Sustainable packaging

The current problem we are solving currently is lack of sustainable packaging, the available packaging is from plastic and wood-based alternative making them not sustainable.  The available biodegradable packaging is imported making them expensive and unavailable to most of the users. For every ton of banana produced, four times biomass is normally created. This biomass is in most cases dumped on the road due to lack of awareness and waste management technology.

At the same time the wood- based packaging contributes a lot towards deforestation and the global warming. Statistically nearly 200,000 trees are normally cut down for the purpose of making paper.

Environment-friendly packaging solutions using banana waste biomass, reducing the environmental impact of the paper and packaging industry and improving respiratory health outcomes. For every ton of paper produced we save 17 trees from being cut and reduce GHC emission through the waste. 

The sustainable packaging we do produce are biodegradable, UV and light resistant, high tensile strength and chemical free.

According to the UN COP26 thematic goals of innovation in agriculture, one of the aims is to increase investment in agricultural research and innovation to create more climate-resilient, low-emission technologies and practices . The company is already ahead of the curve is applying innovative, nature-based solutions; by specializing in the production of alternative green packaging manufactured purely from banana fibre. The materials are sourced locally actively reducing the carbon foot print while creating local jobs. The company is based in the rural parts of Kenya where bananas are majorly grown. Majority of the population is Women who are underserved. The company has been able to create much jobs both indirectly and directly.  The farmers are able to get an extra income from the sell of banana waste after the harvest of the fruit thus improving their livelihood.

 These bags are mainly sold in three sizes; small, medium and big. The small bags are intended for food vendors while the medium and big ones are for retail purposes in beauty shops and boutiques. The bags can be customized as well based on customer requirements.

The company also has a secondary product which is liquid fertilizer. The percentage contribution to the bottom line and the market opportunity is still being researched.

I was born and raised  close to the famous paper production industry which used to produce paper from trees.  Seeing the environmental pollution and deforestation  happening in the area I was inspired to come up with an alternative way of making paper and banana waste was the most sustainable  after the research.

Rose Sikulu, the co-founder of the company has a Bachelor of Education in Chemistry and Mathematics from Kenyatta University. She has also been in business since childhood, and therefore, has a wealth of business experience including running a family poultry business from which she raised the starting capital for Fibertext green paper Ltd. Additionally, she has attended a 6 month E4Impact accelerator program dubbed O-farms, Adelphi which focused on agri- circularity and business training. She has as well participated in Tony Elumelu training and Jamii Femmes training online.  

The team is made up of entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists and environmentalist who are working together to achieve the goal.

The solution is pilothe solution has been launched here in Kenya but is still iterating on design or business model.

We are on the market and we have over 300 customers and  currently working with 3000 farmers in Kenya

We have been able to complete the round one of fundraising.

Been able to win several award including presidential award, circular economy award and YALI award.

Networking

Market for our products.

The world-first technology developed by Fibertext encourages a circular economy by generating a useful product from waste materials that would otherwise have a detrimental impact on climate change and the state of our environment.

Because of the Fibertext patented method, creating and supplying environmentally friendly substitutes for fiber and plastics derived from forests is not only our mission statement or vision; it is the foundation of our global business operations. This environmentally friendly alternative to wood pulping for moulding operations that use banana fiber can either complement or completely replace it. By utilizing the agricultural waste from plantations, methane generation is greatly decreased, and as a result, we are improving the future by:

converting current agricultural waste into usable items

Using and discarding plastic less

Cut down on deforestation

Our ground-breaking technology was created to combat environmental deterioration, promote sustainability, and foster social and economic opportunities locally.

The Fibertext technology is intended to process the underutilized, environmentally hazardous waste from banana plantations in an energy-efficient manner without the need for chemicals or water.

The Fibertext industries are supported by the local banana plantation growers since it helps to remove their agricultural waste:

The farmers avoid the ordinarily difficult task of disposing of their agricultural trash.

As the trunk of a banana tree breaks down, methane and other greenhouse gasses are released. With our technique, this leak is reduced, resulting in no waste or contamination.

Local plantations provide an ample and sustainable supply, and employment are created to supply the materials to our companies and in the final product.

Gender Equality

Key indicators: 80% is owned by women

                       Majority of top managers  at enterprise are women

                        70%of employees are women

                        Majority of the suppliers are women because women are                                 based in rural areas.

Reducing of Ghc gases -- Banana produces four times biomass, if the biomass is not well taken care of, it emits ghc gas so through 

Reduce deforestation-- For every ton of biodegradable packaging we do produce, 17 mature trees are saved.

Fibertext is the developer of a world-first, sustainable technology that converts banana plantation waste into fiber and biodegradable packaging products.

5 full time staff

7-part time staff

3 years

Fibertext targets to empower & promote the social, economic $ political inclusion for all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or other status.

 80% of Fibertext is owned by women and majority of top management are women.

Fibertext is based in rural part of Kenya which is majorly populated by women who grow bananas.

Fibertext green paper limited is committed to making a significant contribution to environmental initiatives. The business does this through the production of alternative sustainable packaging, with banana fiber being the basic raw material. Through this the company makes an active contribution to the conservation of natural resources and applies circular economy principles to minimize waste. Like many green businesses which are often local businesses, the company sources and supplies goods and services within the local community. Therefore, Fibertext Enterprises Ltd creates supplementary income for local, small scale farmers as well as jobs for those working in the supply chain.  This proximity further amplifies the reduction of their carbon emissions while still supporting the surrounding community. Currently, fibertext has 7 employees.

These bags are mainly sold in three sizes; small, medium and big. The small bags are intended for food vendors while the medium and big ones are for retail purposes in beauty shops and boutiques. The bags can be customized as well based on customer requirements.

Environmental impact

Fibertext addresses environmental impact through reducing the cut down of trees. For every tone of green paper produced 17 trees are saved.

Reduction of waste. Bananas are loved by almost each and every one but for every tone of the banana produced, four times biomass is normally created. If this is not well managed, methane gas is released which is one of the greenhouse gases.

Reduction of the use of plastic

Plastic packaging is normally used for packaging due to lack of alternative packaging.  The plastic is non-biodegradable therefore end up in landfill.

Social Impact

Youth inclusion

Diversity inclusion 

Direct jobs.

Economic impact

Local farmers are able to sell banana waste for an extra income.

Direct employment for company employees and indirect for banana growers.

Sell of the biodegradable packaging 

We sell our biodegradable packaging to customers such as cosmetics, restaurants, beauty shops and souvenirs.

We have been able to raise funds through awards such as presidential innovation award $5000, circular economy  award $5000 and Yali award$ 10,000 which we used for purchasing machines.