In Taiwan, an unexpected revival is taking shape as entrepreneur Nelson Yang transforms the humble banana plant into a promising source of sustainable textiles. His company, Farm to Material, based in the central Changhua rural belt, is processing banana pseudostems into fibres that can be used for socks, blended fabrics and even vegan leather.

Taiwan, now a global leader in semiconductors, once held pride in its tropical fruits, especially bananas. Under Japanese colonial rule, the island was renowned for pineapples and bananas, and in the 1960s it proudly wore the title of “banana kingdom.” Today, Yang is reaching back into that history to give the crop new meaning in a world searching for eco-friendly materials.

The process takes the middle section of the banana plant, normally discarded after harvest, and crushes and dries it into strong fibres. These fibres are spun into yarn, suitable for blending with cotton and are also finding use in alternatives like vegan leather. Although the venture is still in its early stages with no confirmed apparel orders yet, the innovation is gaining attention.

Experts see strong potential. “Banana fibre actually performs better than regular cotton in water use, absorbency, and supply stability, making it a highly promising material for the future,” explained Charlotte Chiang, director at the Taiwan Textile Federation.

With a vision rooted in both sustainability and heritage, banana fibre could soon become a new highlight for Taiwan and a vital step toward greener textiles.