Taiwan’s Green 1 spins new life into recycled fibers

台灣綠冠農業有限公司（Green 1）為再生纖維注入新生命

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Green 1 Organic Specialized Pineapple Farm is turning discarded pineapple leaves into natural fiber, transforming agricultural waste into sustainable materials for textiles and packaging.

The Kaohsiung startup’s automated natural fiber extraction machine can process pineapple leaves, banana stems, and sisal, standardizing fiber quality while reducing manual labor and waste, per CNA. The system gives farmers a new income stream.

Developed in 2023, the machine represents a leap for Taiwan’s circular economy. It allows local farms to extract fibers on-site and sell them to textile and bioplastic manufacturers.

According to Green 1, the process uses a fully integrated workflow — from shredding to washing and drying — to maintain consistency. Each kilogram of extracted fiber can replace traditional petroleum-based materials in multiple industries.

The company said its technology was inspired by the Philippines’ traditional abaca fiber extraction but redesigned for automation and precision. Taiwan’s engineers optimized the system for local crops, which vary in moisture and fiber content.

Green 1’s factory in Kaohsiung has already begun small-batch production. It aims to expand to southern Taiwan’s agricultural regions, where pineapple cultivation produces massive amounts of leaf waste annually.

The company estimates that Taiwan discards more than 200,000 tons of pineapple leaves each year. Turning this biomass into industrial-grade fiber could reduce carbon emissions while creating rural job opportunities.

Beyond agriculture, the fibers have potential in biocomposites, eco-friendly packaging, and sustainable fashion. Local designers are testing samples for use in shoes, bags, and furniture.

Taiwan’s government has included natural fiber extraction in its “net-zero by 2050” roadmap, highlighting its dual benefits for carbon reduction and circular agriculture.

Founder Ba Chin-mao (巴錦楙) said he hopes the fiber extraction machine will be used by more companies. He added it can enhance supply chain integrity and create economic value, turning agricultural waste into gold.