What is jute ?
Jute fibre comes from a plant belonging to the mallow family. From this plant, fibres are extracted that can be used in fabric production. It is also known as "golden fibre" due to its characteristic shine. Jute is also the name given to these textile components and is, along with cotton, one of the most widely used natural materials in the world due to its accessibility. It is one of the longest natural fibres and has various applications in the textile industry.
It has a yellowish-white, yellow, or brown colour, but it can be easily dyed in other shades. The main producers are mainly in South Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh, where about 95% of the production takes place. Furthermore, it is extracted from the plant's bark, is natural, and has a silky shine. The cultivation is annual and lasts about 120 days. Seeds are usually planted in April/May and July/August. It is a straightforward dryland crop that requires minimal fertilizers.
Jute is found in low tropical areas with humidity ranging from 60% to 90%. For cultivation, a warm and humid climate is necessary, and the soil should be alluvial. It requires ample water during the growth phase, thriving only in places where average rainfall is around 75-100 mm. Filaments produced by these plants are long (1 to 4 metres), silky, shiny, and soft, composed of cellulose and lignin. They are extracted through a retting process, which can be chemical or biological. Biological retting is usually preferred due to the cost of the chemical process.
The process takes place in water and on strips, using techniques that allow immersing the stems in water to separate the fibres before extraction. Proper execution of this procedure is crucial; otherwise, the plant material may become sticky, lacklustre, and be challenging to spin.
What is jute used for? What are its uses?
Jute is an extremely versatile fibre, usable on its own or mixed with other materials. It replaced hemp and linen for jute sacks during the Industrial Revolution. Many articles are manufactured from this raw material. In the textile world, jute is found in threads, fabric, ropes, the backing of carpets, or blended with other components. Its great breathability, tensile strength, and rustic aesthetic make it prevalent in decorative items like curtains, carpets, tapestries, or chair covers. It is also widely present in the promotional gifts' industry, especially for bags and backpacks.
In packaging, it is commonly used for agricultural produce sacks as well as rigid packaging and reinforced plastic. Something surprising is its use as a by-product in cosmetics, medicines, or paints.
What are the benefits of jute material?
It is 100% biodegradable, recyclable, does not harm the environment, and is therefore sustainable. It boasts great versatility and an elegant yet rustic aesthetic. Being a rain-fed crop, it only needs rainwater to grow. It can be cultivated in arid lands and contributes to enriching soil fertility for subsequent harvests. It is a fast-growing plant, and its combustion does not produce toxic gases. Its carbon footprint is minimal due to its CO2 assimilation several times greater than that of trees.
Another material benefit is its high resistance; for example, sacks made from this fibre are used to store and transport large quantities of objects, although it is less durable and more fragile than linen or hemp. In addition to having insulating and antistatic properties, it has low thermal conductivity and moderate moisture retention.
Jute products
As mentioned earlier, it has great versatility and is found in many objects. The fabric's aesthetic, combined with its strength and breathability, makes it perfect for many accessories such as drawstring backpacks or tote bags. It adapts to any colour due to its easy dyeing. Not only that, but you can also find earrings and various decorative items for your home.
With the need to reduce environmental impact, ecological materials are gaining weight. Companies and consumers are increasingly aware of the need for eco-friendly products. But it's not just about the product; it's also about the packaging, as this will help provide special presentations for corporate gifts. There is a trend among companies to use eco-friendly packaging. They are aware that the first impression with customers is crucial. If the packaging is attractive and reusable, people can keep it and give it a new use, such as with a jute gift bag, which also offers the option of customization. So, if you engrave your logo, it will increase your visibility and add value to your brand.
All of this is compounded by the fact that offering eco-friendly packaging will help reduce our carbon footprint and associate our brand with positive values. When customizing gifts, it is important to consider that jute is quite porous, so the design must have well-defined outlines.
And the texts we choose should use a bold font, as with a thin font, details can be lost in printing. A marking technique that yields good results on this type of gift is screen printing. Over time, there has been an increase in the number of products made from jute. And it is often used as a substitute for plastic bags in supermarkets.
What is the cost of jute?
Manufactured items are affordable for all budgets, which may be surprising considering their natural origin, respect for the planet, and the costly production process that involves manual extraction. As mentioned earlier, it is one of the most affordable natural fibres alongside cotton.
