Question 1

What is BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is a next-generation bio-based material developed by RECORE™, combining banana stem-derived fibre and cellulose with a polymeric coating system.  It is engineered to provide a leather-like material experience for fashion, lifestyle and accessory applications while incorporating renewable, bio-based material inputs.

Question 2

What is BANARIC™ made from?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ BANA 520 uses a banana stem-derived fibre and cellulose-based substrate combined with a Bio-PU/polymeric coating system.  The exact composition may vary depending on the grade, thickness and construction.

Question 3

Is BANARIC™ made from real banana fibre?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  BANARIC™ uses banana stem-derived fibre and cellulose as part of its substrate. RECORE™ develops and manufactures the bio-based substrate, transforming agricultural biomass-derived fibre into a consistent technical material suitable for further processing and coating.

Question 4

What is the bio-based content of BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

The BANA 520 grade has demonstrated at least 71% biobased carbon, tested according to ASTM D6866-24.  This is a measurement of biobased carbon and should not be interpreted as 71% banana fibre or 71% total material by weight.

Question 5

What does ‘biobased carbon’ mean?

Accepted Answer

Biobased carbon refers to carbon originating from recently living biological sources rather than fossil-based sources.  ASTM D6866 uses radiocarbon analysis to distinguish contemporary biobased carbon from fossil-derived carbon.

Question 6

What thicknesses are available?

Accepted Answer

The current BANARIC™ specification covers approximately 0.60–1.00 mm thickness, with a standard width of 56 inches.  Different thicknesses and constructions can be explored depending on the application and customer requirements.

Question 7

What finishes are available?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ can be developed in smooth, textured and embossed finishes, as well as custom surface designs.  Custom colours and finishes can be developed depending on the required specification, quantity and technical requirements.

Question 8

Can BANARIC™ be customised?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Depending on the application, BANARIC™ can be developed across thickness, colour, texture, embossing, surface finish, construction and application-specific requirements.  Custom development is subject to technical feasibility, minimum quantities and development timelines.

Question 9

What applications is BANARIC™ suitable for?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is being developed primarily for handbags, structured bags, small leather goods, wallets and accessories, fashion accessories, trims, panels and lifestyle products.  The appropriate specification depends on the required hand feel, structure, construction and performance requirements. Additional applications can be evaluated through product-development trials.

Question 10

Can BANARIC™ be used as an alternative to conventional leather?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is designed as a leather-alternative material for applications where brands are looking for a non-animal, bio-based material with a leather-like appearance and processing characteristics.  Final suitability depends on the product construction and performance requirements.

Question 11

Can BANARIC™ be sewn?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BANARIC™ can be evaluated for sewing and stitching applications depending on the grade, thickness and product construction.  For commercial production, RECORE™ recommends conducting application-specific trials to establish the appropriate stitch, needle, thread and construction parameters.

Question 12

Can BANARIC™ be folded, embossed or bonded?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ can be evaluated for folding, embossing, bonding, edge finishing, cutting and stitching.  Processing performance depends on the specific grade and finished-product construction.

Question 13

Can BANARIC™ be skived?

Accepted Answer

Skiving can be evaluated depending on the thickness and construction of the selected BANARIC™ grade.  Application-specific trials are recommended before bulk production.

Question 14

Can brands develop a product before placing a bulk order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RECORE™ encourages brands to evaluate BANARIC™ through swatches, prototypes and product-development trials before moving into commercial production.  This helps validate the material against the brand’s specific construction, aesthetics and performance requirements.

Question 15

Has BANARIC™ been independently tested?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BANARIC™ BANA 520 has undergone independent performance testing at SGS India.  The latest SGS report includes testing for coating adhesion, Bally flexing resistance, breaking strength and extension, hydrolysis, abrasion resistance and tear strength. The reported results apply to the specific sample tested.

Question 16

How does BANARIC™ perform under flexing?

Accepted Answer

In the SGS Bally Flexing Resistance test according to ISO 5402-1:2017, BANARIC™ achieved Rank 1 in both tested directions after 50,000 cycles.  Rank 1 corresponds to no damage under the rating described in the SGS report.

Question 17

How does BANARIC™ perform in abrasion testing?

Accepted Answer

The SGS abrasion test was conducted according to BS EN 13520:2002+A1:2005.  The sample was evaluated up to 25,600 dry cycles and 12,800 wet cycles. No abrasion or pilling was recorded during the reported inspection stages.

Question 18

What is the tear strength of BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

The SGS test reported an average tear load of 17.3 N in Direction 1 and 20.3 N in Direction 2.  The average specimen thickness was 1.0 mm.

Question 19

What is the breaking strength of BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

According to SGS testing under SATRA TM29:2017, breaking strength was 10.1 N/mm in Direction 1 and 5.9 N/mm in Direction 2. Elongation was 85% in Direction 1 and 212% in Direction 2.

Question 20

How strong is the coating adhesion?

Accepted Answer

The SGS coating adhesion test under TM410:1995 reported 0.4–0.5 N/mm dry and 0.3 N/mm wet.

Question 21

Has BANARIC™ been tested for hydrolysis resistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BANARIC™ was tested according to TM344:1995 (Modified) at 70°C, 95% relative humidity and 48 hours.  The reported colour-change rating was Grade 4.

Question 22

Is BANARIC™ water-resistant?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is intended to provide water-resistant performance, depending on the specific construction and finish.  Water resistance can vary by grade, coating and finished-product construction. Application-specific water-resistance testing can be conducted where a defined performance rating is required.

Question 23

Is BANARIC™ waterproof?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ should not be described as waterproof unless the specific grade and finished construction have been tested and certified to an appropriate waterproofing standard.  For applications requiring defined water-resistance performance, RECORE™ can evaluate the appropriate test requirement.

Question 24

Is BANARIC™ UV resistant or lightfast?

Accepted Answer

The current documentation does not include a confirmed UV-resistance or lightfastness test result.  These properties can be evaluated separately for applications where they are critical.

Question 25

Is BANARIC™ breathable?

Accepted Answer

Breathability and water-vapour permeability have not been established in the current documentation.  Where breathability is important, RECORE™ can evaluate the appropriate material construction and testing requirements.

Question 26

Is BANARIC™ a vegan material?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is developed as a non-animal material for applications traditionally using leather or leather-like materials.  Specific certification or compliance documentation can be provided for the relevant grade where required by a brand or retailer.

Question 27

Is BANARIC™ biodegradable?

Accepted Answer

The current BANARIC™ documentation does not establish a biodegradability claim.  A biobased-carbon result and biodegradability are different properties. BANARIC™ should therefore not be marketed as biodegradable unless supported by a relevant test or certification.

Question 28

Is BANARIC™ compostable?

Accepted Answer

No compostability certification or end-of-life test is currently included in the documentation reviewed. Therefore, BANARIC™ should not currently be marketed as compostable.

Question 29

Does BANARIC™ have a lower environmental impact than conventional leather?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ incorporates bio-based material inputs, including banana-derived fibre and cellulose.  However, the 71% biobased-carbon result does not by itself establish a complete environmental-impact comparison with conventional leather. A scientifically supported comparison would require additional information such as life-cycle assessment, carbon-footprint data and defined system boundaries. ASTM D6866 itself does not address environmental impact.

Question 30

Does BANARIC™ use agricultural biomass?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BANARIC™ incorporates banana stem-derived fibre, creating a material pathway that utilises agricultural biomass as a feedstock.  Further feedstock sourcing and traceability information can be provided to customers as applicable.

Question 31

Are BANARIC™ test reports available to brands?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Relevant technical documentation and independent test reports can be shared with brands and product-development teams, subject to the applicable document and intended use.

Question 32

Does SGS testing guarantee the performance of every BANARIC™ production batch?

Accepted Answer

No. SGS states that the reported results apply to the sample tested and received by the laboratory. Production performance may vary depending on grade, construction, manufacturing conditions and specification.  RECORE™ recommends confirming the relevant specification and quality requirements before commercial production.

Question 33

How does RECORE™ maintain consistency between production batches?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ production specifications are defined according to the selected grade and customer requirements.  For commercial programmes, RECORE™ can establish agreed specifications, inspection parameters and quality requirements for repeat production.

Question 34

Can BANARIC™ be tested according to a brand’s own requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If a brand has specific performance, chemical, durability or compliance requirements, RECORE™ can work with the brand to identify the appropriate testing programme.

Question 35

Can BANARIC™ be developed for different markets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BANARIC™ can be developed and evaluated according to the requirements of different brands, product categories and target markets.  Additional testing or compliance documentation may be required depending on the destination market and end application.

Question 36

Can I request a BANARIC™ sample?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RECORE™ offers BANARIC™ swatches for initial evaluation, with larger development samples available depending on the selected grade and application.

Question 37

Can I get a BANARIC™ swatch book?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A BANARIC™ swatch collection can be provided for brands and product-development teams evaluating colours, textures and finishes.

Question 38

What is the MOQ for BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

MOQ depends on the selected specification, colour, finish and order volume. Standard and customised requirements may have different minimum quantities.

Question 39

What is the lead time for BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

Lead time depends on whether the requirement is for an existing specification or a customised development. Custom colours, finishes and constructions may require additional development time.

Question 40

Can BANARIC™ be produced in custom colours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Custom colour development can be explored based on the customer’s colour reference and technical requirements.  Colour matching, minimum quantities and development timelines are confirmed on a project-by-project basis.

Question 41

Can BANARIC™ be developed exclusively for a brand?

Accepted Answer

Custom material-development programmes can be discussed depending on the technical requirements, volumes and commercial arrangement.  Brands can work with RECORE™ to explore application-specific constructions and finishes.

Question 42

Where is BANARIC™ manufactured?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is a RECORE™-developed material manufactured using banana-derived fibre and cellulose. Detailed manufacturing and sourcing information can be provided to customers as part of the product-development and supply process.

Question 43

How should BANARIC™ be stored?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ should be stored according to the care and handling requirements of the specific grade and construction.  For commercial quantities, RECORE™ can provide applicable storage and handling recommendations.

Question 44

How should finished products made with BANARIC™ be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning recommendations depend on the final product construction, coating and finishing system.  For finished products, RECORE™ recommends following the approved care instructions established during product development.

Question 45

Can BANARIC™ be exposed to heat and moisture?

Accepted Answer

Performance under heat and moisture depends on the specific construction.  The BANA 520 sample has undergone hydrolysis testing at 70°C and 95% relative humidity for 48 hours, with a reported colour-change Grade 4. Application-specific environmental testing should be conducted where the finished product will experience demanding conditions.

Question 46

How can a brand start developing with BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

Share your product category, desired thickness, colour, finish, approximate quantity and target application.  The RECORE™ team can recommend the appropriate BANARIC™ specification and arrange samples for development.

Question 47

Can RECORE™ support product development?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RECORE™ can work with brands and manufacturers through the material-selection, sampling and product-development stages to identify a suitable BANARIC™ specification for the intended application.

Question 48

Can BANARIC™ be supplied at commercial scale?

Accepted Answer

BANARIC™ is being developed for commercial applications, with production planning based on the selected grade, specification, order quantity and customisation requirements.  Commercial capacity and lead times can be discussed based on the individual programme.

Question 49

Where can I get technical information about BANARIC™?

Accepted Answer

For technical datasheets, test reports, samples, specifications and development enquiries, contact the RECORE™ team.

BANARIC™ FAQ

About BANARIC™

Material & Specifications

Processing & Product Development

Performance

Sustainability

Quality, Testing & Documentation

Sampling & Commercial Information

Care & Handling

Working With RECORE™

Build the next generation of materials.

BANARIC™ FAQ

About BANARIC™

01What is BANARIC™?

02What is BANARIC™ made from?

03Is BANARIC™ made from real banana fibre?

04What is the bio-based content of BANARIC™?

05What does ‘biobased carbon’ mean?

Material & Specifications

06What thicknesses are available?

07What finishes are available?

08Can BANARIC™ be customised?

09What applications is BANARIC™ suitable for?

10Can BANARIC™ be used as an alternative to conventional leather?

Processing & Product Development

11Can BANARIC™ be sewn?

12Can BANARIC™ be folded, embossed or bonded?

13Can BANARIC™ be skived?

14Can brands develop a product before placing a bulk order?

Performance

15Has BANARIC™ been independently tested?

16How does BANARIC™ perform under flexing?

17How does BANARIC™ perform in abrasion testing?

18What is the tear strength of BANARIC™?

19What is the breaking strength of BANARIC™?

20How strong is the coating adhesion?

21Has BANARIC™ been tested for hydrolysis resistance?

22Is BANARIC™ water-resistant?

23Is BANARIC™ waterproof?

24Is BANARIC™ UV resistant or lightfast?

25Is BANARIC™ breathable?

Sustainability

26Is BANARIC™ a vegan material?

27Is BANARIC™ biodegradable?

28Is BANARIC™ compostable?

29Does BANARIC™ have a lower environmental impact than conventional leather?

30Does BANARIC™ use agricultural biomass?

Quality, Testing & Documentation

31Are BANARIC™ test reports available to brands?

32Does SGS testing guarantee the performance of every BANARIC™ production batch?

33How does RECORE™ maintain consistency between production batches?

34Can BANARIC™ be tested according to a brand’s own requirements?

35Can BANARIC™ be developed for different markets?

Sampling & Commercial Information

36Can I request a BANARIC™ sample?

37Can I get a BANARIC™ swatch book?

38What is the MOQ for BANARIC™?

39What is the lead time for BANARIC™?

40Can BANARIC™ be produced in custom colours?

41Can BANARIC™ be developed exclusively for a brand?

42Where is BANARIC™ manufactured?

Care & Handling

43How should BANARIC™ be stored?

44How should finished products made with BANARIC™ be cleaned?

45Can BANARIC™ be exposed to heat and moisture?

Working With RECORE™

46How can a brand start developing with BANARIC™?

47Can RECORE™ support product development?

48Can BANARIC™ be supplied at commercial scale?

49Where can I get technical information about BANARIC™?

Build the next generation of materials.