Jute

Jute is a long, soft, shiny bast fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced primarily from plants in the genus Corchorus, which was once classified with the family Tiliaceae, and more recently with Malvaceae. The primary source of the fiber is Corchorus olitorius, but it is considered inferior to Corchorus capsularis. "Jute" is the name of the plant or fiber used to make burlap, hessian or gunny cloth.

Cultivation

Jute is a rain-fed crop with little need for fertilizer or pesticides, in contrast to cotton's heavy requirements. Production is concentrated in Bangladesh, India, and some other countries. It is a bast fiber, like hemp, and flax.

Uses

Jute is used in the manufacture of a number of fabrics, such as hessian cloth, sacking, scrim, carpet backing cloth (CBC), and canvas. Hessian, lighter than sacking, is used for bags, wrappers, wall-coverings, upholstery, and home furnishings. Sacking, a fabric made of heavy jute fibers, has its use in the name. CBC made of jute comes in two types. Primary CBC provides a tufting surface, while secondary CBC is bonded onto the primary backing for an overlay.

Environmental Profile

Jute is a highly sustainable, eco-friendly fiber. It is biodegradable and can be cultivated without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. This makes it a preferable choice for environmental sustainability.

See Also

• Burlap
• Hessian (cloth)
• Gunny cloth
• Corchorus olitorius
• Corchorus capsularis

References

Jute Resources
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