The student company “Noura” at the National University of Science and Technology has succeeded in producing textiles from palm fibres in pursuit to invest in palm waste and recycle the leftovers to achieve environmental sustainability and reduce pollution.
The company seeks to benefit from fibres to manufacture several household products. The company continues its various experiments to reach high-quality textile material that enables the company to supply the local and foreign market with these textile fibres that can become essential components in the manufacture of fabrics.
Yaqeen Al Nuaimia, Financial Director of Noura Student Company said that the company specializes in environmental-friendly products and sustainability and is closely aligning itself in the recycling sector, stressing the company’s endeavour to find innovative solutions to reduce environmental pollution as a result of burning green waste. This is done by investing palm and cotton fibres as a raw material in the production of palm fibres and thus producing commercial quantities of it, as the company aspires to be a leader in the field of fibre fabric manufacturing and supplying.
She pointed out that the textile manufacturing process goes through several stages, starting with the process of collecting palm fibres from farms and then carrying out the process of separating the solid part of the fibres, extracting them, then washing and drying them. The following stage is preparing a solution of sodium hydroxide using caustic soda flakes and distilled water and soaking these fibres inside the solution for a certain period. The fibres later are cleaned with materials selected by the company, leading to the processes of cleaning them with water to remove chemicals, and finally reaching the second drying and combing operations.
She pointed out that the process of manufacturing and producing threads begin with combing the fibres and untangling the knots. Then, the process of winding these fibres with cotton threads, and then comes the stage of textile production, which passes through the processing of the loom with threads and weaving.
Yaqeen explained that the “Mirad” textile product, which is made of palm fibres, is abundant in the Sultanate. It is a raw material that we supply to factories that manufacture fabrics. She also indicated that the material is used in the manufacture of fabrics, bags, clothes and many other industries, and it is undoubtedly environmentally friendly products. She noted that the product is a “fold” measuring two meters and the selling price is 1,600 baizas.
She said that the company faced many challenges and difficulties, during the Corona pandemic, which made the company’s operations and business very limited. The company also lost connection with many companies and wasn’t able to enhance partnership due to the restrictions that took place in the world. Some of the challenges were addressed through the application of several ideas, including allocating the support team, dividing the tasks among its members. The team has learnt to seize every possible opportunity.
Regarding the added market value of the product, Yaqeen said that the company is working to invest natural resources from the Omani environment and achieve sustainability by reducing the burning of palm waste and harming the environment. the company is keen to provide opportunities to train students and graduates and work to provide job opportunities for Omani graduates and craftsmen.
