Jute - The Golden Fibre

Gunny bags, tote bags and Ropes are the first products that come to mind when we talk about Jute. Jute is known for its industrial uses and is an important cash crop in India. It’s also called the ‘Golden Fibre’. Let’s find out a bit more about Jute.

What is Jute Fabric?

Jute is a long fibre produced from the Jute plant. These plants can grow upto a height of 10 feet. The fibres are separated from the stem. These long and silky fibres are then spun into yarns which are then used in different applications. Jute plants require warm weather and predictable rains to grow. They require very less pesticides and fertilizers. If Jute is grown the right way, i.e. using crop rotation, it can help in increasing the fertility of the soil. West Bengal, Bihar and Assam in India and Bangladesh are major producers of Jute. India is the largest producer of Jute followed by Bangladesh. Despite this, India has to import some amount of Jute from Bangladesh.

Characteristics

Jute is a highly breathable fabric but doesn’t retain much heat. It is strong and durable. Jute biodegrades very quickly. These fibres can also be recycled and reused. Jute is considered to be eco-friendly in all stages of its life cycle. It is relatively inexpensive. Jute is a rough fibre and hence doesn’t have a lot of applications in garments. Although nowadays some jackets and sweaters are being manufactured using Jute.

Uses

Jute is used to make Bags (Tote Bags, Gunny Bags), ropes, upholstery, carpets, curtains. Gunny bags are used extensively in agricultural commodity packaging. Jute is also being used nowadays in artisanal furniture. Jute is used as Geotextile. Geotextiles are light woven materials made from natural fabrics that is used in agricultural land to control soil erosion, protect seeds and control weed.