Process

Ideation & sketches

Growing up in a rural area, I saw my sister and others struggle with the cost and lack of sanitary products. Fabricademy sparked my passion for textiles, leading me to explore sustainable materials like banana fibers. This project is about rethinking materials to solve real problems and create sustainable solutions.

Design & Fabrication

Step 1: Extracting and Processing Banana Fibers

Estimated Time: 1-2 days

1.1 Extraction of Banana Fibers

Materials Needed:

• Fresh banana pseudostems • Sharp knife or scraper • Water • Bucket or soaking tank

Process:

1. Harvest the Banana Pseudostems : Cut down banana stems (pseudostems) after harvesting bananas
2. Peel the Outer Layers: Remove the hard outer layers and extract the soft, inner layers.
3. Scraping Method: Use a knife or mechanical scraper to separate fibers manually.
4. Retting: Soak the fibers in water for 12-24 hours to loosen them naturally.
5. Drying: Air-dry the extracted fibers for 6-12 hours in shade to avoid weakening.

Step 2: Softening and Enhancing Absorbency of Banana Fibers

Estimated Time: 1-2 days

2.1 Chemical Treatment for Softening Fibers

Materials Needed:

• 5% NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) solution or eco-friendly alternative: baking soda solution
• Water
• Heating system
• Stirring rod
• Gloves & safety glasses

Process:

1. Prepare a 5% NaOH Solution – Mix 50g of NaOH in 1 liter of warm water.

2. Soak Fibers – Submerge the banana fibers in the solution for 4-6 hours to break down lignin and improve softness.

3. Rinse & Neutralize – Wash thoroughly with clean water and soak in 2% acetic acid (vinegar) for 30 minutes to neutralize excess alkali.

4. Drying – Air-dry fibers for 12 hours in shade.

2.2 Bleaching (Optional, for Lighter Fibers & Better Absorption) Materials Needed:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) or eco-friendly bleaching agents (lemon juice + sunlight)
• Water

• Bucket Process:

• Soak Fibers in 3% H₂O₂ for 4-6 hours to lighten the color.

• Rinse & Dry – Wash with water and dry in indirect sunlight for 8-10 hours.

Step 3: Enhancing Absorption for Menstrual Blood Estimated Time: 2-3 days

3.1 Superabsorbent Treatment Materials Needed:

• Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) or Agar Gel
• Distilled water
• Heating system

Process:

1. Prepare Gel Solution – Dissolve 2-5g of CMC or agar in 100mL of warm water until it forms a gel.

2. Coat Fibers – Soak banana fibers in the gel for 4-6 hours to improve absorption.

3. Dry & Test Absorbency – Air-dry fibers for 12-24 hours, then test by dropping simulated menstrual fluid on them.

Alternative Absorbent Boosters: You can also add biodegradable hydrogel made from aloe vera, alginate, or pectin.

Step 4: Assembling the Biodegradable Sanitary Pad

Estimated Time: 1 day

4.1 Layering the Pad Structure

A typical sanitary pad has three layers:

1. Top Layer (Comfort Layer) – Fluid Transfer

Materials: Organic cotton & banana fiber textile

Process: Cut fabric into rectangular or oval shapes (20cm x 8cm). Ensure it’s breathable and allows fluid to pass through easily.

1. Core Layer (Absorbent Layer) – Banana Fiber Core

Materials: Processed banana fibers from Step 3, extra cellulose fibers (optional for boosting absorption)

Process: Stack 2-4 layers of banana fiber for absorption. Press and shape fibers to match the top layer dimensions

1. Bottom Layer (Leak-Proof Layer) – Eco-Friendly Barrier

Materials: Cornstarch bioplastic, wax-coated paper, or biodegradable polymer sheet Process: Cut a waterproof layer slightly larger than the absorbent core. Attach it using an eco-friendly adhesive or heat pressing.

Step 5: Testing & Quality Assurance

Estimated Time: 2 days

5.1 Absorption Rate Test

Materials:

• Simulated menstrual blood (saline mixed with gelatin or blood analog)

• Dropper

#### Process:

1. Drop 5mL of simulated blood onto the pad every 30 seconds.

2. Measure how much liquid the core retains without leaking.

3. Compare to commercial pads.

5.2 Leakage Test

Process:

1. Place a 10mL soaked pad on a flat surface with paper underneath.

2. Observe after 5 minutes if there is any leakage.

This step was crucial as I worked on extracting, processing, and enhancing banana fibers to improve their softness and absorption. After assembling the biodegradable sanitary pad by layering the materials, I began testing its performance, refining the design with each prototype

Prototypes

The design prioritizes comfort, absorbency, and eco-friendliness, using soft fabric layers for skin contact and enhanced absorption. The stitching secures the structure, while the wings provide additional protection and fastening support. The red liquid simulation demonstrates its absorption capacity. This prototype explores alternative solutions for menstrual hygiene with a focus on sustainable and accessible materials.

FABRICATION FILES

MOLD PIECE I MOLD PIECE II INAL MOLD STL

Mentoring notes

Mentors in all sessions may share with you their comments, notes, advise, projects and technical equipment to check out. This is good place to share those, so that you can find them later on when you need them the most!

NAME	FEEDBACKS
CECILIA	I think this is a very important action you want to take! i think keeping it basic and truly usable will be the biggest challenge, but locally if you can count on others, i think you will be able to achieve it
OSCAR	Focus on the production from the beginning so the prototypes are ready for the market as soon as possible.
RICO	Irakiza...the work you will pursue is so very important. Thank you for taking on the challenge. Looking forward to hearing about how you will execute on this.
CLAUDIA	https://al-ma.org/About // https://period.co/products/the-reusable-pad-5-piece-bundle?srsltid=AfmBOop_-bPrdImf-gNlj_-rIL9BKt_ueZ6rsTgSP2FKHLrP3i1qlSyD
NURIA	Hi Fiston,It’s great that you want to help the women in your country by finding an affordable and sustainable alternative for menstrual pads, so they can benefit from it.I can’t yet figure out how thermochromic ink could be applied to this project, but we could explore how to create an initial prototype that can be manufactured sustainably.