Bananatex®: A Leap in Eco-Friendly Material
Swiss bag manufacturer QWSTION has broken new ground by developing Bananatex®, a fabric spun from banana plant fibers. This innovative venture showcases that sustainability in fashion is not just about the “where,” but also the “how” and the “who.”
As awareness of the environmental toll of the fashion industry grows, there has been a concerted effort to counteract its damaging practices. Conventional textile manufacturing often relies on plastics and fossil fuels, contributing significantly to pollution.
The Journey from Organic Cotton to Banana Fibers
In response to this, QWSTION, founded in 2008 by Sebastian Kruit, Christian Kaegi, Fabrice Aeberhard, Matthias Graf, and Hannes Schoenegger, has been focused on crafting daily-use bags that combine minimalist design with a reduced ecological impact. Prior to Bananatex®, the brand primarily used organic cotton in its products.
How Bananatex® Tackles the Environmental Crisis Head-On
“We’ve committed to using natural fibers whenever possible to attain maximum sustainability,” the company notes. This also involves using PFC-free water-repellent coatings to evade harmful chemicals.
Adding to its line of high-density organic cotton canvas products, QWSTION has recently launched Bananatex®, produced in collaboration with Filipino farmers and Taiwanese yarn experts. This fabric is sourced from Abacá plants—also known as banana hemp or scientifically as Musa Textilis—which generate fibers instead of fruit.
The Abacá Plant: Nature’s Sustainable Alternative
The Abacá plant, native to the Philippines, thrives without the need for pesticides, fertilizers, or additional irrigation, making it an eco-friendly choice. Moreover, its cultivation supports reforestation efforts in areas previously devastated by palm plantations, benefiting local farming communities.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration: East Meets West in Innovation
In a remarkable open-source, cross-cultural initiative, Bananatex® stands as a viable alternative to synthetic materials commonly used in bag manufacturing today. The material’s development involved three years of dedicated research and development, drawing inspiration from Swiss design principles and East Asian expertise in materials.
The Making of Bananatex®: From Raw Fiber to Durable Fabric
To create Bananatex®, the raw Abacá fiber is converted into paper at a Taiwanese spinning mill. This paper is then sliced and twisted into yarn, eventually woven into fabric. QWSTION’s Zurich headquarters designs the Bananatex bags, prioritizing pattern layouts that minimize waste during the production process. The manufacturing is handled by Mrs. Wan and Mr. Lai, Taiwan-based artisans with three decades of bag-making expertise.
Not Just Waterproof, But Biodegradable Too
The end products are functional, aesthetically pleasing, waterproof, and most importantly, biodegradable. Complementing Bananatex, almost all other components of the bags, such as belts and straps, are made from natural or recyclable materials like Rayon, Cotton, or Nylon. Metal elements are crafted from aluminum or steel, and beeswax serves as the water-resistant coating.
While some may argue that outsourcing manufacturing contradicts current sustainability standards that favor local production, QWSTION contends that the “how” of production outweighs the “where.”
“Our focus is on the expertise, which allows us to drive positive change by improving standards across the supply chain,” explains Christian Kaegi. The brand assures that its production methods, both in Europe and Asia, adhere to the highest ethical and environmental benchmarks.
Awards and Recognition: Bananatex® Takes Home Design Prize Switzerland
In recognition of their innovative efforts, QWSTION received the Design Prize Switzerland in the textile category for Bananatex® in 2019.
“Bananatex represents more than just a material; it’s an innovation with the potential to surpass us,” Kaegi concludes.
