A groundbreaking Pakistani project that transforms banana waste into high-quality, eco-friendly fibre has captured a prestigious global award and secured a European partnership, highlighting a potential USD 1 billion export market for the nation.
According to a statement today, Mohammad Sarfraz, a researcher at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), received the acclaimed Discover Natural Fibre Initiative (DNFI) Award at the Heimtextil International Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany. His project stood out among submissions from over 100 international research institutions and corporations.
The innovation has already attracted significant international commercial interest. According to the project”s industrial partner, Mohammad Fawwad Supriya, a German company has signed a partnership agreement to manufacture and market products derived from the Pakistani banana fibre, with other European firms also expressing a willingness to collaborate.
The initiative is projected to generate employment and alleviate poverty in Sindh and Balochistan. Production of the fibre has commenced in Sukkur and Lasbela, with a subsequent phase aiming to incorporate 4,000 local households into the supply chain.
Industry experts project that Pakistan possesses the capacity to produce approximately 500 million kilograms of natural fibre from banana waste annually, which could translate to a global market value of up to USD 1 billion.
In response to the achievement, Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor praised the innovation as a point of pride for the country. He emphasised that fostering a culture of research and supporting startups is essential for strengthening the national economy.
Shakoor commented on the nation”s abundance of talent, which he argued requires greater patronage. He pointed to Pakistan”s low expenditure on education and research and criticised academic institutions for teaching outdated curricula, which results in graduates holding qualifications with little practical value in the job market.
He advocated for a greater focus on technical training and the implementation of flexible, modular life-long learning programmes to allow students to pursue education according to their individual schedules.