TITLE:
Data-Driven Frameworks for Circular and Traceable Banana Fibre Textiles: Opportunities and Challenges
AUTHORS:
Edwin Kamalha, Mackenzie Tuhirirwe, Ildephonse Nibikora
KEYWORDS:
Banana Fiber, Sustainability, Traceability, Circular Economy, Eco-Textiles
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Textile Science and Technology,
Vol.12 No.1,
December
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: The textile industry is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting sectors worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of industrial wastewater. The growth of fast fashion has further intensified these challenges, generating about 92 million tons of textile waste annually, with projections indicating a rise to 134 million tons by 2030. This has created an urgent need for sustainable and renewable alternatives to conventional fibers such as cotton and synthetics. Banana fiber, derived from agricultural waste in the form of pseudostems, presents a viable solution due to its biodegradability, low water footprint, and high tensile strength. This review synthesizes current research on banana fiber textiles, with an emphasis on traceability, circularity, and technological innovations that can enhance sustainability. Despite its potential, less than 5% of banana pseudostems are currently processed into fiber. The barriers include fragmented supply chains, limited infrastructure, and a lack of digital traceability systems. However, emerging technologies such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) have the potential to transform these limitations by improving supply chain transparency, product authentication, and lifecycle monitoring. In addition, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies indicate that banana fiber has a significantly lower carbon and water footprint compared to widely used fibers such as polyester and cotton, strengthening its case as a sustainable textile material. The review further identifies critical research and policy gaps. These include the need for integrated frameworks that combine traceability and circularity, comprehensive LCAs, inclusion of smallholder farmers in the value chain, and national policies supportive of ecofriendly fiber production. Future research should aim at building data-driven frameworks that integrate traceability tools, circular economy models, and supportive policies to unlock banana fiber’s full potential in the global market. By bridging these gaps, banana fiber can emerge as a catalyst for sustainable textile innovation, fostering environmental conservation, supporting rural livelihoods, and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 12 and 13).