Boosting the tropical fabrics industry through innovations

In the Philippines, January is designated as the month to celebrate indigenous fabrics under Proclamation No. 313 Series of 2012. The Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) month aims to promote natural textiles, advance local industries, and create livelihood opportunities. Numerous domestically obtained natural fibers such as abaca, banana, bamboo, and silk are among the materials that perfectly capture the richness of the Philippines’ abundant natural resources. 

The month-long celebration, themed “Spinning Innovations,” represents a commitment to fostering cooperation and conversations, and turning little efforts into meaningful solutions.  It focuses on innovation, research, and technology to transform the textile sector sustainably. The approach involves interfering throughout the textile supply and value chains, and is based on science, technology, and innovation. Spinning Innovations brings stakeholders together by evoking a feeling of urgency and patriotism for a revitalized textile sector propelled by science, technology, and innovation.

Spearheaded by the textile research arm of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the  Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) featured various activities such as program and facility launching, talks, exhibitions, and textile conferences. These activities provide a thorough overview of the textile sector’s innovations, achievements, and stakeholder engagement. One example is the grand launching of the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) in Abra. This program, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) – funded program, Bamboo Textile Fiber R&D and Commercialization Program, seeks to help the communities transform raw materials into fibers for livelihood and continuous innovation in textile industry.