Jute Fibre
Introduction
• Jute is a ligno-cellulosic bast fibre. [Bast fibres are obtained from stem or bark
of certain vegetable plants. Jute fibre is obtained from the bark of Jute plants. This is
the most important tropical fibre to meet world’s demand as cheaper packing materials
for various commodities]
• It is also known as Pat, Kosta, Nalita, or Bimli
• Mesta (Kenaf): Some countries where Jute cannot be cultivated have since been
trying to grow a suitable substitute. As a result “Kenaf” has been produced in
certain parts of America as Jute Substitute. This “Kenaf” resembles jute fibre in
appearance and physical structure but it is unsuitable for use as warp yarn in the
manufacture of cloth due to its poor strength. Therefore Jute fibre is still remains
unrivalled for the manufacture of cheaper Bags, Sacks, packs, Carpets etc.
• It is a composite fibre, many ultimate fibres are cemented together
by lignin and build a long fibre.
• It is the second in the world’s production of textile fibers after
cotton.
• Jute plants clean the air by consuming large quantities of CO2,
which is the main cause of the greenhouse effect. One hectare of
jute plants can consume about 15 tons of CO2 from atmosphere
and release about 11 tons of oxygen in the 100 days of the jute-
growing season.
• Fact: CO2 assimilation rate of jute is several times higher than
trees.
• Jute is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable thus, environment
friendly.
• The cultivation of jute improves soil fertility status by shedding its
leaves in the field.
• For its color and high cash value it is known as “Golden Fibre”.
Origin
• It is produced primarily from plants in the genus Corchorus, which
was once classified with the family Tiliaceae, and more recently
with Malvaceae.
• There are 40 species of jute in where following species are common:
• The primary source of the fiber is Corchorus olitorius (Dark jute or
Tossa), but it is considered inferior to Corchorus capsularis (White
Jute).
Major jute growing countries
Bangladesh is the largest cultivator of raw jute. (65-70%)
• India (West Bengal, Bihar, Odissa, Assam, Bombay and Uttar-pradesh)
• China
• Indo-china
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Africa
• Brazil
• Japan
Major jute growing area in BD
Although jute is grown in almost all the districts of Bangladesh.
• Faridpur,
• Tangail,
• Jessore,
• Dhaka,
• Sirajganj,
• Bogra, and
• Jamalpur
are considered the better growing areas.
Production and Processing of Fiber
• Jute is a rainy season crop, sown from March to May according to
rainfall and type of land.
• Jute requires a warm and humid climate with temperature between
24ċ to 37ċ.
• The soil of good depth, containing salts from annual floods, is best
for jute.
• Rainfall of over 40”. This rainfall should be distributed that while the
young plants have sufficient moisture, the bulk of the fall should take
place when the crop is more matured.
Stages of Production & Processing
• Cultivation
-Land Preparation
-Sowing
-Interculture (Raking, Thinning and Weeding)
• Harvesting (Cutting)
• Retting
• Extraction/Stripping
• Washing
• Drying
• Bailing & Packing
• Storage
Cultivation Process
Land Preparation:
• Jute seeds are small. Therefore a very fine land preparation is
necessary.
• The country plough made of wood is used for ploughing in the
direction of North-South (First Ploughing) then of East-West (Second
Ploughing).
• This ploughing is repeated 6 to 8 times.
• Between ploughing, the land is laddered to break down the lumps of
earth and level the ground.
Cultivation Process
Sowing:
There are two ways of sowing methods in the jute cultivation.
a) Line Sowing Method: Sowing should be done preferably in lines.
b) Broadcasting Sowing Method: If broadcast, which is still in vogue,
the thinning of plants may be done at a later stage.
Cultivation Process
Interculture:
Raking: It helps uprooting the weeds.
Thinning: Thinning for removing excess jute plants for better jute
growing.
Weeding: Raking is followed by hand weeding.
Harvesting Process
• Jute is harvested any time between 120 days to 150 days when the
flowers have been shed.
• Early harvesting gives good healthy fibers.
• The harvested plants are left in the field for 3 to 7 days for the leaves
to shed (means leaves got dried up).
Retting Process
• Retting is a process in which fibers get
loosened due to decomposition of hard cell
walls by the action of bacteria.
• The bundles are steeped in water at least
60cm to 90cm depth.
Retting process is complete in 15 to 20 days depending upon the temperature of
water. 800 to 850 F temperatures is favorable for retting process. At lower
temperature and in running water retting process may take about one month. To
judge the right time for stripping the fibres from the retted plants, it is necessary to
make periodic checks on samples from different parts of the pond or where the plants
have been kept for retting. When it is found that fibres can be separated from the
stem at ease; stripping, washing and drying of the fibres should be done as quickly as
possible.
Stripping Process (Fiber Extraction)
• Stripping is the process of removing the fibers from the stalk after the
completion of retting. Fibers are removed from the stalk by any one
of the following methods:
• 1. Single plants are taken and their fibers are taken off.
• 2. Taken off a handful of stalks, breaking it in a to and fro motion in
water.
Washing Process
• Extracted fibers are washed in clean water.
Drying Process
• The fibers are hung on bamboo railings for sun drying for 2-3 days.
• After drying, the fibers are ready to be sold in the market.
Bailing & Packing Process
• The bailing of jute fiber is done according to grading system.
• Packing into Kutcha bales about 250 pounds for use in mills or jute
market.
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