Environmental performance of bamboo textile fiber production and its socio-economic implications

Date

12-2025

Abstract

This study assessed the sustainability performance of bamboo-derived textile materials through the establishment of a comprehensive life cycle inventory integrating environmental, socio-economic, and policy dimensions. Focusing on the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) and the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (Realino) in Isabela, the research evaluated the environmental trade-offs, technological efficiency, and institutional mechanisms supporting the deployment of bamboo textile technology in the Philippines.

The life cycle impact assessment revealed that bamboo textile fiber production offers advantages in land and water use compared with commercial textile fibers owing to bamboo's natural growth in non-converted, chemical-free forests. However, processing stages, particularly degumming, woolenization, bleaching, and softening, were identified as environmental hotspots due to high electricity demand and sodium hydroxide consumption, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, fossil resource depletion, and potential human toxicity.

Beyond environmental metrics, the study found that BTFIH and RYPIC foster inclusive local development by transforming raw kawayang tinik into spinnable textile fibers and yarns that generate employment, supporting women-led weaving enterprise, and strengthen research and training linkages with the provincial Academic community. These socio- economic benefits are reinforced by supporting policy environment anchored on Executive Order No. 879 and Republic Acts 9242, 11960, 11981, and 12024, which collectively ensure raw material security, promote natural fiber utilization, and create markets through government procurement and defense applications

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Patricia Ann J. Sanchez

Committee Member

Janice B. Sevilla-Nastor

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BAMBOOS; TEXTILE FIBRES; FIBRE QUALITY; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT; SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS