Leather made from banana fibre gets global recognition

August 16: Banana leather, being manufactured by a team led by the head of Textile Engineering Institute of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, has secured the certificate of registration from The Vegan Society. The institute's chairman Prof Dr Zeeshan Khatri informed The Express Tribune on Friday that an order from a well-known footwear brand, ECS, has also coincided with the certification.

The Vegan Society was formed in November, 1944 and it was registered as a charity in August, 1964. The society follows a philosophy of avoiding all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. It promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment.

Dr Khatri said the certification is a testament to their commitment to creating sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives that align with the global standards. "This achievement highlights our dedication to producing high-quality materials without any animal content, and it reinforces our mission to lead the way in ethical and eco-friendly innovation."

Banana leather is made from the pseudo stem of a banana plant. In Sindh banana waste and trees are mostly set on fire to clear land for the next season of cultivation. Dr Khatri has set up a production plant, based in a large hall, in the premises of MUET. He has so far manufactured sandals and purses from banana leather as prototypes. According to Dr Khatri, this type of leather is in high demand in countries where people avoid wearing products made from animal leather.