Pineapple – chunks, rings, or clothes?

THE PINEAPPLE PLANT has been good to us: once a symbol of luxury, it has been made into a traditional textile for use in formalwear, and is widely consumed as food.

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What if we tell you you can use it for lighting, casual clothing, and furnishing?

This was the point of Hiblatech, a new company specializing in fibers sourced from pineapple leaves, usually agricultural waste (most everybody else just needs the fruit). The leaves come from different species of pineapple, not the Red Spanish cultivar used for the finer pifia textile. It is processed into a textile resembling felt, which could be processed further into a polyester blend resembling linen.

Hiblatech’s partner in this is Chuck Lazaro of Asia Textile Mills, a pioneer in natural fiber processing with over 40 years of experience in the industry. Mr. Lazaro also assisted in the creation of Pifiatex, a pineapple-derived leather alternative by Carmen Hijosa from Spain.