Sarfraz from Quetta receives Discover Natural Fiber Initiative Award at competition held during Heimtextil expo
A research project by Mohammad Sarfraz, a student of Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, has received global recognition. The young researcher from Quetta has won the Discover Natural Fiber Initiative (DNFI) Award for producing fibers from banana stems.
The award, which celebrates efforts to promote environmentally friendly fibers, was presented at the global research competition held during the Home Textile International Exhibition, Heimtextil, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Over 100 research institutions, companies and educational organizations from all over the world participated in the competition. Sarfraz’s achievement highlights the remarkable potential of Pakistan’s young minds and demonstrates the country’s growing presence in sustainable research.
After receiving the award, Sarfraz dedicated the recognition to his teachers and the talented youth of Balochistan. He shared with Express that he had spent four years researching the process of producing high-quality fiber from banana stems.
The project has garnered praise on various international platforms. However, Sarfraz is particularly proud of his project’s success compared to projects from European research institutions and developed countries.
Dr. Mohammad Qasim, Head of the Department of Textile Engineering at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, and supervisor of Sarfraz’s project, emphasized that the global recognition of the research proves that Balochistan’s youth possess capabilities at par with any other nation. He believes that with the right opportunities, Pakistan’s name can be highlighted on the global stage.
He said this project has three phases – extraction of natural fiber from banana waste, making composite and yarn and then making fabric or other products.
Mohammad Fawwad Supriya, director of Natural Fiber Company, which provided industrial support for the project, noted that the award is an honor for Pakistan.
He noted that European companies participating in Heimtextil have shown considerable interest in the project. There are plans to collaborate with a German company to manufacture and market products made from Pakistani banana waste fiber in Germany and other European countries, with a partnership agreement already in place.
Fawwad explained that the project will play a key role in reducing poverty and providing employment in the marginalized areas of Sindh and Balochistan, thereby improving the quality of life for the local communities. Fiber production from banana stalks has already begun in Sukkur and Lasbela, and the next phase will involve scaling up production to include 4,000 households. For this purpose, Sarfraz has designed specialized machines locally.
He further elaborated that the cost of a unit consisting of two machines would be between Rs700,000 and Rs800,000. This unit can produce up to 1,000 kg of fiber per hectares of banana waste. The fiber will then be used by skilled artisans in Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab to make handmade items and traditional products.
According to Fawwad, Pakistan has the potential to annually produce 500 million kg of natural fiber from banana waste with an estimated global market value of 1 billion. In addition, the production of fiber-based products can generate significant foreign exchange earnings for the country.
Pakistan is among the largest banana-producing countries, with millions of tons of banana waste generated each year, much of which is either burned or dumped into rivers, contributing to air and water pollution. This Balochistan student’s efforts not only promise to alleviate poverty and create economic benefits, but will also play a vital role in environmental conservation.
