DOST inks MOA with Carolina Bamboo Garden on bamboo R&D for textiles
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research and Development Institute (DOST-PTRI) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Carolina Bamboo Garden in Antipolo City to pursue research and development (R&D) on the use of bamboo as “potential” textile raw material.

The DOST-PTRI announced that the MOA was signed between CBG president Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez and DOST-PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba on June 9.
The project is entitled “Evaluation of Philippine Bamboo Species as a Textile Material”. It is funded by the DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
“DOST-PTRI will characterize and evaluate 12 bamboo species that CBG will provide for their potential as textile raw materials,” the DOST-PTRI said in a statement.
The CBG, which was launched on May 6, 2000, houses 45 bamboo species.
“The project will validate the technology, technical data, and economic considerations in the mainstreaming of bamboo for textile manufacture,” it said.
The DOST-PTRI had implemented a project focused on the technical feasibility of native bamboo varieties such as Kawayan Tinik (Bambusa blumenea), Yellow Bamboo (Schizostachyum brachycladum), Bolo (Gigantochloa levis), and Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), for textile manufacture.
“The study revealed Kawayang Tinik as a most suitable raw material for yarn production, yielding the highest fiber recovery (38.41 percent) among other natural textile fibers studied by the Institute, including pineapple leaf, banana, BANDALA, abaca, and water hyacinth,” it said.
“The treated fibers were also soft and pliable, fiber properties essential for yarn production,” it added.
The Institute vowed to continue exploring the potential of different natural textile fibers available in the country for textile applications.
“These fibers promote sustainable textile production and consumption, and harness a competitive advantage of Philippine textiles,” it said.
Those interested parties who have inquiries about bamboo textile processing were urged to email the Bamboo Project Team through email address at [email protected].