Kenaf is a commodity to substitute tobacco. It has long bast bundle fibres facing difficulties to process into short fibre like oil palm fibre in pulp & paper industry and furniture industry. Therefore the innovation of transforming of kenaf into textile is crucial to fiiling the gap of fibre demand in the market for load bearing high value added applications

The solution lies in transforming kenaf into a textile-grade material, addressing the challenge of processing its long bast bundle fibres into shorter fibres suitable for high-value applications. By innovating processing technologies, kenaf can be effectively utilised in the textile, pulp and paper, and furniture industries—bridging the current fibre demand gap. As a sustainable alternative to conventional textiles and a potential substitute for tobacco as a commodity crop, kenaf offers eco-friendly advantages and has already shown promise in applications such as safety boat materials.

The innovation involves developing advanced processing techniques to convert kenaf’s naturally long bast bundle fibres into shorter, more manageable fibres suitable for textile production. This transformation enables kenaf to be used in high-value, load-bearing applications, such as in the furniture and pulp and paper industries, where it previously faced limitations. Additionally, repurposing kenaf—a commodity traditionally used as a tobacco substitute—into sustainable textile material represents a novel approach to addressing fibre shortages while supporting eco-friendly and industrial applications.