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Development of Plant-Based Leather from Naturally Dyed Banana Pseudo-Stem Using a Low-Energy Process
Seranee Srisuk1, Thanakorn Sodsai2, Penwisa Pisitsak1,3
1Department of Materials and Textile Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand.
Polymers
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Banana pseudo-stem fibers were naturally dyed using lac and indigo for sustainable plant-based leather. This low-energy process yielded durable materials with good perspiration fastness and waterproof properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Agricultural waste, such as banana pseudo-stem (BSS) fibers, presents an opportunity for sustainable material development.
- Natural dyeing offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes, reducing environmental impact.
- Plant-based leather alternatives are gaining traction as sustainable replacements for traditional leather.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the natural dyeing of banana pseudo-stem fibers for plant-based leather applications.
- To optimize low-energy dyeing processes for lac dye and indigo blue.
- To evaluate the physical and fastness properties of the dyed BSS materials.
Main Methods:
- Systematic determination of optimal dyeing parameters for lac dye (pre-mordanting, dye concentration, pH, duration) and indigo blue (dye concentration, reducing agents, temperature, time).
- Application of natural dyes (lac and indigo) to banana pseudo-stem fibers.
- Lamination of dyed BSS onto polypropylene nonwoven substrate and coating with natural rubber latex.
- Assessment of perspiration fastness, color change, light fastness, bursting strength, and moisture management properties.
Main Results:
- Optimal lac dyeing parameters identified using tannic acid and aluminum potassium sulfate mordants.
- Optimal indigo dyeing conditions determined with specific concentrations of wet indigo, sodium hydroxide, and thiourea dioxide.
- Dyed BSS samples showed good to excellent perspiration fastness (staining) and fair light fastness.
- Laminated BSS materials achieved bursting strengths of 51.8-54.8 psi and demonstrated inherent waterproof properties.
Conclusions:
- Banana pseudo-stem fibers can be effectively dyed using natural lac and indigo dyes through optimized, low-energy processes.
- The resulting dyed BSS materials, when laminated and coated, offer a viable, sustainable plant-based leather alternative.
- This approach transforms agricultural residues into valuable materials, promoting resource efficiency and circular economy principles.
