Hypo-allergenic fabrics to be made from bromelia
Offering high resistance, low density and recyclability, fibres of the curauá plant – an Amazonian giant bromelia belonging to the pineapple plant family – are being tested as a replacement for fibreglass to reinforce plastic materials for injection moulded car parts, and for making hypo-allergenic fabrics.
Curauá fibres are currently being used in water tanks and pools and to produce iron beams in countries with high incidence of earthquakes, such as Japan. Meanwhile, residue from the curauá leaves is used to produce animal feed and its sap can be used to make anaesthetics. Research into the production of hypo-allergenic fabrics from the plants is already underway.
Brazil currently produces just 20 tons of curaruá fibre concentrates around the city of Santarém in the northern state of Pará. However, the curauá culture is expanding fast and local farmers are now considering producing the plant on a larger scale.
