Abacá, from Spanish "abacá" (pronounced [ɑbəˈkɑ]] "ah buh KAH"), or Musa textilis, is
a species of banana native to the Philippines, grown widely as well in Borneo and
Sumatra. It is sometimes referred to as "BacBac". The plant is of great economic
importance, being harvested for its fibre, once generally called Manila hemp, extracted
from the large, oblong leaves and stems. On average, the plant grows about 20 feet (6
meters) tall. The fibre is used for making twines and ropes as well as the Manila
envelope. It is classified as a hard fibre, along with coir, henequin and sisal. The plant's
name is sometimes spelt Abaká.
Abacá was first cultivated on a large scale in Sumatra in 1925 under the Dutch, who had
observed its cultivation in the Philippines for cordage since the 1800s, followed up by
plantings in Central America sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture[1].
Commercial planting began in 1930 in British North Borneo; with the commencement of
WWII, the supply from the Philippines was eliminated by the Japanese[1].
Other common names for abaca or Manila hemp include "Cebu hemp" and "Davao
hemp".
Scientific classification
The abacá plant belongs to the banana family, Musaceae; it resembles its closely related
cousin plant, the Musa sapientum. Its scientific name is Musa textilis.
Abaca is indigenous to the Philippines.
Abaca fibers were already being woven into breathable fabrics and made
into sturdy sandals in different parts of the Philippines long before the
Spaniards came to the Philippines in 1521. The abaca is believed to have
evolved in the Bicol region of the Philippines.
Volcanic area like the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur in the Bicol
Region are suited for abaca cultivation. The Philippines' tropical climate,
rich volcanic soils and high to moderate rain fall are particularly appropriate
to the growing of the abaca plant.
In 1820, a US Navy lieutenant brought abaca fiber samples to the United
States. Soon after, an export shipment of abaca was made to Salem,
Massachusetts under the product name of simply "Manila", since the
Philippines was then more known by the name of its capital city, Manila.
After the opening of the port of Manila in 1834, the Americans became the
largest importer of abaca. The American navy used abaca rope because it
had a remarkable tensile strength as it was more resistant to salt water
decomposition than most vegetable fibers. In fact, it was and still is the
strongest of all natural fibers. These qualities were appreciated by other
foreign shipping companies as well.
Up to the late 19th century, there were 12 different varieties of abaca.
Each variety has its certain advantageous qualities, depending on its use.
Prior to 1915, there was not a definitive standard for grading the Philippine
abaca fibers. Standards were introduced in that year and have since been
amended several times principally in 1927 and in 1975.
Originally, commercial production of the abaca fiber was confined to the
Philippines because abaca is a plant material that is government regulated.
In about 1521, shipments of abaca root stocks were introduced into many
different tropical countries, including fairly large plantings in Sumatra,
Indonesia, in India, Andaman Islands, the West Indies and Central
America. Small abaca plantings were also made in Borneo.
By 1925, the US Department of Agriculture officials attempted to grow
abaca in the Central American countries of Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala,
and the Honduras by sending a shipment of propagating material of the
superior varieties of abaca to said countries. Yet despite some experimental
planting and efforts to expand the industry in 1931, 1939 and 1942 in
several other central American countries, it remained relatively
insignificant. It was only at the end of World War that a Japanese named
Furukawa was successful in cultivating abaca elsewhere, in Ecuador.
While other plant materials like seeds and flowers are freely shared among
countries. particularly among research centers, the abaca plant is a
restricted material and government regulated. Thus, if a country other than
the Philippines claims to grow abaca, DNA testing will always trace its
origin to the Philippines.
ABACA FIBER
Abaca-Fibers
The abaca fibers are used in the production of handicraft products such as
fashion accessories, decorative accessories, furniture, garments, textile,
packaging materials, table-top accessories, playthings for pets, sports
paraphernalia.
Abaca fibers are also used in sinamay weaving. Sinamay is of less
gossamer tissue, but almost transparent and far more durable than the
fabrics made from pineapple fiber. Sinamay materials are used in making
gift boxes; packaging materials, decorative accessories, wall covering;
draperies, fashion accessories, footwear; tabletop accessories andmore
Abaca fibers are also used in pulp -making which are used as raw
material in the production of currency and bank notes , tea bags, coffee
filters, meat casings, coating for pills, surgical caps and masks, high
capacitor papers, cable insulation papers, Bibile paper, restoration and
conservation of historical documents, adhesive tape paper, lens tissue,
carbonizing tissue, abrasive base paper, mimeograph stencil base paper,
weather-proof bristol , maps, charts, as a strengthening material for
napkins and tissue paper; insulation for computer chips, etc.
Abaca fibers also have several medical and industrial applications: such as
for ortophedic materials (joint replacements and fracture healing implants);
as material composites to replace glass fibers in the manufacturing of
cars,planes, yachts. For building materials such as fiberboards, ceramic
tiles, wall facades, plumbing fixtures, reinforced concrete and roofing,
caulking, flooring, electricity poles, in the production of sporting goods,
telephones , cleaners and paints and more.
