Jute, the 'Golden Fiber' as it is called, is a plant that yields a fiber used for sacking and cordage. Known as the raw material for sacks the world over, jute is truly one of the most versatile fibers gifted to man by nature that finds various uses in the form of Handicrafts. Next to cotton, jute is the cheapest and most important of all textile fibers.

Jute is the cheapest lignocellulosic, long vegetable bast fibre available annually in the world. Jute cultivation provides work for millions of farmers, landless laborers, industrial workers and provides jobs for many others, indirectly.

The Versatile Option

Rapid expansion of jute into a wide range of life style consumer products has been made possible due to the versatility of Jute. Spinning of high quality yarns and weaving of light-weight fine-textured fabrics of uniform structure in exotic colors and designs are made in both jute factories and hand loom sectors. With vastly improved bleaching, dyeing and finishing processes and by blending jute with other natural or synthetic fibers, the finished jute products now ensure feel, luster, abrasion resistance and aesthetic appeal.

Jute Handicrafts

The traditional excellence of Indian craftsmen & artisans is reflected in a wide range of jute handicrafts of utility, decoration and novelty. A beautiful mosaic of Jute handicrafts that comprises of carpets & floor coverings, wall coverings & window dressings, table mats & table-wares, swings, hammocks, office bags, table covers, table mats, pen and pencil stand, wall hangings & room decor, bedspreads & bedroom slippers, blankets & shawls, skirts & jackets, shopping & travel bags and a host of other home textile made ups.

The jute handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh are a unique blend of aesthetic sense and utility. Craftsmen at Hasta Shilp Vikas Nigam have experimented with the fiber. Every artifact emanates a unique charm exclusive to it and the goods so produced are marketed through the MP state emporium, "Mriganayani". Bhopal, Raipur, Indore and Gwalior are major centers for producing jute handicrafts.

CHANGING SCENARIO

Today, jute can be defined as an eco-friendly natural fiber with versatile application prospects ranging from low value geo-textiles to high value carpet, apparel, composites, decoratives, upholstery furnishings, fancy non-wovens for new products, decorative color boards etc. Jute with its unique versatility, rightfully deserves to be branded as the "fiber for the future".

In coming decades, a number of jute mills and mini-jute plants will be seen engaged in a big way in production of jute and jute blended yarns, specially of finer accounts, through various routes of yarn manufacturing. The uses of jute are manifold although the traditional use remains in packing as sacking, hessian and carpet backing. These light weight yarns are to be used in value added textile applications like upholstery, furnishing, garments and bags etc are just a few examples.

Indian Jute Industry

Jute is being cultivated in India for centuries. the landmark in the history of jute industry in India dates back to 1854 when the first jute mill as set up by George Auckland at Rishra in Hoogly district of West Bengal. Jute is predominantly a crop of eastern India. The major jute growing states are West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh.

Currently the production of the fibre in India is around 100 lakh bales and about 73 jute mills are operating in the country at present. Besides, there are several small scale industries in the decentralized sector producing handicrafts, decoratives, twines, pulp & paper from jute and allied fibers and particle board from jute stick.

Industry Milestones

01. The largest producer of raw jute in the world.
02. The biggest manufacturer of jute goods in the world.
03. The capacity to manufacture the widest range of products, tailored to customers' requirements.
04. Comprehensive and world class research and development facilities in the area of jute agriculture , product development and machinery design.
05. Highly quality conscious employing most modern facilities for TQC .
06. Export history of raw jute and jute manufactures dates back to over 100 years.
07. Highly developed infrastructure like ports, shipping facilities etc.
08. A vibrant jute industry oriented to provide maximum customer satisfaction.
09. Indian Jute Industry has the capacity to produce and meet the International demand for food grade Jute bags and cloth.
10. Food grade Jute Bags and cloth manufactured in India - are a boon in the context of global environmental and ecological concern. Indian food grade jute bags have a twin edged advantage: preservation of food in the most natural way.

Jute Growing Areas

Jute is a rainy season crop and hence sown from March to May according to rainfall and type of land, and harvested from June to September depending on whether the sowings are early or late.

Major Growing Areas

Jute thrives best in damp heat, and the climatic conditions prevalent in West Bengal in India are well suited for its cultivation. Indian states ideally suitable for the cultivation of jute are:
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Assam
- Orissa
- Uttar Pradesh

Mesta, or Kenif, botanically known as Hibiscus Cannabinus, is also grown in these areas as a textile fiber. Mesta is a coarser, more brittle fiber, and is used by the jute mills in admixture with jute to obtain certain desired properties.

Research & Development

Research and development by reputed organizations in India, have led to the strengthening of the natural attributes of jute. With technological support coupled with government's developmental efforts, the golden fiber, today, has entered into a varied range of applications generating employment, contributing to sustainable human development and leading to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Intensive R & D efforts through various research institutes mainly funded by Government of India have resulted in remarkable breakthrough in product diversification. Prominent Products are:

a. Hydro carbon-free Jute Products for packing food grade products like cocoa, coffee, shelled nuts etc.

b. Major R & D works in DREF Spinning System.

c. Production of jute blended yarns with jute as the major component-using Jute/Viscose, Jute/Acrylic, and Jute/Cotton--jute content varying from 60 to 70% by weight. Such yarns suitable for blankets, shawls, pullovers and as also thick dress materials.

d. Production of fine blended yarns using Jute/Cotton, Jute/Silk, Jute/Wool etc. for apparel use Jute Content is 30-40%.

Jute based fabrics used particularly in areas of furnishing, upholstery, carpets, blankets and other home textiles. R & D Institutions have developed Jute Reinforced Composites in the form of flexible, semi rigid sheet and rigid board to substitute wood, timber, and plywood.

UNDP jute program has also facilitated diversification of jute sector by developing new technology, promotion of employment opportunities by encouraging new entrepreneurs to set up production units and development of indigenous machine manufacturing sector. Some of the on-going projects are use of jute for paper production; jute based needle-punched carpets, development of multi-component yarn from wool, jute and other fibers for floor coverings blankets and knitwear.

Diversification

In order to enable jute-based products to make successful inroad into the textiles sector, jute has been largely experimented with. In view of challenge faced from cheaper prices of synthetic substitutes, more thrust has been given on diversification of jute products.

Major thrust areas of value-added diversified jute products include Jute Handlooms and Handicrafts, Non-woven and Industrial Application, Jute Rigid Packaging, Decorative products and Geo-Jute etc.

Reference
Web site: www.jute-industry.com

Back