The Philippine textile industry is re-inventing itself. At one time the country had huge, fully integrated textile mills that did everything –spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing. They produced and exported garments under a system that used quotas. Mills would have continuous production of one item giving them economy of scale and good profits.

But problems came into the industry with the advent of cheap textile imports, the abuse of quota system (entities with no mills had quotas allowing them to bring in raw materials, real mills had none) and with low prices combined with high wages, there was a general shutdown.

Textile mills have slowly come back to life using a different business plan. Now there is a healthy export of undergarments, sportswear and socks. The Philippines has an abundance of natural fibers like abaca, piña, bamboo and waterlily which are much in demand among textile users. With the use of nano technology that makes them softer, more pliable as well as resistant to water, fire, stains, static, even bacteria, they become unique textiles that are much in demand.

One innovation resulting in a new textile is called pinatex which is a natural fiber constructed from pineapple leaves. Piñatex is environmentally safe. It can be used for clothing, insulation, anti-bacterial material and even wound dressing for its breathable, natural characteristics.