Banana canvas is the world’s first durable, waterproof fabric made purely from banana plants. Cultivated in the Philippines within a natural ecosystem of sustainable forestry, the plant requires no chemical treatments.

Its self-sufficiency has made it an important contributor to reforestation of areas once eroded by palm plantations, whilst enhancing the prosperity of local farmers.

Three years of research and development resulted in a new material that answers questions of environmental, economic and social sustainability. As an open-source project banana canvas offers a viable alternative to the synthetic fabrics that the majority of bags are made of today. Behind the development of banana canvas is a collaboration of Swiss bag brand and QWSTION, a Taiwanese yarn specialist and QWSTION’s weaving partner based in Taipei, Taiwan. These three parties partnered up to engage in the intense development and production process behind the new fabric, united by the drive to make a positive impact on the planet’s future.