Eco-friendly tresses

Jorhat, Nov. 27: Barbie’s crowning glory, the envy of girls worldwide, could be in for an eco-friendly makeover.

The North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) is working on a project to soften banana fibres so that they could replace synthetic fibres used to fabricate hair for dolls, including Barbie.

Tridip Goswami, head of cellulose, pulp and paper division of NEIST, said they were on the verge of completing a research, which would make fibres of banana plant as soft and silky as a doll’s hair. “We are working on an enzyme which would soften the fibres, keep the colour intact and retain quality,” he added.

“The day may not be far off when the synthetic hair on Barbie and other dolls are replaced by banana fibres which have the same blonde colour. Use of synthetic fibres, usually derived from a petroleum byproduct, and colours in children’s toys have long been a matter of contention with parents. The natural banana fibres would make the dolls less allergic for children,” Goswami said.

Banana fibres, which are one-and-a-half times stronger and cheaper than jute, have a huge market potential. They, however, have not been sufficiently exploited here.

The biodegradable fibre would aid in waste utilisation, less consumption of electricity and cause less pollution.

Goswami said 1kg green pseudo stem from the bhim kol variety of bananas produces 200gm of fibre and 600gm of water during extraction. As the fibre extraction can be done by the conventional jute-processing machine and manually, the power consumption is less and makes for a low-cost substitute.

While the retting process in jute is very polluting, there is minimal to no pollution in banana-fibre extraction. Beside, 1kg jute fibre extraction costs Rs 85 and that of banana Rs 45.

In the last few years, NEIST has discovered three processes to extract fibre — chemical, mechanical and manual.

Strong ropes, twines and wall hangings can be produced with fibres extracted through the first process, fabric cloth by the second and handicrafts by the third.

The fibre can be used to make long-lasting tablemats, doormats, carpets, sacks, key rings, bags, purses, vases and shopping bags.

The traditional Assamese gamocha, a cloth made out of cotton, looks more beautiful when woven with banana fibre.

With a little bit of value addition, banana fibre can be used to construct fire-proof, water-proof roofing and can replace hay.

NEIST director P.G. Rao had earlier said the use of banana fibres, abundant in the northeastern states, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, could bring about a revolution in the country.

“The scientists have also found that the fibre prepared from banana plant has more capacity to absorb harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun than cotton fibre. Caps, hats and summer clothes made of banana fibre can be of great demand if marketed properly,” Rao said.