Growing manila hemp

Abaca or manila hemp Musa textilis is a member of the banana family. The leaf fibre makes an extremely strong pulp with a high tear and tensile strength.

Abaca is used for marine cordage, Japanese shoji screens, abrasive backing papers, and tea bags. It has potential for paper currency, Bibles, and cigarette papers. No fibre of equal strength and pliancy has been found.

Manila hemp is grown in the Philippines by small landholders. Its present drawbacks are low yield, high costs, and limited potential for a wider market as a low-end paper product.