On June 9, CBG president Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez and DOST-PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba signed an agreement, according to the DOST-PTRI.
“Evaluation of Philippine Bamboo Species as a Textile Material” is the title of the project. The DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development-funds it (PCAARRD) The study will assess the potential of 12 bamboo species provided by CBG as textile raw materials. Bamboo species include Kawayan Tinik (Bambusa blumenea), Yellow Bamboo (Schizostachyum brachycladum), Bolo (Gigantochloa levis), and Giant Bamboo.
Among the natural textile fibres investigated by the Institute, Kawayang Tinik is the most appropriate raw material for yarn production, with the highest fibre recovery (38.41 percent). According to the study, pineapple leaf, banana, BANDALA, abaca, and water hyacinth were all soft and flexible. The Institute pledged to continue investigating the possibilities of various natural textiles available in the nation for textile applications.