Kapok (sustainable cultivation)
Also known as: Ceiba fibre, Wild kapok, Rainforest kapok
Ultra-light hollow fibre from the ceiba tree — wild-harvested, pesticide-free, and with 80 % air content the lightest natural fibre.
Description
Kapok comes from the seed pods of the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), which grows in tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, West Africa and Central America. The fibre is about 19 mm long, has a very large lumen and roughly 80 % air content — making kapok the lightest natural textile fibre and giving it excellent buoyancy.
A natural wax coating renders kapok water-repellent but also prevents it from being spun on its own. In modern blends with cotton (typically 85/15) or Tencel, kapok has been used since the 2000s for bedding, light summer shirts and insulation fills for jackets. Since kapok trees do not need to be cultivated, the crop grows without pesticides, fertiliser or artificial irrigation.
- Cellulose approx. 35 %, xylan 22 %, lignin 21.5 %
- Fibre diameter 15–30 µm, length approx. 19 mm
- Traditional filler for life-vests, mattresses and pillows
- Ecological bonus: protects existing rainforest
Properties
| Fibre type | Natural fibre (plant-based, hollow) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indonesia, Thailand, West Africa, Central America |
| Air content | approx. 80 % |
| Application | Jacket fills, bedding, blends with cotton |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Kapok Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapok
- Ceiba pentandra – Botanik Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiba_pentandra
