Fibers from natural materials can be turned into woven fabric and create a new Thai textile element.‘Water hyacinth’ is a floating weed whose reproduction property obstructed water transportation and drainage. The research was developed by gathering water hyacinth and transforming its fibers into woven fabric for creating more value-added in Thai textiles with eco-friendly and sustainable.
Mr. Naruepon Phaisarntantiwong, lecturer of the Faculty of Industrial Textiles and Fashion Design, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP), has developed his research of water hyacinth and transformed it into natural fiber. The beginning of his research started from the concept that we can find water hyacinths commonly in rivers and widespread in every region part of Thailand. The research of water hyacinth transformation has been developed for more than 10 years in various regions such as in the central part which is Ang Thong Province, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, and Chai Nat Province. The water hyacinth fiber transformation process can be made by giving knowledge and 100% fiber twisting to be a local product which can be both eco-friendly textiles and decorations.
‘Water hyacinth is a weed that can reproduce itself more than 1,500 tons in 10 days. So, we need to get rid of them because it’s quick reproduction which may cause more problems. We can bring water hyacinths transformed into natural fertilizer or develop their fiber to be used in textiles, handicrafts, cushioning, or sound absorption materials. If we twist water hyacinth fiber with cotton fiber, it will get more endurance, softness quality, and easily absorb natural colors from the dyeing process such as Indigo (blue color), Garcinia (yellow color), and Shellac (red color). Faculty of Industrial Textiles and Fashion Design, RMUTP, always concerned with creativity for daily application and maintenance international agencies were recognized water hyacinth property to be another alternative material like mulberry paper that can be used for bag production or add more gold braiding for shining and represent luxurious quality as same as ornaments or decorations by using sustainable eco-friendly materials.’
