In recent past there is decline of Indian Handmade Paper in export market due to increase of cost of
traditionally used good quality raw material ie hosiery waste and rags. The present paper covers the potential for
availability of banana fibre and its morphological & chemical nature as well as the pulping technologies with
enzymatic refining. The inherent characteristics of the banana fibre i.e. lower lignin content, higher alpha cellulose
coupled with average higher fibre length and dia could prove its applicability for the manufacture of a good quality
handmade paper while providing an opportunity to be used as reinforcing fibre by blending the banana fibre with the
short fibres pulps like bagasse. Further, the paper also covers the studies on enzymatic refining of alkaline cooked
banana pulp showed nearly 16% savings in beating / refining energy which added the benefit of use of this fibre for
making handmade paper and paper products with improved strength properties.