CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND This chapter presents the background of the study, problem and its significance, and the scope and delimitation of the study.

Using a Banana Fiber in Paper Making makes a lot of difference in our society because it can help us grow our economic status. By just a Banana Fiber you can make a lot of stuff like paper, but not an ordinary paper. Banana Fiber paper produces a good quality paper.

INTRODUCTION Banana paper is used in two different senses: to refer to a paper made from the bark of the banana tree, mainly used for artistic purposes, or paper made from banana fiber, obtained from an industrialized process, from the stem and the non- utilizable fruits. This paper can be either hand-made or made by industrialized machine.
Banana fiber is a natural fiber with high strength, which can be blended easily with cotton fiber or other synthetic fibers to produce blended fabric & textiles
Banana Fiber also finds use in high quality security/ currency paper, packing cloth for agriculture produce, ships towing ropes, wet drilling cables etc.

Our technology includes the scientific know-how, processes, machinery and equipment necessary to convert banana tree trunk into paper. The technology is unique and fits between the conventional pulp & paper technology and the lumber veneering and custom wood technologies. The raw material for making handmade paper could be cotton linter, tailor cuttings, hosiery waste, bast fibers (jute/ hemp etc), wheat straw, rice straw, bagasse, cotton stalk, grasses, different kind of agro and forest wastes, waste paper etc. These raw materials are easily available in villages. The technology for making handmade paper includes simplicity of operation, low cost of installation and the same equipment can produce any and many varieties of handmade paper.

Our technology of turning banana waste into paper is gearing up to go commercial. And it has several distinct market advantages a commercially viable cost structure, superior product and positive environmental benefits. Recycled Paper is made from both virgin tree-fibers and recycled fibers with one exception, and that is 100% post-consumer paper, which is made from 100%, recycled fibers. Therefore, trees are still cut to make most recycled paper. Banana papermaking seems to be the only avenue for utilizing sustainable resource most appropriately.

RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
This study aimed to develop and try- out the use of banana fiber in paper making industry.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aimed to understand more in making the banana fiber into the paper. The study addressed the following specific questions:
1.) How banana fiber is produced?
2.) What are the commonly steps in making a banana paper?
3.) Can this research work possibly be pursued in the future?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will help us to develop our own creativity in making the raw materials into finish product. Banana papers are decorative papers for creative use. Banana papers are suitable for gift boxes, gift wrapping, stationery, writing, and handmade notebooks. Great for collage, invitations, book covers, rubber stamping, and many other uses. Good for block printing, chine collé, and drawing. Being a decorative paper, the banana paper is also utilized in production of classic handmade paper products & accessories.

The study focuses on the benefits of banana fiber, which can contribute in the attainment of wealth and wellness by making use of our local produce. Many people are needed the paper in their daily life so a lot of manufacturing company invented paper using the tree. They invent paper using the banana fiber so that it help to enhance they creativity and human intellectual in processing it.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study focused on the specifications of how to procure the major quality materials, the banana fiber and conscientiously observed the proper storage and maintenance of all the materials needed in this study. Allow the material to soften for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow it to dry for approximately 24 hours or until all water has evaporated and as soon as possible we can see the result of this experiment. The Banana fiber is easily to find in or surrounding especially in the province. The study had undergone difference ways of experimentation to come up with reliable and factual results.

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

The following definitions are used to further understand the study: *Banana Fiber is extracted from Banana tree bark.

*Caliber is the approximate internal diameter of the barrel, or the diameter of the projectile used in it.

*Chine-collé is a special technique in printmaking, in which the image is transferred to a surface that is bonded to a heavier support in the printing process.

*Caustic Soda, also known as lye or Sodium hydroxideaustic soda, has the molecular formula NaOH and is a highly caustic metallic base. It is a white solid available in pellets, flakes, granules, and as a 50% saturated solution.

*Veneering refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3 mm (1/8 inch)

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
PUBLISHED MATERIALS (PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE)

BANANA FIBER AS ART PAPER ALTERNATIVE

A Science Investigative Project
Division Level

TEAM CATEGORY

Researchers

Elioenie L. Vicente
Brent Bracer B. Camacho
Karen Joy S. Nietes

VILLAFLOR CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SOUTH WEST DISTRICT
VILLAFLOR, OROQUIETA CITY

ABSTRACT

The current environmental situation of the Philippines calls for an initiative to cut down on wastes, and repurpose renewable resources such as the banana plant. One way to do it is to make fiber paper from the banana plant. Also, use of chemicals was eliminated in the process to protect the environment from further deterioration due to contamination.

The quality of handmade banana paper with no additives or chemicals has been shown to be useful in art decorations, gift-wrapping and an eco-friendly paper substitute. This project aims to produce quality paper from banana pulp from banana stalks, bark and leaves.

The banana pulp was achieved by gathering, chopping and boiling the stalks, bark and leaves. The pulp was divided into 3 samples: pulp from stalks, pulp from bark, and pulp from a mixture of leaves, bark and stalks.

The three samples were specifically used to distinguish which pulp material will be suited for paper coloration for art material purposes. It was observed that the pulp made from the banana bark would yield the most suitable color for paper dyeing. With its natural pale brown color, it will be easier to produce various dyed paper by mixing in dye with the banana fiber slurry. The by-products of the dyed banana fiber can then be used to substitute gift-wrapping paper, invitation cards, paper bags, and other art paper by-products.

The researchers concluded that banana fiber from trunk, leaves and stalks is a good alternative for art paper.

Creating Greener Paper Using Banana Fibre

http://www.greenretreat.org/creating-greener-paper-using-banana-fibre/
Paper has always been an important part of human history. Paper has been used for books, art, crafts and even as currency. Certain homes, like the traditional domiciles of Japan even use paper as a primary building material.
Paper is made of natural cellulose taken from trees. This is an extremely costly procedure because several trees have to be cut down, processed, and then made into paper. To create 16 reams of paper, you would have to cut down one tree.
To put that in perspective, the average college student uses 7-10 reams of paper every year. This is problematic because if you take into account how much paper the whole world uses, you would realise just how quickly our forests are being depleted.
Trees are becoming a valuable commodity so we definitely need to find a way to create a better, more sustainable way to create more paper without cutting more trees. After all, trees take a very long time to grow so its an extremely difficult task to keep a steady supply of paper without cutting down virgin forests. An average pine forest needs 12 years of initial growing before they can be processed into paper.
As such, it is highly advisable that paper be recycled as often as possible. Paper is a biodegradable product but used paper can always be broken down, recycled, and made into new paper. However, paper pulp degrades over time and can only be recycled several times over. You would also have to add in virgin pulp to get a better quality of paper over time. Heavy bleaching is also required to create white paper, because recycled paper is known for its brown, rough quality.
On the other hand, banana fibre is a better option for paper making. A certain species known as Musa textilis is not known for its edible fruit, which is tough and hard, but is more known for the rich, thick fibres obtained from its leaves and bark.
This banana fibre can create high quality paper that is durable and long lasting, and can be recycled up to 100 times more than regular paper made from pine fibre or something similar. Banana fibre paper has actually been used for a number of bills already. Australia and Japan’s currency is made from banana fibre because it is durable and resistant to water damage.
In fact, cordage made from banana fibre is resistant to salt water damage, so these natural ropes are sought after by fishermen and navy men.
Banana fibre paper is also extremely sustainable. Since Musa textilis is more of a herb rather than a tree, it grows much faster. The turn over rate of a crop of banana plants takes just 12-25 months depending on how rich the soil is. With proper planning, they can yield longer lasting, more efficiently recycled paper in a much shorter amount of time. Paper made from banana fibre should definitely be sought out for world wide use.

UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS (RELATED STUDIES)

In the recent past, banana fiber had a very limited application and was primarily used for making items like ropes, mats, and some other composite materials. With the increasing environmental awareness and growing importance of eco-friendly fabrics, banana fiber has also been recognized for all its good qualities and now its application is increasing in other fields too such as apparel garments and home furnishings. However, in Japan, it is being used for making traditional dresses like kimono, and kamishimo since the Edo period (1600-1868). Due to its being lightweight and comfortable to wear, it is still preferred by people there as summer wear. Banana fiber is also used to make fine cushion covers, Necties, bags, table cloths, curtains etc. Rugs made from banana silk yarn fibers are also very popular world over.

The essentially hand driven process of extracting banana fiber is now set to change with the invention of the Banana Fiber Separator Machine. The machine has been developed in India by Tiruchirappalli Regional Engineering College - Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (TREC-STEP). One more interesting fact associated with the development of this machine is that it uses the agriculture waste of banana harvests to produce silk grade fiber. These silk grade fibers are of immense help to the handicrafts and textile industry. What was previously considered an agricultural waste is now converted to a raw material for good quality silk grade fiber yarn.

CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER IV
PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSES OF DATA

This study aimed to understand more in making the banana fiber into the paper. The study addressed the following specific questions:
1.) How banana silk is produced?
2.) What are the commonly steps in making a banana paper?
3.) Can this research work possibly be pursued in the future?

1. How banana fiber is produced?

When banana is used in papermaking, fiber is obtained by chopping up and cooking whole banana trunks. This quick, rather primitive process results in paper that is dark, brittle, and very fibrous. Banana fiber extraction is tedious and labor-intensive; after the hands of banana are harvested in the fields, the heavy, moisture-laden stems are cut down and peeled into their component layers or sheaths. Flattening a single sheath on the ground, a worker pins one end of it under a broad, straight-edged knife. Then the worker draws the sheath firmly from under the blade. The watery pith matter separates, yielding a tiny handful of raw fiber. It is estimated that 70 full-grown banana trunks yield a single kilo of dry banana fiber.

2. What are the commonly steps in making a banana paper?

Step 1
Chop up the banana stalks and leaves from the banana plant into several thin and fine pieces less than 1 inch long.
Step 2
Place the banana stalks in a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water so that the stalks float, and then boil the stalks in the pot on the stove. Stir the stalks constantly for about an hour.
Step 3
Remove the pot from the stove and use the eggbeater to whip the stalks into a fine slurry.
Step 4
Take the pot full of stalks and a silkscreen or fine mesh screen outdoors. Ladle the stalk slurry onto the screen, spreading the slurry lightly and consistently against the screen. The more consistent the stalk slurry is spread, the more consistent the banana paper will be when dry.
Step 5
Lay the screen against the side of a building or tree vertically so that part of the banana stalk slurry drips down onto the ground. Allow the slurry that remains on the screen to dry almost all the way, until it is just slightly damp.
Step 6
Peel the banana paper off the screen. Pin the paper with clothespins and hang it on a clothesline outside to dry for one or two days, or until completely dry. Remove the banana paper from the clothesline to use. 3. Can this research work possibly be pursued in the future?

Handmade banana paper can be best described as a revolutionary product which is much sturdier than ordinary pulp paper and made from natural, bio-degradable product. This paper is popular among those who appreciate the concept of using a natural paper material in an original and organic way. The trend of using banana fiber to manufacture handmade paper is now picking up, especially in nations like India as the fibre of the banana tree is a sustainable resource to manufacture paper.