Kapok
Also known as: Java Cotton, Silk Cotton
Extremely light hollow fibre from the seed pods of the kapok tree — a natural alternative to down.
Description
Kapok is obtained from the seed pods of the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), which grows in tropical regions of South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. The fibres cannot be spun because they are very short and smooth, so they are used as filling material. Kapok is one of the lightest natural fibres known – up to eight times lighter than cotton.
Thanks to the high air content of the hollow fibres, kapok has excellent thermal insulation and floats on water. Historically it was the standard material for life jackets before synthetic alternatives took over. Today kapok serves as a vegan filling for pillows, duvets, mattresses and prams. The raw material is naturally mite-resistant and antibacterial.
- Hollow fibre – up to 80 % air content
- Excellent thermal insulation
- Mite-resistant, antibacterial
- Vegan alternative to down and feathers
Properties
| Fibre type | Natural fibre (plant-based, hollow) |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America, Africa, Southeast Asia |
| Property | Extremely light, water-repellent, insulating |
| Application | Pillows, duvets, mattresses, upholstery |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Kapok Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapok