D&L Polymer and Colours Inc. (DLPC), a unit of listed D&L Industries, has developed 100 percent abaca pellets that can be used as an alternative to plastic in products such as furniture and household items.
The innovation marks DLPC’s move from pilot work to commercial scale, building on earlier efforts to mix natural fibers into plastics. The company has begun introducing the abaca pellets to potential customers in the Philippines and across Asia for testing.
The pellet form allows abaca fibers to be used in existing manufacturing processes without major changes, making it easier for manufacturers to adopt more sustainable materials. Abaca, which is widely grown in the Philippines—especially in the Bicol region—is known as the strongest natural fiber in the world.
DLPC said the same technology can also be applied to other local fibers such as pineapple, bakong, and vetiver, expanding opportunities for bio-based materials.
Products made with natural fiber composites can be used in consumer goods, construction, automotive parts, and other industrial applications. At end of life, these products can be recycled and, depending on formulation, may also be compostable.
Current formulations allow natural fibers to replace up to 40 percent of virgin plastic, with the potential to increase this over time. DLPC said a plastic manufacturer is expected to launch a product using the abaca pellet technology in the coming months.
The company said the breakthrough could help reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics while improving strength, durability, and weight efficiency, supporting broader sustainability goals.
