Eco-Friendly and Fair Trade Products
FIBERS/MATERIALS INFORMATION
English Name:
ABACA (MANILA HEMP)
Scientific Name:
MUSA TEXTILES
ABACA (MANILA HEMP)
Scientific Name:
MUSA TEXTILES
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The abaca plant is a Philippine original. The origin of the abaca plant (a variety of the banana tree) is in the southern part of
the Philippines (mainly found in the Bicol and Visayas region) where there are rain forests and highly humid atmospheric
conditions. Its fiber is widely known in the export trade as Manila Hemp. Currently, Bicol and the Leyte-Samar area are the
top producers of abaca fibers. While banana is valued for its fruits, the abaca is valued for its stalk The abaca plant also bear
fruits and flowers that resemble closely the banana’s. The abaca is believed to have evolved in the Bicol area and since have
been propagated fto Southern Luzon and the Visayas region.
One distinguishing characteristic between the banana and the abaca plant is the shape of the leaftip. The abaca is more
pointed while the banana is rounded. Likewise the abaca fruits are small and are not as enticing as that of the banana.
The abaca is a plant material that the Philippine government regulates. While other plant material like seeds and flowers are
freely shared between countries, among research centers, the abaca is restricted material.
It is used in the handicraft business as pulp material for handmade paper, fibers to be woven into ropes, and braids and
cordage.
Acknowledgement :
Abaca Plant Photo and information from FIDA (Fiber Industry Development Authority - Philippines)
the Philippines (mainly found in the Bicol and Visayas region) where there are rain forests and highly humid atmospheric
conditions. Its fiber is widely known in the export trade as Manila Hemp. Currently, Bicol and the Leyte-Samar area are the
top producers of abaca fibers. While banana is valued for its fruits, the abaca is valued for its stalk The abaca plant also bear
fruits and flowers that resemble closely the banana’s. The abaca is believed to have evolved in the Bicol area and since have
been propagated fto Southern Luzon and the Visayas region.
One distinguishing characteristic between the banana and the abaca plant is the shape of the leaftip. The abaca is more
pointed while the banana is rounded. Likewise the abaca fruits are small and are not as enticing as that of the banana.
The abaca is a plant material that the Philippine government regulates. While other plant material like seeds and flowers are
freely shared between countries, among research centers, the abaca is restricted material.
It is used in the handicraft business as pulp material for handmade paper, fibers to be woven into ropes, and braids and
cordage.
Acknowledgement :
Abaca Plant Photo and information from FIDA (Fiber Industry Development Authority - Philippines)
SINAMAY is made from the stripped fibers of the abaca plant. These fibers come from the stalk of the abaca plant which
takes about two years to mature from planting to processing. The plant is cut slightly above the root area to near leaf area
which is about 1 1/2 to 2 meters long. This trunk is peeled throwing away the green-brown and retaining only the clean and
white portion. This will be processed into knotted fibers. Usually, these fibers are extracted through hand extraction machine.
The extracted fibers are sun-dried which whitens the fiber.
The woven fabric is callled SINAMAY. It is usually bleached or dyed to any color shade. In addition to dyeing the sinamay, it
is sometimes woven with strands of gold called rotex. It is an imported thread made in Taiwan which adds glitter to the
finished product.
The weaving is done by hand, thus the process is slow.
SINAMAY is hand-washeable, using mild soap and drip dried. This material can last up to even more than a hundred years if
properly taken cared of.
A sample of "SINAMAY" fibers made into a round box with pouch top. This box can be used as a gift packaging material that
is transparent and environment-friendly.
takes about two years to mature from planting to processing. The plant is cut slightly above the root area to near leaf area
which is about 1 1/2 to 2 meters long. This trunk is peeled throwing away the green-brown and retaining only the clean and
white portion. This will be processed into knotted fibers. Usually, these fibers are extracted through hand extraction machine.
The extracted fibers are sun-dried which whitens the fiber.
The woven fabric is callled SINAMAY. It is usually bleached or dyed to any color shade. In addition to dyeing the sinamay, it
is sometimes woven with strands of gold called rotex. It is an imported thread made in Taiwan which adds glitter to the
finished product.
The weaving is done by hand, thus the process is slow.
SINAMAY is hand-washeable, using mild soap and drip dried. This material can last up to even more than a hundred years if
properly taken cared of.
A sample of "SINAMAY" fibers made into a round box with pouch top. This box can be used as a gift packaging material that
is transparent and environment-friendly.
Buri is a palm from which three kinds of fibers such as buri, buntal and raffia are obtained.
The buri palm has a large fan shape leaves with stout petioles ranging from two to three meters in length. The palm
reaches a height of 20 to 40 meters and its trunk attains a diameter of 1 to 1.5 meters.
Of the buri fiber, buntal is the one with the most impact in the market.
Buri is the matured leaf of the palm, raffia is the young shoot or leaf while buntal is extracted from the petiole of the leaf.
USES/APPLICATIONS
* Buri - Hats, bags, slippers, window blinds, attache cases, table accessories, wall paper, screen dividers, and decorative
pillows
* Buntal - Braids, hats, bags, mats and placemats
* Raffia - Wall coverings, upholstery materials, hats, mats, bags, placemats, decors and wrapping materials
The production of buntal fiber started in Sariaya and Tayabas in Quezon (Philippines) while the buntal hat weaving
industry began in Baliuag, Bulacan (Philippines) way back during the pre-war years.
Buri is made into braids and is also woven into various fibercrafts products such as boxes, hats, bags, placemats etc.
Buri is also a good source of food. The pithc or "ubod" is made into salad, pickles and other recipes while young fruits are
made into jams and pounded for starch.
In some of the regions in the Philippines, people extract "tuba" or toddy which is made into vinegar and wine by the local
distillers.
Acknowledgement:
Buri Palm and information derived from the publication of FIDA Philippines (Fiber Industry Development Authority)
The buri palm has a large fan shape leaves with stout petioles ranging from two to three meters in length. The palm
reaches a height of 20 to 40 meters and its trunk attains a diameter of 1 to 1.5 meters.
Of the buri fiber, buntal is the one with the most impact in the market.
Buri is the matured leaf of the palm, raffia is the young shoot or leaf while buntal is extracted from the petiole of the leaf.
USES/APPLICATIONS
* Buri - Hats, bags, slippers, window blinds, attache cases, table accessories, wall paper, screen dividers, and decorative
pillows
* Buntal - Braids, hats, bags, mats and placemats
* Raffia - Wall coverings, upholstery materials, hats, mats, bags, placemats, decors and wrapping materials
The production of buntal fiber started in Sariaya and Tayabas in Quezon (Philippines) while the buntal hat weaving
industry began in Baliuag, Bulacan (Philippines) way back during the pre-war years.
Buri is made into braids and is also woven into various fibercrafts products such as boxes, hats, bags, placemats etc.
Buri is also a good source of food. The pithc or "ubod" is made into salad, pickles and other recipes while young fruits are
made into jams and pounded for starch.
In some of the regions in the Philippines, people extract "tuba" or toddy which is made into vinegar and wine by the local
distillers.
Acknowledgement:
Buri Palm and information derived from the publication of FIDA Philippines (Fiber Industry Development Authority)
English Name:
BURI/BUNTAL/RAFFIA
Scientific Name:
CORYPHA ELATA (ROXB)
BURI/BUNTAL/RAFFIA
Scientific Name:
CORYPHA ELATA (ROXB)
PANDAN (SCREW PINE FAMILY)
PANDAN (Pandanaceae-Screw Pine family)
The pandan leaf is widely used in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. This plant is a perennial and needs to
grow in warm, damp areas in partial sunlight. The soil must be kept moist. This tree grows about twenty-six feet
high and the fruit heads are approximately eight inches in diameter and looks like a green pineapple. The leaves
are used for aromatic flavoring but mostly in connection with rice. These leaves are very popular in Thailand,
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The leaves are also used as fragrant wrappers for rice, chicken and
other food.
The medicinal uses of this tree are as follows: The entire plant is used as a diuretic, the roots have anti-diabetic
properties and the leaves are used for treating skin diseases.
Strips of the leaves are used in making woven baskets, decorative items, bags and many other products for
home, spa, hotels etc.
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. Plants vary in size from small shrubs less
than 1 m tall, up to medium-sized trees 20 m tall, typically with a broad canopy and moderate growth rate. The
trunk is stout, wide-branching, and ringed with many leaf scars. They commonly have many thick prop roots near
the base, which provide support as the tree grows top-heavy with leaves, fruit, and branches. The leaves are
strap-shaped, varying between species from 30 cm up to 2 m or more long, and from 1.5 cm up to 10 cm broad.
They are dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on different plants. The flowers of the male tree are
2-3 cm long and fragrant, surrounded by narrow, white bracts. The female tree produces flowers with round fruits
that are also bract-surrounded. The fruits are globose, 10 to 20 cm in diameter, and have many prism-like
sections, resembling the fruit of the pineapple. Typically, the fruit changes from green to bright orange or red as it
matures. The fruit is edible.
Extraction
The leaves of screw pines are fibrous and resistant to decay. In fiber
preparation, the spiny margins and midribs of the leaves are removed. The leaves are then partly dried under the
sun, and divided into strips of desired width by splitting with a comb-like instrument. Excess water in the fiber is
squeezed out by drawing the strips tightly around a piece of wood.
The prepared fibers are then coiled in bundles and are placed preferably in running water for a period of 24
hours; if in stagnant water, the liquid must be changed frequently. The fibers are then boiled for about 15
minutes either in fresh water or in water mixed with a little vinegar, lemon, or tamarind fruit. The processed fibers
are washed several times in fresh water and spread out under the sun to dry.
The pandan leaf is widely used in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. This plant is a perennial and needs to
grow in warm, damp areas in partial sunlight. The soil must be kept moist. This tree grows about twenty-six feet
high and the fruit heads are approximately eight inches in diameter and looks like a green pineapple. The leaves
are used for aromatic flavoring but mostly in connection with rice. These leaves are very popular in Thailand,
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The leaves are also used as fragrant wrappers for rice, chicken and
other food.
The medicinal uses of this tree are as follows: The entire plant is used as a diuretic, the roots have anti-diabetic
properties and the leaves are used for treating skin diseases.
Strips of the leaves are used in making woven baskets, decorative items, bags and many other products for
home, spa, hotels etc.
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. Plants vary in size from small shrubs less
than 1 m tall, up to medium-sized trees 20 m tall, typically with a broad canopy and moderate growth rate. The
trunk is stout, wide-branching, and ringed with many leaf scars. They commonly have many thick prop roots near
the base, which provide support as the tree grows top-heavy with leaves, fruit, and branches. The leaves are
strap-shaped, varying between species from 30 cm up to 2 m or more long, and from 1.5 cm up to 10 cm broad.
They are dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on different plants. The flowers of the male tree are
2-3 cm long and fragrant, surrounded by narrow, white bracts. The female tree produces flowers with round fruits
that are also bract-surrounded. The fruits are globose, 10 to 20 cm in diameter, and have many prism-like
sections, resembling the fruit of the pineapple. Typically, the fruit changes from green to bright orange or red as it
matures. The fruit is edible.
Extraction
The leaves of screw pines are fibrous and resistant to decay. In fiber
preparation, the spiny margins and midribs of the leaves are removed. The leaves are then partly dried under the
sun, and divided into strips of desired width by splitting with a comb-like instrument. Excess water in the fiber is
squeezed out by drawing the strips tightly around a piece of wood.
The prepared fibers are then coiled in bundles and are placed preferably in running water for a period of 24
hours; if in stagnant water, the liquid must be changed frequently. The fibers are then boiled for about 15
minutes either in fresh water or in water mixed with a little vinegar, lemon, or tamarind fruit. The processed fibers
are washed several times in fresh water and spread out under the sun to dry.
Pandan Plant
Woven Pandan lidded box
Twisted Pandan Bag
Mailing address:
A Boyle and Company
417 N. Scrivener Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Phone: (951) 256-4373 sales: press 1
Email address:
sales@ecofriendlypackaging.net
A Boyle and Company
417 N. Scrivener Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Phone: (951) 256-4373 sales: press 1
Email address:
sales@ecofriendlypackaging.net
A Boyle and Company