DYEING THE NATURAL WAY
PTRI Release, November 11, 2004

Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director Carlos C. Tomboc announced they have identified 65 plants that are good sources of natural dye. These plants could be found all over the country.  This agency under the Department of Science and Technology that have been doing research on natural dyes was also able to produce the powdered form of these dyes.  PTRI has now 21 of these powdered natural dyes in its laboratory. 

This developed technology of PTRI is an environment friendly process that includes extraction of dyes from indigenous plant sources  and their application to natural  fibers, yarn and fabrics. This is an upgraded technology that involves systematic and scientific method of extraction and textile application compared to the traditional ethnic approach of boiling together the dye source and materials to be dyed, which are then left overnight or for days in clay pots or basins until the desired color had been achieved.  PTRI technology uses exact measurements in the extraction and application of natural dyes in relation to the weight of materials. 

The whole process takes only three hours, while the traditional dyeing takes 15 days.

Dr. Tomboc further adds that the dye powders that have been produced using the spray drier are being regularly monitored and evaluated for their dyeing performance and shelf life.  He said that continued efforts by PTRI in looking for the best way of producing better quality  powdered dyes in a less costly manner, is being done on talisay, duhat, indigo, yellow ginger, and achuete.

At the same time, the scientific way of extraction and application of natural dye is being taught to micro, cottage, and small entrepreneurs. Two training courses were provided in Catanduanes and Samar, using the liquid dye extract on abaca (Catanduanes) and tikog (Samar).  A similar activity was also made on fossilized leaves for the flower makers of Cabarroguis, Quirino.  The dye sources used were achuete, yellow ginger, buko husks, malunggay leaves and tamarind bark. 

Meanwhile, the Ayala Foundation, Inc. has published the PTRI compendium of Philippine dye yielding plants and their textile application titled GAMPOL. A handy book that describes how to extract and apply natural dyes on textiles, it includes descriptions of the first 35 identified dye-yielding plants found common in the northern Luzon area. (Malu A. Flores, PTRI Media Service)