Abaca’s new role after polymer bills

February 16, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The former use of abaca fiber for Philippine bills – which will soon be dominated by plastic (polymer) bills produced and printed in foreign countries – may soon be revived as an alternative to the widely popular plastic bags and containers that have congested and polluted both land and water resources.

Abaca is a banana species native to the Philippines and is known as one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. Natural fiber composites can be stronger and more resilient than traditional plastics.

Abaca fiber is processed into composites with other local fibers like pineapple, spider lily and vetiver, which can replace up to 40 percent of plastic in products. Products made from natural fiber composites can be recycled or composted at the end of their life cycle. They are lightweight enough to float in water.

The benefits of using abaca fiber for sustainable plastics include reduced dependence on traditional plastics (now largely considered an environmental crisis), a decrease in plastic usage and a sustainable resource for communities.

D&L Industries Inc., through subsidiary, D&L Polymer & Colours Inc. (DLPC), has been developing abaca fiber composites for the past 25 years, albeit slowly due to lack of technology. DLPC president Lester Lao said the company is spearheading technological advancements in making plastics sustainable.

In a statement, Lao said the country has “an endless supply of natural fibers that are mostly deemed as waste. About 25 years ago, we had already started exploring the possibilities of harnessing the potential of abaca fiber as an environmentally friendly complementary material or alternative to plastics. However, the technology to properly process abaca fibers at scale did not exist at the time.”

Lao said DLPC is doing the groundwork to scale production for various applications while creating the market and educating customers about the practical applications of the technology.

Lao said DLPC is in talks with potential partners interested in using natural fiber composites to make their plastic products more sustainable.

“What we have developed is a totally new material that is arguably breaking the boundaries of polymer science. With its unique characteristics and sustainable aspects, we are convinced that it has the potential to revolutionize the plastics industry,” Lao said.

While the raw material includes abaca fiber, he said the technology has proven flexible enough to use other locally found fibers, such as those from pineapple, spider lily, bakong and vetiver.

“The resulting natural fiber composites can replace up to 40 percent of polymers in the formulation of various consumer and industrial products traditionally made from plastics, thus helping minimize plastic usage,” Lao said.

“These composites are stronger and more resilient while being lightweight enough to float in water. Given these extraordinary properties, natural fiber composites have a wide array of potential applications, ranging from everyday consumer durables to industrial applications in the construction and automotive industries, among others. At the end of their normal life cycle, products made from natural fiber composites can be recycled or processed using existing waste systems. They can also be composted for better circularity,” he said.

Abaca fiber is extracted from the stems of the banana plant using a decorticator. DLPC’s technology turns the fiber into composites that can replace up to 40 percent of conventional plastics in various products.

While plastics have been embedded in our everyday lives, their widespread use has led to alarming levels of pollution and waste. Balancing their undeniable utility with environmental responsibility is a growing challenge.

D&L is set to launch a pioneering plant-based fiber-plastics technology this year that integrates natural fibers into plastic products. The initiative reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship while retaining the functional benefits of modern society could not do without, the company said.

While admitting that “we can’t live without plastics,” Lao said, “we also cannot ignore the environmental toll they take. This is where innovation becomes critical.”

Abaca fiber is globally recognized as the strongest natural fiber in the world, which is abundant in the Philippines.

DLPC’s plant-based fiber-plastics technology represents a significant advancement in polymer science, the study of the properties, synthesis, structure and applications of polymers — large molecules made up of repeating structural units (monomers) chemically bonded together.

Lao said what DLPC has developed is a new material that is arguably breaking the boundaries of polymer science with its unique characteristics and sustainable aspects that could revolutionize the plastics industry. The company does not intend to completely replace plastic components but rather open doors for industries to rethink their strategy for sustainability in automotive, construction, and even electric vehicles.

DLPC is focused on scaling production and educating customers about the technology’s capabilities. Additionally, the company is engaged in discussions with potential partners interested in adopting sustainable solutions.

“What we have developed is not just a material but a solution that could redefine how industries approach sustainability,” Lao said.