The natural dye Common Service Facility (CSF) that had been built in Aklan State University's Banga campus in 2004 will get an infusion of new knowledge on natural dyeing through a project funded by the Korean government amounting to US$15,000 with local counterpart of US$2,500.

The project aims to reinforce and enhance the current capabilities of the existing CSF with the Korean natural dye technologies, natural dyed products and marketing approaches, in meeting the demands of the facility's clientele.

With the adaptation of these natural dye technologies, the color way of Philippine crafts can be expanded, thereby giving a wider range of colors for product designs, development and diversification. The other dye sources to be considered do not only mean utilization of other untapped dye sources but also acquire similar capabilities for their judicious utilization.

Natural dyes are expected to give an additional impact and premium to the native products being exported by making them eco-friendly and more compliant to the go natural market trend.

The natural dye common service facility has been established in 2004 by the Philippine Textile Research Institute through funding of DOST's Technology Incubation and Commercialization Program (TECHNICOM). The CSF is likewise being supported by an on-going DOST-GIA funded project on the establishment of a nursery and plantation of four prioritized natural dye sources namely: sibukao, indigo, achuete and yellow ginger with the supervision of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). This project ensures the sustainability of the raw material supply that will spell the continuity and profitability of the CSF operation.

(Malu A. Flores)