Scientists make remarkable breakthrough with bananas
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Loading... - Omkar Gera
- 30 Sep 2024
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Scientists from Northumbria University, in collaboration with partners from Pakistan, have achieved a remarkable breakthrough by converting banana waste into both eco-friendly textiles and renewable energy. This innovative technology offers a sustainable solution to managing the 80 million tons of banana waste produced annually in Pakistan.
The process works in two stages: first, banana leftovers are transformed into textile fibers, and then the remaining waste is converted into clean energy. This approach addresses both environmental and energy challenges, particularly in rural Pakistan, where many communities still depend on polluting fuels for electricity.
Dr. Jibran Khaliq, one of the project leaders, highlights the significance of this innovation for Pakistan’s textile industry, which has historically been a major contributor to pollution. By leveraging banana waste, the project not only reduces harmful emissions and water pollution but also creates biofertilizers, improving soil health and boosting agricultural productivity.
The potential impact is immense, with scientists estimating that Pakistan's banana waste could generate 57,488 million cubic meters of syngas, a clean fuel for electricity. This could provide sustainable power to vast rural areas.
Dubbed SAFER (Sustainable Access to Fuel and Energy in Rural areas), the project has received £300,000 in funding from Innovate UK to further develop this technology. Dr. Muhammad Saghir, another key figure in the initiative, lauds the synergy between eco-friendly practices and technological advancements, which not only benefit the environment but also create local jobs and contribute to the UK’s net-zero agenda.
