Thailand has developed a durable and eco-friendly Pineapple Skin
Scientists from Mahidol University in Thailand have made a breakthrough in the field of biomaterials by creating an environmentally friendly alternative to natural leather. This material has great potential for the production of clothing, shoes, bags and other items.
The process of creating the new material used 100% biofibers from pineapple leaves and natural rubber for better adhesion. The manufacturing process comes down to extracting and preparing the tiny fibers. The leaves are peeled, sliced, shredded, dried and sieved to separate the non-fiber material. The resulting fibers are mixed with sodium hydroxide, washed, and spread on silkscreen, similar to papermaking processes. Finally, a thin layer of natural latex is applied to the nonwoven flattened fiber sheets.
Experts say that "pineapple leather" is a sustainable and environmentally viable alternative to traditional leather. It has the potential to revolutionize the leather industry and contribute to an environmentally friendly future.
The scientists plan to continue working on improving the development. This includes adjusting the feel of the material to more closely resemble the softness of animal skin.