global fibre demand
and environmental responsibility.

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Our Impact

Banatex-EA is designed to have a significant positive impact on local communities

Income Generation

Farmers receive direct income from selling banana stems, providing a new revenue source.

Capacity Building

Offering training on best practices for banana cultivation, disease management, and environmental sustainability.

Insurance Packages

Providing insurance to mitigate risks related to crop failure or adverse weather conditions.

Extension Services

Delivering farm extension services to improve overall agricultural productivity.

About Banatex-EA

Banatex-EA: A Commitment to a Greener Tomorrow

01

Production Objective

The primary goal is to produce high-quality, spinnable banana fibers using specialized extraction processes and equipment developed by our consortium partner, the National Textile University of Pakistan. By refining these techniques and involving textile mills and suppliers, the project aims to commercialize the product and create a new value chain within the textile industry.

02

Economic Objective

Banatex-EA seeks to enhance local economic opportunities and community livelihoods by empowering and training local farmers to supply banana stems. By providing farm extension services and purchasing stems that are typically discarded, the project offers farmers an additional income stream.

About BanaTex-EA

Banatex-EA (Banana Textiles in East Africa) is an innovative project aimed at bridging the gap between global fiber demand and supply by promoting a sustainable transition to alternative fibers—specifically, banana fibers. Spearheaded by Busitema University in Uganda, under the leadership of Dr. Edwin Kamalha, the project focuses on harnessing the untapped potential of banana plants to produce sustainable textiles.

The BanaTex-EA project has been awarded a grant fund through the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme. The SMEP programme, funded by UK International Development (FCDO), is implemented in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This support allows the project to expand its research, development, and production efforts, paving the way for sustainable textile solutions in East Africa and contributing to global environmental sustainability.

What we do

Innovating Banana Fiber Production

Banatex-EA is at the forefront of transforming agricultural waste into valuable textile resources. By innovating banana fiber production, we aim to create sustainable alternatives to traditional...

Empowering Local Communities

At Banatex-EA, we are committed to creating shared value by directly involving local communities in our operations. Empowering local communities is at the heart of our mission, as we believe that...

Promoting Environmental Sustainability

At Banatex-EA, environmental conservation is at the heart of what we do. We are deeply committed to promoting environmental sustainability through innovative practices that not only benefit the...

Building Strategic Partnerships

Collaboration is key to our success at Banatex-EA. Building strategic partnerships enables us to leverage expertise, resources, and networks to advance our mission of promoting sustainable textile...

Driving Economic and Social Impact

Our work at Banatex-EA extends beyond fiber production to create meaningful economic and social change. By integrating sustainable practices with community development, we aim to drive positive...

At Banatex-EA, we are pioneering a sustainable transformation in the textile industry by harnessing the untapped potential of banana fibers. Our work revolves around three core pillars: innovation in fiber production, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

There’s an opportunity to exploit the fibers for economic gain

"There’s an opportunity to support the world in meeting the demand gap we have in terms of fiber need and demand. This is a good, sustainable alternative as long as we are not hurting the environment and are benefiting humanity. This is a good initiative where we can exploit agricultural waste.”

Dr. Edwin Kamalha

Project Head

News and Updates

Government Okays Project to Make Clothes out of Banana Fibre

Though many Ugandans have known banana plants as an exquisite source of food on their plate, many...

Current Activities and Status

The project is in its inception phase, with several planned and ongoing activities;

Successfully held to establish collaboration among partners held September 20-23 in Kampala to engage stakeholders and finalize project plans.

Ongoing efforts to involve key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and local communities.

Profiling and contracting farmers in regions near project sites, such as Namanve, Kayunga, and Gayaza, to supply banana stems.

Acquiring extraction and processing machinery, including medium-scale fiber extractors, to enhance production capacity.

Setting up facilities for fiber extraction, processing, and eventual textile production.

Supporting master’s and Ph.D. students in related research areas and hiring essential project personnel.