Banana Fiber Paper Manufacturing and Utilization

Banana Fiber Paper Manufacturing Process:

Learn how to make banana fiber paper step by step and its craft products made by me with images. There is no need for a banana fiber extraction machine. The process reduces the cost and helps to sustain the paper industry. So Ready to make paper at home.

Banana fiber paper 

Banana paper making (steps by step) 

• Banana bark fibers cut into pieces of 1-2 inches.
• The pieces cooked for around 2 hours.
• Washed the cooked fiber with water.
• Convert into a pulp with a help of mixer or mechanized beater.
• The pulp is mix with some water in a small horizontal tank or bucket.
• Make a mold of a wooden frame ( you will also use a wooden photo frame) covered with nylon cloth. for more production, you will use an industrial automated process.
• A sheet of pulp is formed over a mold by pouring it into a small tank or bucket containing pulp.
• Keep it in the sun to dry.
• A pile of dry banana paper sheets.
• The dried sheets are rolled between two rollers for smoothness and then cut into a required.

                                                 

Download banana paper making process pdf

Banana Fiber Paper-plastic alternatives

The Banana Paper manufacturing process is simple and uses negligible chemicals compared to traditional paper making by trees and other things.

Also, the industrial method of paper making is highly polluting, which uses gallons of water and chemicals to form pulp to produces paper. So we find out an alternative to plastic and traditional paper that is Banana Paper.

Now day Global warming is a major problem. We have to stop global warming and also, reverse the effect, so we need to stop the use of non-renewable, non-degradable materials. But this is not the final solution; the use of renewable, bio-degradable, and natural material is the best way such as Banana Fiber Paper. 

The water level is decreases day by day, excess use of water is only one reason behind that. But the main reason is the layer of plastic which prevents the percolation of water. The tons of plastic are dump daily which is non degradable and forms the layer. 

 

banana-fiber-tissue-paper 

Banana Fiber as an alternative paper

In the whole world tons of banana, the stem is thrown away as an agricultural west every year. The banana stem fiber is the best alternative to replace plastic and paper.

Banana Tree Bark

The yearly banana stem waste will be increased as a result of banana growth plantation. There is a need to convert this waste into wealth by extracting the fibers from the banana stem. 

The banana stem fiber extraction process is done by manual as well as mechanical. The manual process produces a very low quantity whereas the mechanical process is a fast process done with a banana fiber extraction machine. 

Banana fiber extraction machine cost.

A simple fiber extraction machine is available in the market which costs INR 60000 to 180000, but if you are some mechanical engineering knowledge then you will make it to a workshop at a very low cost that is less than INR 40000. 

The unskilled worker can also operate this fiber extraction machine. The banana stem contains 90 to 95 % of water which is after removal known as sap water. This sap water is full of nutrition and used as liquid fertilizer. 
Banana fiber pulp

The natural fibers are the chemical composition of cellulose and lignin. Lignin binds the fibers to cellulose Alkaline treatment which is followed by the pulp and paper industries used for the release of fibers. 

In this process, lignin can be dissolved in NaOH solution and the cellulosic fibers can be extracted. 
The amount of banana paper produce is different for extracted banana fiber and waste banana fiber. 

After extraction of fiber from the banana stem the remaining west is used for vermicompost. The fiber produced will be used for paper making. 

Banana Paper Industry-Handmade Unit

The banana paper industry has become more popular because of its eco-friendly nature and has a significant impact on the growing forest and preserving the greenery. Water and air pollution are also negligible. 

The export of handmade banana paper is increased in multiples with the growing awareness in developed and developing countries. In recent years a handful number of handmade banana paper manufacturers become cent percent export-oriented units. 

These units are exporting handmade banana paper & its products to several countries. The demand for banana handmade paper is increasing day by day in the domestic as well as in the international market.

Various varieties of Banana are cultivated in India. The banana tree is cut down as soon as fruits are harvested for the extraction of fiber. Banana fiber has great potentialities for paper making because of its high alpha-cellulose and low lignin content. 

• 1. It is a market not yet exploited to its full potential. 
  2. The market is demanding green products. 
  3. There is an ever-growing need for environmental awareness. 
  4. There is more demand in developed countries. 
  5. Less competition from similar products 

India is the world's largest banana producer with an annual production of 24.8 million tonnes. It accounts for 13% of the total area under production and 33% of the production of fruits. Production is highest in Maharashtra (3924.1 a thousand tonnes) followed by Tamil Nadu (3543.8 thousand tonnes). Within India, Maharashtra has the highest productivity of 65.70 metric tonnes /ha. against a national average of 30.5 tonnes/ha. 

Banana fiber uses (properties)

• Banana fibers have great potentialities for papermaking because of their high alpha-cellulose and lignin content.
• These fibers have excellent tensile strength, they are strong fibers.
• They have low elongation and lightweight.
• They possess strong moisture absorption quality. It absorbs as well as releases moisture very fast.
• They are biodegradable and have no negative effect on the environment hence categorized eco-friendly fiber.
• Banana fibers also possess fire resistance properties.
• Banana fiber has a great texture for paper making special demand for handmade paper.
• It is used for rope, mats, and other composite materials.
• Banana fiber has recognized for apparel made by joining filaments together by weavers knot. However, spun banana yarns are still in the research phase.
• Polypropylene reinforced with banana, fiber is used by automobile companies for making underfloor protection panels in luxurious cars like Mercedes.
• The composite material of the banana fiber used in building boards and fire resistance boards.
• Banana fiber is suitable for use as a growing medium in hydroponics. Also, cooling pads, roofing sheets, and bricks are made with Banana fiber.
• The banana fiber extraction by-products such as sap water and pith are also used in farming. Sap water is used as fertilizer while pith is used for vermicompost which helps to increase the beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
• Pots and pellets are also made with pith and used as growth base material for plants.
• Most of the recycled Paper is using tree-fibers or recycled fibers. Trees are still cut to make the most recycled paper. Banana fiber paper is the only way to stop tree cutting and most appropriately utilizing sustainable resources.

Banana-paper

 Banana Paper uses:-

• Banana Paper is used for disposable dishes, paper cups, disposable glass and even it is best to carry bag making.
• Paper is also used for gents and ladies' wallets.
• It is used for making handicrafts and home decor.
• In various regions, banana paper is also used for artistic purposes also.
• The banana paper is used for currency notes in Germany and a trial run in India also.
• During the research, it was found that banana paper made out of banana bark has a shelf life of over 100 years as it is the strongest of the long fibers ever found amidst natural fibers.
• It can be folded for as many as 3,000 times. It can use currency and value-able documents.
• Designers used banana paper for printing business cards and greeting cards, beautiful visiting cards, wedding cards.
• The banana paper also used for making gift boxes, notebook covers, drawing paper.
• Banana paper is best for sanitary towels.
• The artesian uses Banana paper as an art paper alternative.
• Also, banana paper is used for filter paper, pen stands, photo frames, lampshades, and many more.
• This paper is used for the purpose of writing.
• Plastic is often used as wrapping material but is environmentally harmful. The banana paper can effectively replace plastic.
• This Banana paper can be used to store food and to serve foodstuffs.
• It can be used for various handicrafts and arts such as Origami.

I made a banana paper from the banana bark at my home, with very less equipment. the banana paper made by me is of good quality and will be of better quality if made by the industrial process. 

Banana Fiber Paper Craft made by me

Banana Paper lamp-shade

Banana Paper lampshade

Banana Paper gents Wallet 

Banana paper wallet

Banana paper wallet

Banana Paper Wallet

Banana Paper ladies Wallet 

Banana paper wallet

Banana Paper Box

Banana paper box

 Banana Paper Bag

Handmade banana paper bag

Banana Paper Bag

Banana fiber has its own natural color so the paper is not clear white but it is half white. It is possible to make it clear white but we need to add chemicals in the process. The thickness of the banana fiber paper is maintained as per requirement. I make banana paper in various thicknesses ( 60 GSM to 200 GSM) like tissue paper to the card sheet.