Sustainable Textiles from Agro-Waste: Development and Performance Evaluation of Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) Blended Yarns and 100% Cotton

Rising global demand for sustainable textiles is driving attention toward innovative natural fibers, among which Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) stands out for its exceptional tensile strength, natural luster, and complete biodegradability. In Bangladesh, where the spinning sector remains heavily reliant on costly cotton imports, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) presents a locally available, environmentally sustainable alternative with the potential to reduce import dependence, optimize the utilization of indigenous resources, and convert agricultural waste into value-added products. Pineapple cultivation produces abundant 3-ft leaves, often discarded or used as low-value fodder despite their strong fiber potential. This study evaluates PALF–cotton and PALF–polyester yarns, produced via conventional ring spinning, against 20 Ne 100% cotton, assessing key Uster® parameters including unevenness, CVm%, hairiness, defects, and elongation. The 100% cotton yarn demonstrated the highest uniformity (U% = 8.63) and minimal defect incidence, while blends particularly cotton–PALF exhibited greater irregularities (U% = 12.24). Nevertheless, elongation properties improved markedly in blends (8.53% for cotton–PALF; 9.66% for polyester–PALF vs. 5.83% for cotton) with hairiness maintained within acceptable thresholds. The results, analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) using the SU1510 model from Japan, underscored PALF’s strategic role in enabling zero-waste manufacturing, upcycling agricultural residues into premium textile products, and advancing Bangladesh’s fiber independence under a sustainable production model.