Large flowers of water lilies are a strong bloomerthroughout the season. This flower has a star like shape, sweet fragrance anddark green foliage. Water lilies are widely prevalent along the riversides andcreeks in every place. They are even considered as invasive aquatic pestsbecause of their ability to grow fast and cause water stagnation. Currently,fibres extracted from water lilies have newly entered the family of ecofriendly textiles.


Everyone these days are talking about eco friendly products.Textile industry has also become aware of this trend. A new feather in the capof eco friendly textiles is fabrics made from the lily fibres. The textileresearch institute from Philippines has come up with a new fibre developed fromwater hyacinth or water lily. After developing pineapple, abaca, and bananafibres, for manufacturing tropical fabrics, the institute has now developedwater lily as a new fibre source.


A machine is used for extracting fibres from water lily anddrying them. This will also speed up the process, and will also aid the localcraftsman in their livelihood. These fabrics are lightweight, easy to care for,and elegant in appearance. It is naturally glossy, and has a good texture.Fibres extracted from water lilies are used for making home textiles likecurtains, upholstery, table runners, napkins and many other handicrafts.Creative works like embroidery can be done on it. Tropical fibres have an edgebecause it is a high end product with upscale niche market, and good demand.


The Government of Philippines had been facing problems dueto sliding textile industry performance due to a tough competition from China,cheap fabrics imported from other countries local labor problems, andincreasing production costs. New process of manufacturing fabrics from waterlilies will help the Government to preserve the eco system an also provide aviable source of income to the local residents. Since water lilies are foundeverywhere, manufacturing these fibres would be an easy task.


Lily fibre fabrics will give a dressy holiday look, businessformal, and also for formal holiday parties. It will give a complete look, anddefine the style of the wearer, adding a tough to one's wardrobe.


Man has always been innovative. His creativeness has led tomany new inventions and discoveries. Apparel fabrics will be a better use forthe prolific water lilies. World textile industries had been devoid of newfabrics manufactured from natural fibres, and this is a great opportunity fortropical fibres from Philippines.


References:


  1. &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(1817)%>" target="_blank">http://www.aquariumplants.com
  2. &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(1817)%>" target="_blank">http://textileacross.blogspot.com
  3. &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(1817)%>" target="_blank">http://www.manilatimes.net