Bast fibers were used as reinforcement fibers for thousands of years before petrochemical fibers were developed.
For many products in today’s markets, natural fibers continue to offer key advantages over synthetics and fiberglass.
- High strength/weight ratio for composite reinforcement
- Different finenesses possible, giving varying aspect ratios
- Can be cut to any specified length
- Being cellulosic, they do not melt or shrink in FR fabrics.
- Exceptional acoustical properties
- Excellent insulating properties
- Relative price stability
- Cost effective – Half the price of synthetics
- With a specific gravity of 1.4, they are an excellent substitute for fiberglass (specific gravity of 2.6).
One of our key fibers, Jute, is the second largest vegetable fiber after cotton. Globally, 7 billion pounds of Jute and Kenaf fibers are produced annually, largely from India and Bangladesh. This availability is another reason why natural bast fibers are a viable alternative to petrochemical fibers.