The Philippine Fiber Industry and Development Authority (PhilFida) said 10 percent of the estimated local abaca output of 74,000 metric tons (MT) for this year would be used for making face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
PhilFida Executive Director Kennedy T. Costales said this is a huge jump since PPEs and face masks accounted for a mere 1 percent of the country’s abaca output prior to the health crisis.
“Abaca demand for production of PPE and face masks this year is huge. We estimate that it will be 10 percent of our total production which is quite huge as it was only less than 1 percent before the Covid-19 pandemic,” Costales told the BusinessMirror in a recent interview.
Costales said the demand for abaca fiber for medical use here and abroad rose as the crop is environmentally friendly. Abaca decomposes within two months compared to plastic, which could take years to decompose.
According to a Bloomberg report, abaca fiber is rapidly gaining popularity as governments and manufacturers all around the world scamper to produce more reusable and safe medical garments for health-care professionals.
A preliminary study by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology showed abaca paper to be more water resistant than a commercial N-95 mask, and to have pore sizes within the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended range to filter hazardous particles.
Costales also said abaca output this year could rise by 5.7 percent to 74,000 MT, from last year’s 70,000 MT due to favorable weather condition. Abaca production last year declined from 76,000 MT in 2018 as the mild El Niño stunted the growth of abaca plants.
“Output would be better this year as we have a more favorable weather condition. We hope we will continue to enjoy good weather as typhoons are detrimental to abaca farms.”
Costales added that abaca trading in the country was not affected by travel restrictions as most abaca farmers are in mountainous areas. Covid-19 and quarantine restrictions also did not affect abaca demand.
In fact, Costales said the country’s abaca output is 30,000 MT short of the 100,000 MT combined utilization capacity of the four local pulp mills.
The Philippines is the world’s largest producer of abaca as it accounts for about 85 percent of global production.