Search
2024-06-27
Tough new pineapple leather is 60X stronger than other materials

June 17, 2024 | Times |

Researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand have created a novel leather alternative from pineapple leaf fibers, marking a significant advancement in sustainable materials. This bio-based leather surpasses other plant-derived options and even outperforms mushroom-based leather in strength and durability. Unlike traditional leather production, which often involves chemical treatments and environmental concerns, the process developed by the researchers utilizes natural rubber for adhesion without additional plastics.

The pineapple leaf fibers are processed by cleaning, chopping, grinding into a paste, drying, and sieving to extract fibers known as PALF (pineapple leaf fibers). Two types of PALF were tested: untreated (UPALF) and treated with sodium hydroxide (TPALF), each offering different properties. A thin layer of natural latex is applied to these fibers, which are then dried and compressed, mimicking the texture and structure of traditional leather.

In testing, PALF exhibited impressive mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 12.3 MPa, far superior to mushroom-based leather alternatives like MuSkin. It also demonstrated excellent tear resistance and durability compared to existing pineapple leaf leather products. The research, published in the journal Sustainability, highlights PALF as a sustainable solution for the fashion industry, offering not only strength and durability but also the potential for diverse applications and environmental benefits compared to conventional leather production methods.

Read more

Viewed Articles
Tough new pineapple leather is 60X stronger than other materials
June 17, 2024 | Times | Researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand have created a novel leather alternative from pineapple leaf fibers, marking a significant advancement in sustainable materials. T
Jun 27, 2024
Read More
Dragon fruit instant noodles maker gets $1 mln investment on TV show
October 24, 2024 | The Investor | Caty Food JSC, makers of dragon fruit instant noodles, secured a $1 million investment from Nguyen Hoa Binh for 10% equity. The company, valued at $7.87 million, gain
Digitalization finds fertile soil in the eco-friendly dragon fruit farms of Binh Thuan
January 28, 2024 | United Nations Development Programme Viet Nam | Nguyen Hoang Thu Huong, deputy director of the Hoa Le Dragon Fruit Cooperative, showcases dragon fruit products through engaging live
Farmers reap sweet gains from lychee biz
April 11, 2024 | chinadaily | He Jinming, a long-time lychee grower in Guangdong, expands his orchard by acquiring more land, encouraged by advancements in technology and land transfer convenience. Wi
It’s dragon fruits galore at Sepang’s Eco Farm
February 07, 2024 | Business Mirror | HL Dragon Fruit Eco Farm, located in Sepang, Malaysia, boasts being Asia's third-largest dragon fruit farm and a burgeoning agrotourism destination. Founded i
DIMO Agribusinesses offers effective solutions for enhancing coconut harvests
February 17, 2025 | Daily Mirror | Sri Lanka's domestic coconut market is facing rising prices due to supply-demand imbalances. To improve harvest efficiency, farmers need to adopt good agricultur
TOP