JUTEValue added products

JUTE

• was an important foreign exchange earner for the producing countries during '60s

• open up new possibilities to help to improve the economic conditions of farmers (including women) and workers in producing countries

• However, bulk handling techniques and synthetic substitutes entered the market and jute started losing its predominant position

• to overcome the declining market of jute, new technologies evolved for bulk use of jute, and production of high value added and price competitive intermediaries or final products

Jute fabric

Diversified Jute Products

Floor Coverings

• From the conventional carpet, jute moved up the value chain and is used to make attractive floor coverings.

• improvements in dyeing and processing and market development made this segment to grow.

• A traditional jute mat known as “Satranji”* has also received much acclaim for a large market potential

• Floor coverings like piled/tufted carpet, rugs, runners, mats, mattings, braided mats, durries etc. of jute alone or blended with other textile fibres are used.

Jute Composites

• layered structure having more than one material component with integrated interfaces.

• products presently being produced from jute composites are Sheet/Board, Door, Window, Furniture, Corrugated Sheet, Chequered Board etc

• Unbreakable, abundant, maintenance free, durable, Fire retardant and water resistant, UV, termite, acid and alkali resistant, Biodegrable, Renewable, Eco-friendly and Stronger than wood

Home Textiles

• Fibres of jute used for coarse textile

• Table cloth, cushion covers, sofa covers, bed covers, curtain cloth, table mats, prayer mats, napkins, aprons, blankets etc. are made of jute or jute in combination with other textile fibres.

• It can replace cotton fabrics either by itself or as a blend with cotton for home textile applications.

• Fabrics are strong, durable, both light and colour-fast, attractive and cheaper than most fabrics, anti-static, UV protective and naturally decomposable.

Paper and Pulp

• Jute containing cellulose has been found to be an excellent raw material for making good quality pulp and paper.

• The technologies for making pulp and paper from whole jute as well as from jute fibre are successfully developed.

• Attempts are being made to make it more cost-effective. Once improving commercial viability, whole jute could become a major source for “Tree free” pulp and paper

• Less chemical requirement than wood pulping, less energy consumption than traditional wood pulp due to low lignin; treated wastewater from jute paper mills used for irrigation.

Technical Textiles

• Technical Textiles are textiles used for specific applications in agriculture or in industries like automobile, aviation, civil engineering, chemical, electrical, leather, medical, transportation or for environmental protection.

• Main features of technical textiles are rated on specific performance parameters and not on aesthetics

• Jute fibre’s unique physical properties: high tenacity, bulkiness, sound & heat insulation property, low thermal conductivity, antistatic property etc.

• Hence more suited for the manufacture of technical textiles in certain specific areas.

Jute Particle Board

• Used as substitutes for wood.

• The availability of the technologies for producing particleboards and its high socio-economic value are arguments in favour of the future development of this product

• The use of wood in house construction, furniture, etc is slowly being discouraged due to environmental reasons.

• The use of jute particle board as a substitute has been found to be quite acceptable both in terms of quality and price.

• Jute particle boards are now being made mainly at small-scale level

Jute Geotextiles

• One of the most important diversified jute products with a potentially large-scale application.

• Applications like: soil erosion control, vegetation consolidation, agro-mulching, reinforcement, and protection of riverbanks & embankments, land reclamation and in road pavement construction

• High moisture absorption capacity, Flexibility, Drainage properties, Ease of installation, Bio-degradable properties

Handicrafts

• Produced from jute fibre, yarn and fabric.

• Products vary from cushion covers to lamp-shades, from hats to footwear and from hand bags to fashion accessories, candle holders, hand bags, jewellery boxes etc.

• Jute yarn is converted to have wool like appearance and feel by chemical modification, dyeing and finishing, may be used for making sweaters, cardigans etc.

• It is free from health hazards and also free from hydrocarbons and provides adequate warmth and is cheaper than wool and acrylic based products

• Considering the value addition and the employment such handicrafts offer, this segment can grow significantly

Handicrafts