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What is Jute?

Shannon Kietzman
Shannon Kietzman

Jute is a type of plant fiber used to make common items such as rope, twine, chair coverings, curtains, sacks, hessian cloth, carpets, and even the backing used on linoleum. This is accomplished by spinning the fiber into a coarse thread. Despite the fact that jute tends to be rough in texture, fine threads of it are sometimes used to create imitation silk. In addition, it is increasingly being looked at as an alternative source for making paper, rather than cutting down trees for pulp.

The thread created from jute is quite strong, yet it is among the cheapest of natural fibers available. It also has exceptional insulating properties, low thermal conductivity, and antistatic characteristics. Nonetheless, synthetic materials are replacing it in many applications, because they are still less costly to create and more efficient to use. This is partly because jute has a tendency to become brittle and to yellow in sunlight. It also tends to lose its strength when wet and can become infested with microbes when used in humid regions.

Jute is a type of plant fiber used to make common items such as sacks,  twine, curtains, carpets, and many more durable cloth items.
Jute is a type of plant fiber used to make common items such as sacks, twine, curtains, carpets, and many more durable cloth items.

There are several applications for which jute is still used instead of synthetic fibers. These applications are mostly limited to those that require the use of a material capable of biodegrading. Pots for plants that are planted directly into the ground with the plant, for example, are often made of this material. Jute cloth is also used in landscaping projects, in order to prevent erosion while still permitting natural vegetation to grow.

Rope is often made using naturally strong jute fibers.
Rope is often made using naturally strong jute fibers.

Jute is also considered to be a possible alternative to wood. This is because its stem contains a woody inner core. Taking just four to six months to grow to maturity, it can be harvested much more quickly than trees. Many hope to be able to use jute in order to slow down or prevent deforestation.

The majority of the jute used today is grown in the Ganges delta. This is because the plant prefers climates that are both warm and humid, with temperature ranging from 68° to 104°F (20° to 40°C) and a relative humidity of 70-80%. It also requires about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) of rainfall per week. China is the next largest producer.

Discussion Comments

anon341009

What about tensile strength? I use jute rope for tying and just need to know how much it will hold in your opinion.

anon121842

Jute is not a grass! It is in the Malvaceae family. I have grown it here over the summer in Florida. It is an amazing plant, and edible. It withstands heat and drought with a deep rich green and rapid growth. It's like, "oh yeah, this is what I like!"

It is used as a thickener in soups in much of the middle east. (the leaves) The stems/woody parts are used for fiber. I've never made anything with the fiber, but it is a truly lovely and easy plant to grow in the summer!

anon95512

Jute is a grass; a long, soft, 100 percent bio-degradable vegetable fiber used to make products such as jute bags.

anon67511

In all this information, why has no one said what the plant is that Jute is made from? Is it the Jute bush, tree, vine or water weed?

anon50490

I am a manufacturer of rubber hoses with textile braiding in the hose. Can I replace the textile braiding with jute? Can anyone advise me on this? Thank you.

AsburySteve

Are there blankets made out of jute, and where can I get one?

lemmings

I really like jute, especially when used to make doormats and rugs - it gives a sort of "beachy" air to the house.

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    • Jute is a type of plant fiber used to make common items such as sacks,  twine, curtains, carpets, and many more durable cloth items.
      By: marcoemilio
      Jute is a type of plant fiber used to make common items such as sacks, twine, curtains, carpets, and many more durable cloth items.
    • Rope is often made using naturally strong jute fibers.
      By: Dimco
      Rope is often made using naturally strong jute fibers.