ONWARD launched in push for non-woven textiles

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) will launch ONWARD: Philippine Non-woven Textile Innovation on July 1, at the SM North EDSA Annex Atrium, introducing non-woven textiles developed through specialized machines and facilities to advance sustainable, natural fiber–based alternatives to synthetic plastics across a wide range of applications.

The launch sets a new direction for the Philippine textile industry, expanding beyond traditional woven fabrics and positioning nonwovens as a scalable response to environmental and climate challenges. This direction responds to findings from the Center for International Environmental Law, which notes that plastic-related emissions occur across the entire product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal — the dependence that natural fiber–based nonwovens are designed to reduce.

“We have already established ourselves in woven materials and now we want to leverage sustainability and technical innovation, and nonwovens are the perfect fit,” said Julius Leaño Jr., director at DOST-PTRI. “The focus is on creating greater value, achieving larger-scale production and expanding applications beyond traditional woven products and apparel.”

Open to the public, the launch will feature an exhibition and expert discussions led by DOST-PTRI and its development partners, highlighting how agricultural resources such as banana pseudostems, pineapple leaves, bamboo, water hyacinth and other locally available materials can be engineered into high-performance non-woven products.

Non-woven textiles differ from conventional fabrics in that they are produced by directly bonding or interlocking fibers through mechanical, thermal, or chemical processes. This enables faster production, functional versatility and broader industrial applications. While often unnoticed, non-woven materials are widely used in-everyday products such as face masks, wipes, automotive interiors, footwear components, filtration systems, medical supplies and construction materials.