DOST promotes cogon as textile dye

When dyeing textile, think of cogon grass.

Used commercially as a roofing material in light structures, cogon is now being promoted as a textile dye substitute to yellow ginger.

Found almost everywhere in the Philippines, cogon grass is one of 75 dye yielding species that the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) has studied and the Cogon Extraction and Textile Application Technology is ready for its transfer and commercialization.

The PTRI, an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), said cogon grass grows abundantly and hugely that supply seems inexhaustible.

“The use of cogon grass as a dye is inspired by its abundance and ready supply without seriously thinking of cultivating it,” the PTRI said.

“Surprisingly, the decoction of the leaves/blades impart yellow color to textile with relatively better colorfastness (CF) performance than those dyed with yellow ginger.”

The cogon grass, whose scientific name is imperata cylindrica, can be a rightful substitute to yellow ginger because it is more colorfast and easier to source as well, the PTRI added.

The PTRI said materials that can be dyed using cogon include piña-seda, piña and abaca fabrics, cotton-linen and ramie linen and cotton and silk materials as well.

They yield varying shades of yellow depending on the type of material and dye concentration, the PTRI added.

The PTRI said dye performance reflected satisfactory ratings to CF to light and laundering.  – Helen Flores