Everything you need to know about Bananatex®, the durable & biodegradable fabric

Over the past decade, the fashion industry has witnessed a significant shift as brands embrace eco-conscious luxury, responding to the urgent need for alternatives to conventional materials. Among the pioneers in this movement is Bananatex®, the world’s first durable, biodegradable, and plastic-free fabric made entirely from banana fibres. This new material offers a truly circular solution to the synthetic fabrics that dominate the market today.

Bananatex® fabric was developed by the Swiss brand QWSTION in collaboration with yarn specialists and weaving partners in Taiwan. After three years of intense research and testing, this innovative material emerged as a sustainable textile that adheres to cradle-to-cradle principles and biodegrades in both industrial composts and marine environments. “It is fully circular, compostable, and grows without chemicals, fertilisers, or other harmful substances. It’s a next-gen material for a better future,” emphasises co-founder and CEO of both QWSTION and Bananatex®, Hannes Schoenegger.

Derived from the abaca plant, a resilient banana species native to the Philippines that thrives without agricultural land, synthetic inputs, or water beyond rainfall, Bananatex® uses a cultivation method that supports thousands of smallholder farmers by providing them with a safe source of income. With the plant’s rapid regeneration and harmonious coexistence with other flora, Bananatex® is highly scalable and has the potential to restore biodiversity in many tropical regions worldwide and plays a vital role in permaculture reforestation programs.

Founded in 2008, QWSTION has been committed to using natural materials from the outset, recognising early that sustainable options were limited. “After working with cotton, we began experimenting with alternative fibres such as linen, hemp, and bamboo. Then we discovered the remarkable qualities of banana fibre,” explains Hannes. The abaca fibre, known as the strongest plant fibre in the world, is primarily used in rope manufacturing due to its exceptional strength and durability.

“It is fully circular, compostable, and grows without chemicals, fertilisers, or other harmful substances”

When QWSTION launched its first Bananatex® bag collection, the pioneering fabric was introduced as an open-source innovation to foster partnerships and accelerate change. “The interest in the fabric was immense, which led us to establish Bananatex AG, a spin-off company with its own team and goals,” adds Hannes.

Today, both companies continue to create eco-responsible products together while partnering with others to ensure Bananatex® gains market traction and promotes circular solutions in fashion.

Navigating Business Operations Across Continents

Bananatex®, guided by the available expertise in different locations, operates globally. In the Philippines, the banana fibres are extracted by boiling and pressed into pulp sheets. Taiwan specialises in advanced textile production, transforming the paper strips into yarn, which is subsequently woven or knitted into textiles. The black-coloured yarn uses sustainable dyeing methods, certified by Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, and the natural white yarn reflects the actual colour of the fibres and is not dyed. Design and global distribution is overseen in Switzerland, ensuring transparency and strong partnerships throughout the supply chain.

The company coordinates key activities across continents while keeping a low environmental footprint to ensure that sustainability remains at the core of its practices. “We are in contact with everyone along the supply chain, from farming communities to high-fashion brands. Working vertically is the future as we’ve all somehow lost the connection between the things we use or eat and where they come from,” Hannes explains.

Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of Bananatex’s philosophy, shaping everything from fabric development to the final product. “We’re happy to share our innovation with anyone who has a genuine intention to replace conventional materials with Bananatex®. Brands reach out to us, and we find common ground based on mutual understanding. From there, the development of fabrics or products begins, and hopefully, it continues. We want our next-gen material to grow — because positive impact only happens at scale,” shares Hannes.

Stella McCartney’s launch of the iconic Fungi Forest toile de Jouy print in Bananatex® waterproof fabric in 2023 powerfully amplified the message of environmental stewardship, resonating with eco-conscious consumers in the fashion world. Furthermore, partnerships with global brands such as COS, H&M, and MCM introduce Bananatex® to a broader audience, accelerating the adoption of alternative textile materials and guiding consumer habits toward more ethical and eco-responsible choices.

PETA Fashion Awards Winner

Balenciaga has launched a vegan edition of its iconic Triple S sneaker, featuring an upper crafted from Bananatex® material. Developed over several years of collaboration, the sneaker is now available in two striking colourways: natural white and all black, with dyeing produced without harmful chemicals. This partnership received the PETA Fashion Award 2024 for Best Sneaker this August, highlighting the shared commitment of both brands to cruelty-free fashion.

Looking ahead, Bananatex® is focused on expanding its offerings with new constructions of woven and knitted textiles, along with new finishes, natural dyes, and other innovative methods for applying pigments. With exciting projects in the pipeline, including Bananatex® denim, the brand is poised to further reshape the fashion narrative.