Leafline founder Candy Androliakos and Princess Mbali Chauke.
- A Bathurst-based company, Leafline, is turning pineapple leaves into reusable, biodegradable sanitary products.
- Founder Candy Androliakos says the idea began with a request for affordable adult nappies, leading to the use of pineapple fibre, a material stronger than cotton.
- The Eastern Cape-based business is now setting its sights on international markets.
Pineapples may be best known for their tough, prickly skin, but in Bathurst – home of the Big Pineapple – their leaves are now driving an unexpected innovation, with sights set on international markets.
Local company Leafline is transforming discarded pineapple leaves into reusable, biodegradable, toxin-free sanitary products, including adult and baby nappies that last up to two years.
The Eastern Cape-based business is now setting its sights on international markets after graduating from the Global Export Passport Programme in February – a five-month initiative run by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation.
Leafline’s export strategy ranked among the top three out of 15 participating companies.
Pineapple leaves turned into reusable, toxin-free sanitary pads.
All of the company’s products are made from cayenne pineapple leaves, which, when processed, produce a fibre stronger than cotton.
Founder Candy Androliakos said a simple request sparked the idea.
“One of the older women at a care centre asked me to make a more affordable adult nappy. I had never sewn before, but I decided to try – and that request led to the founding of Leafline in 2018,” she added.
“Our quest led us to discover the remarkable potential of pineapple leaf fibres, a byproduct of pineapple harvesting. This sustainable material is transformed into a highly absorbent, soft, breathable, and durable fabric, perfect for our high-quality, washable, and reusable sanitary and incontinence wear.”
Beyond sustainability, the company is also focused on social impact. It employs four permanent staff members and three part-time workers, including elderly people and people living with disabilities, and carries the Proudly South African label.
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According to ECDC trade promotion specialist Linda Lubengu, the programme equips businesses with practical tools to enter global markets.
“The programme doesn’t just teach exporting, it turns plans into action,” said Lubengu, pointing to previous participants already trading in countries such as Namibia and Mozambique.
With growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives, Leafline is positioning itself at the intersection of sustainability, innovation and inclusive job creation, turning agricultural waste into a product with global potential.
You can read more about Leafline at their website here.
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