Extraction of Enset Pseudostem Fiber and Manufacturing of Erosion Control Mats

Alhayat Getu Temesgen; Adane Workneh

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Research Articles

Issue

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025)

How to Cite

Temesgen, A. G., & Workneh, A. (2025). Extraction of Enset Pseudostem Fiber and Manufacturing of Erosion Control Mats. Climate-Adaptive Materials Engineering, 1(1), 40-55. https://journals.explorerpress.com/index.php/came/article/view/54

Authors

Alhayat Getu Temesgen*

Wollo University, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Kombolcha, Ethiopia

Adane Workneh

Textile and Apparel Fashion Technology Division of Textile Technology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study reports the development of biodegradable soil erosion-control mats using Enset pseudostem fibers reinforced with plant-derived polymers and natural tackifying agents. The fibers were sustainably extracted, spun into threads, and woven into durable mats, followed by a plant-based polymer coating to enhance structural integrity and environmental resistance. Experimental results demonstrated that mat performance is highly sensitive to formulation parameters, including thickness, polymer concentration, and tackifying agent levels. Tensile strength peaked at 498 N for a 10 mm thick mat with 5% polymer and 2% tackifier, whereas a 15 mm mat with 30% polymer and 0.1% tackifier exhibited lower tensile strength (170 N), indicating that lower polymer concentrations combined with higher tackifier levels enhance mechanical durability. Water permeability was higher in mats with lower polymer content (5%), while denser formulations with higher polymer concentrations reduced flow, and soil retention ranged from 86–98%, with optimal retention achieved at moderate thickness, high polymer, and tackifier levels. Comparisons with conventional natural-fiber mats (coir, jute, banana) indicate that Enset fiber mats provide a competitive balance of mechanical strength, water permeability, and soil retention while offering advantages of local availability and sustainability. Overall, the results highlight the potential of Enset pseudostem fibers as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic erosion-control materials and provide a framework for optimizing mat formulations for application-specific performance.

Keywords:

Erosion control mat, Water permeability, Soil retention, Tensile strength

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