By Reina Rose B. Realino / Technology Transfer Information and Promotion Staff
THE local textile industry in Northern Luzon is poised to take a big leap towards development as the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), Isabela State University – Ilagan Campus (ISU), DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD), DOST Region II, City of Ilagan, and the Province of Isabela, joined hands and launched the first Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center or RYPIC in Luzon at the ISU Ilagan Campus in Ilagan, Isabela.
The inauguration, held last June 23, signals a new hope to revitalize its local textile industry.
The RYPIC Isabela is a micro-scale yarn-spinning facility that will aid in developing the textile industry in Northern Luzon. The facility can produce 50 kgs of yarns per day (8h), translating to 270m of handloom woven (with 1m width). One RYPIC can manufacture 13,200 kgs of yarn annually, making 36,000 m of 60-inch width fabrics for 24,000 pieces of a female blouse or 18,000 office Barong.
The RYPIC was established through the “DOST Inclusive Innovation Textiles Empowering Lives Anew or i2TELA Program” under the DOST-GIA. The establishment of the first RYPIC in ISAT-U Campus in Miagao, Iloilo in Western Visayas in 2019 paved the way for the regional perspective to textile production true to the concept of the i2TELA Program, with the enabling technology in the conversion of natural textile fibers available in Region VI into spinnable fibers and spun yarns aimed to provide material requirements of handloom weaving communities.
The Philippines boasts of its abundance of abaca, pineapple, banana, and bamboo, which are textile fibers as sources of raw materials. Abaca and pineapple leaf fibers in the country are the most readily available for succeeding conversion into textiles. In Cagayan Valley/Region II, bamboo, banana, and pineapple are accessible for textile production. Similarly, nearby regions such as CAR and Region I are viable sources of natural textile fibers.
The RYPIC Isabela will focus on the spun yarn production of cotton-bamboo and other Natural Textile Fiber (NTF) blended yarns. Unlike the RYPIC Iloilo, which has integrated fiber treatment and yarn spinning facilities, the treatment of bamboo textile fiber and other NTFs will be handled by the Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) Apayao and Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) Isabela, which for this purpose will supply the fiber requirements of RYPIC Isabela. These textile fiber innovation hubs are strategically located as they are closer to the raw material source for transport ease and cost-efficiency. The model aims to expand the circle of stakeholders to the textile supply chain, promote geographic specialization, and decentralize production.
The DOST-PTRI purchased a complete line of spinning machines producing 50 kg of spun yarns daily. The project also allowed the development and enhancement of the capability of project staff and partner institutions.
During the RYPIC Isabela launch, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said, “I encourage everyone here to support RYPIC and its products. Let us continue to work together to push for a more sustainable economy. We hope our work will inspire us to build more yarn innovation centers in other locations across our country, and this will only be possible if we have the strong support of our fellow Filipinos. It will begin with everyone joining us today.”
On the other hand, Senate President Pro Tempore Hon. Sen Loren B. Legarda, the author of Republic Act 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fabrics law, expressed her full support during the RYPIC Isabela launch. She mentioned, “This Yarn Production and Innovation Center’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness makes it a significant step forward for the textile industry and a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It can help to reduce waste and encourage the development of circular economies, which I faithfully advocate. It promises to be a game changer in the industry, providing a platform for local and global partners to collaborate and innovate.”
DOST-PTRI Officer-in-Charge and Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr. expressed gratitude to all the partners who made the RYPIC Isabela possible. Dr. Leaño, in his closing remarks, mentioned, “What we have in Ilagan, Isabela is maybe one of the best, if not the best permutation of the yarn production system yet so far, but you know what they say, as also with our natural resources, it’s not a matter of what you have, it’s what you do with what you have.”