Ecosoi and the Story of Creating Livelihoods from Pineapple Fiber

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions in import and export logistics raised the risk of supply chain breakdowns. ECOSOI’s adaptive strategy shifted focus to the domestic market, emphasizing the development of new products such as handicrafts, handwoven textiles, and industrial-grade fiber rolls to supply the local garment industry.

From Pineapple Leaves to Ecosoi’s Founding

Pineapple is a widely cultivated fruit across Vietnam, with plantations spanning the North, Central, and South regions. Vietnam’s pineapple cultivation area exceeds 40,000 hectares, generating approximately 60 tons of discarded leaves per hectare annually—equating to nearly 3 million tons of agricultural waste each year. For every kilogram of harvested pineapple fruit, 2 to 3 kilograms of leaves are discarded. Farmers typically treat these leaves as waste, often resorting to burning them or using herbicides to clear fields, practices that severely harm the environment.

As an environmental specialist, Ms. Vũ Thị Liễu, founder of ECOSOI, recognized the environmental damage caused by these methods. Leveraging her expertise in extracting fibers from plants, she successfully isolated fibers from pineapple leaves in 2020, thanks to their high cellulose content and linear fiber structure. Partnering with Mr. Hạnh, director of the Hạnh Phúc Agricultural Cooperative, they initiated a project to extract pineapple fibers. Their shared vision was to elevate the value of pineapple crops and provide local farmers with additional income opportunities, reducing the need for rural laborers to seek work elsewhere.

Expanding Markets for ECOSOI Products
To secure markets for their innovative products, Ms. Nguyễn Thu Trang, founder of the NGO Keep It Beautiful Vietnam (KIBV) and co-founder of ECOSOI, took charge of promoting the brand in Europe. Based in Switzerland, she works to connect ECOSOI with potential partners and clients internationally.

From the idea of transforming pineapple leaves into high-quality fibers for luxury fashion, Mr. Hạnh and Ms. Liễu co-founded ECOSOI, a joint-stock company dedicated to research, production, and development. Their mission extends beyond environmental and economic goals to include significant social contributions.

ECOSOI’s Social Mission and Adaptive Strategy Amid COVID-19
ECOSOI was established to address the following objectives:

• Prevent environmental pollution of soil, water, and air caused by the improper disposal of pineapple leaves.
• Enhance the value of pineapple crops by providing farmers with additional income from leaves that would otherwise be burned.
• Create sustainable livelihoods for local farmers and underutilized labor forces.
• Meet the growing demand for natural fibers in the fashion and textile industries.

In response to COVID-19 challenges, ECOSOI adapted by focusing on the domestic market, developing products like handicrafts, handwoven textiles, and industrial fiber rolls for the local garment industry.

A Vision for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy
ECOSOI is committed to sustainable development and fostering a circular economy. With market growth, ECOSOI aims to scale operations, create thousands of local jobs, and inspire eco-friendly consumption habits to protect the environment.