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Northumbria University's 'Banana Split: Unpeeling a New Energy Source' project has been highly commended at the Green Gown Awards for its innovative conversion of banana farming waste in rural Pakistan into biodegradable textiles and renewable energy. Led by Dr.

Jibran Khaliq, the project addresses plastic pollution from synthetic textiles and energy access issues in rural communities. The process extracts fibers from banana plants for textile production and converts remaining waste into syngas, a renewable gas that reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

The initiative also produces biofertilizer, enhancing soil fertility. The Green Gown Awards recognize sustainability excellence in UK and Ireland tertiary education, highlighting impactful research initiatives. This project exemplifies Northumbria's commitment to international collaboration, working with the National Textile University, Prime Eurotech, and Eco Research Ltd.