 PTRI, in its quest to provide
environment-friendly textile products, is continuously
searching for advancement on its
natural dye technology for textile application. To date,
the technology was able to optimize the dye extraction and
application methods for 25 natural dye-yielding plants to
add to the 35 initially reported. Moreover, dye powder from
13 different plant sources produced using the spray drier
which are regularly being monitored and evaluated for their
dye performance and shelf-life. Two powders from talisay
and duhat have now undergone powder production optimization
for a more cost-effective, improved powder yielding and
quality.
Extensive natural dye technology
transfer activities were conducted in Catanduanes and Samar
last March 17-19, and March 23-26, 2004, respectively. A
similar technology transfer this time on fossilized leaves
was likewise undertaken in Cabarroguis, Quirino on August
17-19, 2004. The dye sources used were achuete, yellow
ginger, buko husk, mahogany, tamarind bark, malunggay leaves
which are common in the area and sapang wood which was
brought by the trainors. The achuete seeds imparted subtle
orange color, golden, lime and light yellow shades were
obtained from yellow ginger; sapang exhibited red maroon,
old rose, light pink and purple; buko husk yielded yellowish
brown; light yellow from malunggay leaves and mahogany and
tamarind bark imparted brown color.
In addition, a lecture on
natural dye utilization and production to further increase
awareness and promote the use of natural dyes to textile,
fiber/handicraft and other natural-based materials was
delivered during the DOST Road Show in Cebu City last March
31, 2004.
PTRI dye expert jointly with
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCARRD) counterpart went on
a 2-week trip to South Korea as participants to the
Experts Exchange on Natural Dyes and Handicrafts under the
Rural Development Administration (RDA)-PCARRD Workplan of
Cooperation. The purpose is to exchange knowledge and
skills on the new developments and status of natural dyes in
Korea and Philippines.
PTRI in collaboration with Aklan State University (ASU) and the Enterprise has
completed the six-month activities of the project entitled
"Development of Natural Dye Industry in Aklan", with output
attained as follows:
-
Verification of the color
yield of the identified natural dye sources in the area
using the established conditions of natural dye extraction
and application processes.
-
Conduct of an extensive
training and re-training of the hired technical staff of
the ASU and private investor/entrepreneur, respectively,
who will assist in the operation of the Common Service
Facility (CSF), on the same subject.
-
Inauguration of the
established CSF last January 15, 2004 with an enterprise
Sto. Niño Natural Dyeing and Allied Services (SNNDAS).
The CSF has already started its initial operation and has
accepted natural dyeing service request ranging from
dyeing of fibers, woven fabrics and its manufactures from
local clients.
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