Jute Related FAQ

1. How does Jute look like?
   Jute is soft , flexible  and  hard-wearing  bast  fibre  . Jute fibres are long , lustrous , resilient and softer to touch . It has a natural colour in light tan to brown range and its fibre can be bleached and can be dyed well.

    

2. Who are the main Jute Producing Countries? 
   The  leading  world's  jute producing  countries are India , Bangladesh , China and Thailand . India is the world's largest producer of raw jute and jute goods , contributing to over 50 percent and 40 percent respectively of global production.

3. In which part of India Jute is Cultivated?  
   The cultivation of jute in India is mainly confined to the eastern region of the country . The jute crop is grown in  nearly  83  districts  of seven states -  West Bengal ,  Assam ,  Orissa , Bihar , Uttar Pradesh , Tripura and Meghalaya . West Bengal alone accounts for over 50 percent raw jute production.

4. What type of Climate and Soil are required to grow Jute?    
   Jute crop requires humid  climate  with  temperature  fluctuating between 24 degree Celsius and 38 degree Celsius. Minimum  rainfall  required  for  jute  cultivationis  1000  mm . New  grey  alluvial  soil of  good  depth receiving  silt  from  annual  floods is most suitable  for  jute  growth. However, jute  is grown widely in sandy looms and clay loams.

5. How Jute is Cultivated?  
   Jute  is  generally  sown  during March  to May depending  on  the nature of  land  and atmospheric condition. About 90 to 100 days after sowing and jute  plants attain desired length from 8 to 12 feet high , are cut with stickles  close to the ground . The stems are then made into bundles  and left on field for 3 to 4 days . These bundles are then  steeped in  water for retting for , about 3 weeks . During this period, fibres get loose from the stem of the plant and are separated manually. These fibres are washed thoroughly in clean water , dried under sun and made into bundles.

6. What are the Different Grade of Raw Jute?   
   Raw jute is classified according to quality of jute and its application. The fine quality white raw jute is graded as W1, W2, W3, -- to W8. The Tossa raw jute is graded from TD1, TD2, -- to TD8. Mesta raw jute is grades as Mesta Top, Mesta Mid, Mesta Bottom, etc.Jute mills and jute brokers also grade the raw jute according to jute growing  regions , as Assam1 , Assam2 to Assam8 , Bimli1 to Bimli8 , Jungli1 to Jungli8 etc . The lowest grade  is termed as cuttings.

7. What are the basic Jute Products ?  
   The basic  jute  products  manufactured in jute mills are : Hessian Cloths , Sacking Cloths , Jute Yarn , Carpet  Backing  Cloths (CBC) , Bags , Twines , D.W. Tarpaulin/ P.W. canvas , Shopping bags , Geotextiles and Gaps ,  Jute Mats and floor coverings , Tobacco Sheets , Carpets etc.

8. What is Kenaf ? 
   Kenaf  is  a fast  growing  plant  of  the  bast  fibre  group - species  Hibiscus cannabinus . It is usually known as Mesta. Kenaf requires a warm , moist climate and grows in well-drained , sandy loam soils . Kenaf is less demanding on the soil than jute and may be grown in rotation with other crops. The fibre strands, about 3 feet long, are pale in colour and lustrous leading producers include India, Bangladesh, Thailand and China. It is mainly used for cordage, canvas, sacking and other products, such as, newsprint and carpet-backing yarn.

9. What is Jute Geotextiles?  
   Jute Geotextile is a variety of jute available in woven and non-woven fabrics used for natural options to save the environment. Jute being an eco-friendly have the distinguishing features such as: High moisture absorption capacity, flexibility and drainage properties. Geo jute is used in erosion control, separation, filtration and drainage in civil engineering work, and agricultural uses. It also has application in rural road pavement construction and agro plant mulching.

10. What is Jute Diversification?  
    Today, jute has become versatile in the shape of a wider range of consumer products. Utilization of jute for manufacture of market worthy products has opened up large opportunity for employment generation. A wide range of diversified jute products are developed every day. These diversified jute products include fancy jute bags, soft luggage, footwear, door panels, check sarees, wide range of furnishing, gift items, table lamps, floor decor, wall decor and many more items. To promote and popularize jute diversification work, National Jute Board, Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, acts as the apex body for promotion of the products in India and abroad.

11. What is Burlap?  
    The hessian, a finer quality of jute is called Burlap. Burlap bags are used to ship and store grain, fruits and vegetables, flour, sugar, animal feeds and other agricultural commodities.

12. When the first Jute Mill was established in India?    
    The first jute mill was established at Rishra (Bengal - now in West Bengal), on the river Hooghly near Calcutta in the year 1855, by Mr. George Aclend. Mr. George Ackland brought jute spinning machinery from Dundee (U.K). In 1959, the first power driven weaving factory was set up.

13. What is Earth Floors?   
    Earth Floors are mattings, area rugs and runners made from jute fiber. They are produced by expert weaver's and craftmen in India with rich colours a and authentic designs. There is a long tradition of making Earth Floors with beautiful and attractive design of Jute rugs in the country.

14. What happen if the Earth Floors get wet?   
    The mattings or rugs can be demoistured as soon as they get wet. They can also be dry cleaned.

15. Is the Earth Floors fire safe?  
    Usually, the Earth Floors, rugs or matting, are treated with fire retardant applications to develop fire resistance.

16. What are advantages of using Jute fabrics over Polypropylene / Polythylene? 
    Jute is environment friendly and completely biodegradable, while synthetics posses a number of hazards. The toxic effects of synthetics are so serious - both the production and disposal aspects of it - that many western countries have banned it for use in packing of food products.
    Jute bags are indigenously processed products while synthetic bags are manufactured from polyester granules whose manufacture poses a number of hazards. The obnoxious gases, particles and volatile organic compounds emitted creates pollution and slow poisons the earth during its disposals.
    Jute bags have porosity, easily withstand the high temperature and are much stronger than poly sacks. Jute bags can be recycled and re-used and can be easily repaired.