Jute - The Eco-Friendly Fiber For Modern Products

Jute, the 'Golden fiber' as commonly known, is theproducts. Jute-blended carpets and rugs,
second most important fiber after cottondecorative wall-hangings and tapestries, garden
because of its cheap pricing and eco-friendlypot hangings, decorative hand bags, bed spreads,
attributes. Partially a textile fiber and partially acushion covers, shopping bags, etc, etc....the range
wood, it falls under the category of Ligno-cellulosicof products is ever increasing and under
fiber.continuous improvisation.
As a trade the history of jute products can beThe Indian jute sector comprises organized
traced back to the 17th century i.e. during theindustry as well as a large number of cottage
British rule. The Tatas, the Birlas, the Bajajs andunits providing employment to thousands of
the Mittals - the legendary business tycoons ofpeople. They create a myriad of utilitarian
India had as their first business, jute products, toproducts made of jute which reflect the traditional
be exported and imported. The largest producerexcellence of Indian craftsmanship.
of jute products in the world - and the honorThe increasing popularity of the products is
goes to India.basically for its low cost which makes it easily
High moisture absorption capacity, flexibility andaccessible to the poor citizenry. The low price,
drainage properties are the features characterizinghowever, never compromises with quality and
jute as an eco-friendly fiber and so jute productsfashion. The gorgeously embroidered jute apparels
are considered as ecologically acceptable by thecan make nice replicas of silk and can give the
environmentalists. Advantages enjoyed by juteother fiber industries a run for money!
products over other fibers are abundantThe Indian Jute Industries Research Association
availability and bio-degradable properties.(IJIRA) in association with Indian jute industry has
Bengal- the name conventionally attached torecently developed food grade jute bags and
products. Since the ancient times the women folkcloth called Hydrocarbon free jute bags
of Bengal have been using jute products, basicallyconforming to international standard specifications.
for household storage. Today, Bengal is the chiefThese bags and cloth have a large demand in
manufacture of the products in India.export markets for packing cocoa beans, coffee
For centuries jute has been associated withbeans, shelled nuts and other food products.
flexible packaging, specially sacks, shopping bagsFurniture is the latest forthcoming area in the
and coarse door mats. And that's it - there endsdomain of jute products. Decorative jute bags;
the domain of jute products. Jute jewelries,jute slippers, shoes and non-reusable slip-ons; and
apparels, and wall hangings were out of humanwall hangings are gaining popularity world wide. Be
range of imagination then. But in today's dateit conserving the soil and environment or in
multiple and versatile jute products are creating aapplications like civil engineering or packaging and
global market, resurrecting after it lost tofashion industry, the time has come for this
synthetic packaging during the 1970s.natural eco friendly fiber to take over with the
In its 'second coming', the range has increasedideal solutions for saving the modern world.
manifold and it spread from the packagingOne of the most valuable natural resources of
industry to the fashion industry. Designer sarees,India, jute is a truly versatile fiber and that is the
salwar-kameezes, jewelries and foot wears areessence behind the popularity of jute products in
the new incarnations of the traditional jutethe world scenario.