Jute is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the jute plant composed of cellulose and lignin.The long, soft and shiny fibers are spun into coarse, strong threads that are then put to a multitude of uses. Jute is second to cotton in terms of production. It’s also referred to as the ‘golden fiber’ due to its color and cost-effectiveness. It is an extremely breathable fabric with very high moisture wicking abilities.The largest producer of jute in the world is India. Jute fabric is considered an extremely sustainable fabric due to its qualities and the positive impact it has on the environment during production.
The Story of Jute: From Ancient Textile to Sustainable Material
- Jute first made its appearance during the Mughal rule in the Indian Subcontinent.
- The Indians used it to make ropes, twines, and even clothes.
- The Chinese of that era used it to make paper
- The British East India Company started exporting Jute in 1793 and introduced Europe to it.
- By 1855 Calcutta (India) became the hub for jute export
- After the fall of the British empire, the Jute barons left the country and Indian businessmen took over. Bangladesh also set up its jute manufacturing plants.
The Unique Properties of Jute: A Strong, Durable, and Sustainable Fiber
- One of the important aspects of jute are its strength and durability
- Besides versatility, jute has several environmental advantages
- The jute plant requires minimal fertilizers and pesticides
- Jute emits oxygen during production: Every hectare of jute crops absorbs approximately 15 tons of carbon dioxide and releases 11 tons of oxygen.
The Process of Making Jute Fabric: From Harvest to Finished Product
- Jute is made from 2 plant variations of jute: white jute and dark jute
- The jute plant requires warm, humid climates and special growing conditions
- Jute fiber comes from the stem and outer skin of the jute plant, which grows in tall, single stems.
- The plant needs to grow for about four to six months, after which time harvesting begins. Harvest typically takes place after the plant has flowered.
- After the stems are harvested from the plant, they are subjected to ‘retting’, wherein they are steeped into slow running water for 10 to 30 days in order for bacteria to dissolve the gummy materials holding the fibers together.
- After this, the non-fibrous matter of jute is scraped off in a process called ‘stripping’, and then the fibers are separated by beating the stem with a paddle.
- The separated fibers are then washed, dried, graded, and sent off to jute mills, where they are further processed to make jute yarn.
The Cost of Jute Fabric: A Sustainable Choice at an Affordable Price
- Jute fabric is one of the world’s least expensive textiles.
- Most types of this fabric cost around $1 per yard. This price is comparable to cotton, and it is significantly less expensive than many types of synthetic fabrics.
The Different Types of Jute Fabric: A Variety of Options for Every Need
1. White Jute: As its name suggests, white jute is lighter in color than other strains of this fiber, but this type of jute is also less durable than its cousins.
2. Tossa Jute: Tossa jute is the main type of jute in production today. In color, tossa jute is more brown than off-white, and its fibers are just as long and strong as any other type of jute in existence.
3. Mesta Jute: Mesta jute is a hybrid of white jute and tossa jute.
4. Jute Cuttings: Jute cuttings are byproducts of jute production. They are the roughest and least desirable parts of the jute plant, but they can still be used to make rudimentary textiles.
Additional Read: The Benefits of Jute
Post-Production Environmental Impact of Jute: Minimizing Waste and Protecting the Planet
- Jute plant is renewable and the leftover roots and leaves that fall off the plant enrich the soil and increase its fertility.
- The expired fiber from jute can be recycled more than once, making every aspect of jute— from seed to expired fiber—sustainable.
