Hessian/burlap is used in various industries for diverse purposes. It plays an especially significant role in the packaging industry. It can also be combined with other vegetable fibers to make ropes or nets.
The most common burlap products are sacks, which can store rice, potatoes, etc. Burlap fabric is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of industries, including home décor, art and crafts, agriculture, and more. Various other applications of burlap fabric include emergency flood response, art, building material, beekeeping, flooring applications, etc.
What is Hessian Cloth?
Hessian Cloth/ Burlap is a rough, loosely woven high-strength fabric made from jute plant or sisal fibers.
- The first step in manufacturing the Burlap fabric is growing jute. Jute is mostly grown in West India and East Pakistan, where it finds its most suitable climate to grow.
- Classified by its color, we have three types of burlap (jute), namely, the white from Corchorus capsularis (lighter and less durable than others). Tossa from Corchorus olitorius is the main type and is more fibrous and brown than the others. Mesta (a combination of white and Tossa jute) and jute cuttings (unwanted and roughest part of the jute plant, but can be used to make rudimentary textiles).
- When the jute plants begin to shed their leaves, it means that they are ready for harvest, and they are cut. The jute fibers are obtained from the stalk’s inner stem and outer skin.
- The cut stems are gathered and steeped or soaked in water. And when it becomes soft, the tissues are removed from its skin and used to make small bundles.
- The process of removing the tissues from the stem and skin of the jute stalk is called retting. This process makes the stalks softer and makes it easier to separate the fibrous material from the unproductive material using the hands.
- The fibers are washed and sundried, ready for transport to the mill, where they will be further processed. Here, fiber blending and yarn creation convert the strips into burlap. The yarn created is treated and thinned, then woven and twisted into the burlap fabric.
- In the mill, the jute strips are processed into burlap fabric that you can purchase from a store. The mill will group the fibers by strength, color, thickness, etc., and this is how they will be bundled into long strings to be blended. It is then treated and pressed to reduce its largeness, then thinned again.
- The yarns now undergo roving, where the fibers are twisted and spun. The yarns can be subjected to several chemical processes to make them water or fire-resistant.
- After this, a finished yarn is formed, and depending on the buyer’s choice; it remains in spools, flat textiles, or cups of yarn.
- Jute yarn can also be made using automated machines, although most communities that produce jute prefer spinning wheels.
- Jute fabric that will be made into clothing will undergo softening techniques. However, jute fabric produced for industrial use remains in its original form.
Characteristics and Strength of Hessian
Some of the key characteristics of Burlap include:
- Strength: The tensile strength and resistance of the burlap fabric is one of the properties that make it stand out for its sturdiness. This feature makes it durable, withstanding stress and time because of the rigid construction of the burlap fibers.
- Weather resistance: You can wet and dry burlap fabric without fear of losing strength. So, it is suitable for areas with harsh weather conditions since it can withstand vagaries due to humidity and water.
- Low cost: In addition to its other interesting features, the burlap fabric is cheap to produce.
- Sustainable: Burlap is made from jute, which is one of the most eco-friendly agricultural products to grow. Jute gives back more than it takes. A hectare of jute consumes 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide and releases 11 tonnes of oxygen in 120 days of growth.
Applications of Hessian Cloth
- Agriculture and Erosion Control : This fabric can be used to make gunny sacks to ship products such as cement, cotton, wool, and agricultural products. Since the fabric is breathable, it reduces the risk of spoilage or condensation especially for food products. Additionally it is a strong fabric and more resistant to tearing. During times of flood burlap sacks are filled with sand to create sandbag barriers, thereby preventing water from entering into certain places. They are also used to prevent soil erosion. They are filled with mulch or other materials and placed in areas where soil erosion is a concern.
- Packaging and Transportation: Hessian cloth bags are regularly used for packaging agricultural products such as tea, coffee, potatoes, wheat etc. They are also used for transporting industrial products. Besides this bulk goods such as construction materials such as construction material, sand, and gravel are transported using burlap bags.
- Decor and Crafting: Burlap is now even being used to make handbags and pouches. Their rustic appearance gives them a unique aesthetic appeal and makes them an ideal packaging for several products including candles, tea, coffee and artisanal products. Some other items that burlap fabric can be used to make include table mats, curtains, ribbons and bows, wreaths, upholstery, wrappers, pot plant covers and wall hangings.
Advantages of Choosing Hessian Cloth
- Eco-friendly and Biodegradable: Hessian is made from the fibers of jute cloth. Jute, which is also known as the golden cloth, grows quickly and requires a very low amount of fertilizer and pesticide. The water it requires to grow is minimal as well.
- Cost Effective and Versatile: Burlap is inexpensive as compared to other materials used for similar applications. It is widely available, durable and can be reused. As discussed earlier, it can be used for multiple applications across various sectors, making it an extremely versatile option.
Hessian vs Other Textiles
Hessian fabric is coarse, strong and extremely durable. It is primarily used for storage and where the strength of the fabric is of key importance. Other commonly used textiles include cotton, polyester, nylon, and some other blended fabrics. Each of them have their unique properties. When it comes to strength, durability, and versatility, hessian fabric aces.However when it comes to finesse, hessian cannot compete with other textiles as it is thick and coarse. Therefore it cannot be used for clothes. It is also one of the most sustainable choices. The production process of jute itself has a very low environmental impact, which is now a huge concern in the textile industry.
Sustainable Production of Hessian
Jute production and Hessian Manufacturing: Jute requires warm and humid conditions and is mostly grown in Eastern india and Bangladesh. The jute seeds are sown in march. Jute is harvested within 120-150 days. The harvested plants are kept in the field for 3 days so that the leaves are shed. They then go through the process of retting, followed by stripping (extracting the fiber), washing, drying, bailing, production and storage. Hessian is packed into Kutcha bales of about 250 pounds for use in mills or jute markets and the bales are stored.
The raw jute bales then undergo a selection process where they are assorted according to their intended use. After the selection process the jute bales are carried to the softening section.Breaker rolls are again carded and silvers are made. Two or three silvers together are mixed and stretched to reduce weight per linear measure to suit spinning. Spinning is where silvers are elongated further and fibers are twisted to impart strength. Spun yarns are bound into bobbins. The basic purpose of spinning is to convert fibers into yarn which can then be woven. The woven fabric then undergoes dampening and clandering. This is followed by Lapping and bailing, where the fabric is flattened and pressed according to buyers needs.
Customization and Printing on Hessian
Hessian fabric can be dyed and customized to the requirements of the customers. At Ludlow Jute we have in-house dyeing facilities, and we can dye the fabric as per customers’ requirements, following a sample, a swatch, or an internationally-accepted color code, such as Pantone. We put the branding and logos on jute sacks for our clients. Apart from a regular weave, we are capable of producing weave patterns such as basket-weave, twill, herringbone, leno, checked, and striped fabrics.
Care and Maintenance of Hessian
Tips for cleaning and storing hessian cloth: Hessian cloth needs to be cared for to preserve its longevity and usage. Burlap needs to be washed gently and not soaked for prolonged periods. To take care of odors, lay the burlap item outside and sprinkle it with baking soda, turning it and adding more baking soda after a few hours. For more stubborn odors, lay the item out in sunlight and treat it with vinegar or lemon juice. Before storing any type of burlap, make sure you have cleaned and dried it completely. Burlap should be stored in a cool, dry environment since it readily draws moisture from the air and can mold easily even in environments with only a little humidity.
Additional Read: What is Jute Fabric?
Conclusion: Embracing the Strength and Versatility of Hessian Cloth
- The Timeless Appeal of Hessian: The earliest usage of Hessian fabric can be tracked down to the early 19th century in India. Back then, Hessian cloth was typically used for carpeting and rugs. From there, the fabric was exported around the world where it would eventually land in Jamaica, North America and eventually everywhere else.
- Utilizing Hessian in Sustainable and Creative Ways: Being highly durable, hessian can be used in a variety of ways. As discussed earlier, it is used in a variety of industries, from agriculture, construction to home decor. Besides the traditional uses, there are several innovative ways to use hessian. These include DIY accessories, containers for plants, root wrappers for transplanting plants, sunshades, and much more.
