Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Since 1989, the abaca pulp sector registered a growth rate of 6.6 and 7.9 % per
annum in terms of export volume and earnings, respectively. This is expected to
increase further as the technology and formulations developed and used by the
specialty paper manufacturers are becoming principally abaca based. Likewise,
demand for specialty papers such as currency notes, tea bags, meat and sausage
casings, cigarette papers, and the like will continue to grow as economies of the
major consuming countries improve and new markets open up.
Abaca pulp can also be substituted for coniferous pulp in most paper products on
the ratio of 4 to 1. Majority of the world's pulp and paper companies use wood pulp
with global demand estimated to be at 200 million MT. This is equivalent to about
50 million MT of abaca pulp.
The fiber craft sector is another growth area registering a 4.4 % improvement in
earnings per annum. To sustain the increasing demand for fiber crafts, however,
functional and innovative designs should continuously be introduced in the market.
Growing awareness and interest on abaca fabrics for d´cor and wrapping
purposes, as well as for fashion, have increased the demand for this product.
Since 1989 until the present, the export volume registered a remarkable growth
rate of 121.4 % per year. It is expected that demand would be long term due to the
growing popularity of environment-friendly materials especially in developed
countries.
While the market of abaca cordage, ropes, and twines would not be as promising
compared with other sectors of the industry, demand will remain stable as it has
specific markets to serve. Abaca cordage is highly preferred in oil dredging/
exploration, navies, and merchant shipping as well as in the construction business
because of its non-slipping characteristics.
Abaca production is expected to improve in response to the encouraging devel-
opments in both the local and world markets.
Direction of Abaca Breeding in UPLB
There are only two agencies in the Philippines doing abaca breeding - the Institute
of Plant Breeding Crop Science Cluster, UPLB, and the National Abaca Research
Center (NARC), Visayas State University (VSU). Therefore, abaca breeding in
UPLB will have a significant contribution in the viability of the Philippine abaca
industry. Abaca breeding in UPLB will continue as long as there are researchers,
technicians, and laborers who are dedicated to pursue the objective of rehabilitating
the Philippine abaca industry. Abaca breeding will concentrate more on the devel-
opment of high-yielding and virus-resistant varieties using conventional and
non-conventional methods and the mass propagation and dissemination of these
high-yielding and resistant hybrids to abaca farmers and other
interested
stakeholders.
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