Valorization of agro-wastes from pineapple cultivation

Cellulose fibers are high-performing fibers that have unique properties such as abrasion resistance, moisture absorbency, etc. enabling them to find usage in applications such as apparel, home textile and industrial. The production of premium quality fibers and greater use of cellulose fibers in place of cotton present several market growth opportunities. The production of man-made fibers involves the industrial processing of wood pulp derived from botanical sources, but fluctuating price of wood pulp is a major problem in this market that causes a shift of focus towards producing cellulose fibers from renewable sources. Industry trends indicate that the global market for textiles will focus greatly on biodegradable, eco-friendly, and skin-friendly fabrics, focusing towards investment for the implementation of new technologies and materials to produce new and high-quality products. For all these reasons, the companies are extensively into research and new product developments. This theme is strictly connected to the concept of sustainable economy achievable by the introduction of environmental friendly processes, by the study of new materials obtainable from renewable sources and by the exploitation and minimization of by-products and wastes from industrial processes. The biorefinery concept matches all these aspects: in a biorefinery biomass conversion processes are integrated and value-added chemicals, new materials, fuels, power, heat, can be obtained in a sustainable way with environmental friendly processes. An interesting example is the case of Thailand, where agriculture and textile industry are working together to exploit the resources obtainable from pineapple cultivation. This nation produces over 2.2 million t/y of pineapple fruits; connected to this cultivation, recently, is developing a new business resulting from the extraction of fibers from leaves (PALF), to be employed with great potential in the textile sector.