From Agricultural Waste to IKEA Exports: A Success Story of the Banana Stem Drying Project with DeAir

From Agricultural Waste to IKEA Exports: A Success Story of the Banana Stem Drying Project with DeAir

At DeAir, we believe that every Vietnamese product holds great value, even those often considered waste. The story of our banana stem drying project, in collaboration with a supply partner for the IKEA Group, is a vivid testament to this belief. This is a journey of transforming discarded banana stems from post-harvest into high-end handicraft materials that meet the stringent standards of one of the world's largest furniture brands.

The Forgotten "Gold Mine" & The "Mining" Challenge

After every banana harvest, tons of banana stems are often cut down and discarded. However, few people know that the fiber from these stems is a natural, sustainable material well-suited for making handicrafts. Recognizing this potential, the IKEA Group, with its strategy of prioritizing renewable materials, has reached out to partners in Vietnam to develop a supply source for this material.

However, for this "waste" to become an export-standard material, it must overcome a challenging drying process:

• Precise Moisture Control: The banana stem fibers must be dry enough to prevent mold during storage and shipping, but also retain a certain level of moisture to keep the fibers soft, pliable, and not brittle for weaving.
• Problems with Traditional Methods: Sun-drying is entirely unfeasible due to weather dependency, lack of hygiene, and inconsistent quality. Meanwhile, drying with coal or wood-fired kilns is polluting, poses a fire hazard, and can easily damage the banana fibers due to unstable temperatures.

The challenge posed to DeAir was to provide a technological solution capable of producing large quantities with uniform quality and absolute safety.

The Technological Solution from DeAir - The Daxwell Heat Pump Dryer

With consulting experience across many industries, from food to handicrafts, DeAir proposed the optimal solution for this project: a drying room system using the Daxwell heat-pump dryer.

Why is this solution the perfect choice?

1. Intelligent Drying Process Control: To make it easy to understand, the Daxwell dryer is like a master chef. Its intelligent PLC controller allows DeAir engineers to "write" a custom "drying recipe" specifically for banana stems. The machine automatically adjusts the temperature and humidity in stages, ensuring the fibers are dried slowly and gently, resulting in a product that is perfectly dry yet retains its pliability.
2. Energy-Saving Heat Pump Technology: Instead of using costly resistance heating elements, the heat pump technology operates on the principle of recovering the very heat generated during the dehumidification process and reusing it. This approach significantly reduces electricity costs, a crucial economic factor for manufacturing facilities.
3. Safe Operation, Proactive Production: The closed-chamber drying system completely eliminates risks related to weather, dust, and fire safety. The business can operate 24/7 with peace of mind, ready to meet any large order from IKEA.

Practical Results: Elevating Value, Creating Sustainable Livelihoods

Since the DeAir drying system became operational, a major transformation has occurred. Banana stems that were once waste have now become a stable source of income for local farmers. The production facility can confidently supply high-quality, uniform raw materials to IKEA, opening up sustainable export opportunities.

The success story of the banana stem drying project is a testament to DeAir's mission: applying advanced technology to solve practical problems, partnering with Vietnamese businesses and farmers to enhance product value, create sustainable supply chains, and reach the global market.