2025-04-26
Beyond fruits
When we think of the banana plant, we often picture its fruit — a staple in kitchens around the world. But the edible part of the banana is, in fact, only a tiny fraction (21%) of the plant itself. The banana pseudostem — the trunk-like part that supports the plant — makes up the majority of its biomass. For every banana harvest, this pseudostem is cut down and typically left behind in the fields. In Taiwan alone, over 27 million banana pseudostems are discarded each year. How much of a banana plant is actually used? Fruit (edible part): about 12–15% of the total plant massBanana flower (sometimes edible): around 1%Leaves: around 10% (occasionally used for wrapping or cooking)Pseudostem (the trunk): 60–80% of the plant’s total weight The pseudostem, rich in plant fibres, is largely underutilised. Traditionally, it decomposes back into the soil or is burned, releasing carbon dioxide and methane back into the atmosphere. By transforming these fibres into a plant-based leather material, we give this agricultural by-product a second life — turning waste into value, and materials into stories worth telling. Why choose banana fibre leather over animal leather? At Aiwooyoo, we respect the long history of craftsmanship behind animal leather. High-quality leather offers a durability, patina, and strength that many plant-based leathers — including ours — may not fully match. What animal leather does well: Exceptional tear resistance and tensile strengthBeautiful ageing process (patina over decades)Long-lasting durability, especially for products like footwear, saddlery, or upholsteryHolds shape well over time in structured designs We recognise these are qualities that plant-based leather alternatives are still striving to achieve. Banana fibre leather, designed to be biodegradable and plastic-free, is not made to last forever — it is made to return to the earth, when its job is done. While animal leather benefits from its strength and long lifecycle, it also carries the environmental weight of the livestock industry, one of the largest contributors to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, banana fibre leather leverages what is already available — what farms would otherwise discard. No extra land, no additional cultivation, no harm to animals. Not a perfect replacement. A different approach. Choosing banana fibre leather isn’t about claiming perfection. It’s about offering an alternative pathway — a material that tells a different story. One that aligns the life cycle of the material with the life cycle of the product. Some products need to last decades.Some are made for shorter journeys — designed to decompose, to return to the soil, to disappear when their purpose is fulfilled. Banana fibre leather belongs to the latter. For brands and designers who believe in rethinking materials, who see beauty not just in how things are made but also in how they end — this is an option worth exploring. We’re here to create that conversation with you.
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