Jute is one of the strongest natural plant fibre. Jute is a long, soft, shiny plant fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It’s the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton in terms of usage, global consumption, production and availability.
Fabrics made of jute fibres are carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable. Its an extremely eco friendly textile.
It grows best in warm, humid climates. India, Bangladesh, and China are the main producers of jute.
When the plants are about 15-20 cm tall, they are thinned out. About four months after planting, harvesting begins. The stalks are cut off close to the ground. The stalks are tied into bundles and retted (soaked) in water for about 20 days.
This process softens the tissues and permits the fibres to be separated. After retting, the bundles are beat on the root end with a mallet to start the fibers which are wrapped around the fingers and the stems are jerked back and forth in the water to separate the fibers. The fibres are then stripped from the stalks in long strands and washed in clear, running water. Then they are hung up or spread on thatched roofs to dry. After 2-3 days of drying, the fibres are tied into bundles.
Jute is graded (rated) according to its colour, strength, and fibre length. The fibres are off-white to brown, and 1-4 m long. Jute is pressed into bales for shipment to manufacture jute yarn which is then later woven into jute fabrics.
Jute processing is concentrated in Kolkata,India
