What is jute fabric? Jute fabric is a strong, natural material made from the stalks of the jute plant. This plant mostly grows in countries like India and Bangladesh. Some African countries are also growing jute. Jute fabric has a golden-brown color and lasts a long time because of its strength. People use it to make things like bags, rugs, ropes, furniture covers, sofas, burlap table cloths/table linen, and sometimes mixed with other fabrics to make new materials. Jute is a big part of the textile world.

In the United States and Canada, jute fabric is known as burlap fabric. In Europe and Australia, it is known as hessian fabric, respectively. 

One great thing about jute is that it is biodegradable. This means it breaks down naturally and doesn't stay in landfills like plastic. That’s why it’s popular with people who want to protect the planet. Below, find jute fabric information that will be helpful to readers who want to understand what jute fabric is made of and what it is used for. 

TYPES OF JUTE FABRIC

According to Vaishnavi et al., A Review - Studies on Jute Properties, Characteristics and Application in Textile Industry, October 2022, there are four main types of jute:

1. White Jute: This type is light-colored but not as strong. It was once widely used in Bengal to make cloth.
2. Mesta Jute: This jute is a mix between white and tossa jute.
3. Tossa Jute: This is the most popular type today. It grows well and gives a high amount of fiber. The color is more brown than white, and the fibers are long and very strong.
4. Jute Cuttings: These are leftover bits from making jute items. They are the roughest and least useful, but they can still be used for basic fabric needs.

ADVANTAGES OF JUTE FABRIC 

Jute fabric has many good sides:

• Strong and durable: Even though it feels soft, jute can hold heavy things and doesn’t tear easily.
• Breathable: Jute lets air flow through it. This makes rooms more comfortable when it’s used in home items.
• Absorbs moisture: Jute can soak up water, which helps keep things dry. That’s why it’s used in things like bath mats and towels.
• Natural look: Its golden color gives things a warm, earthy look.
• Eco-friendly farming: Jute uses less water and fewer chemicals than other crops like cotton.
• Biodegradable: Jute breaks down naturally in soil. That means it doesn’t pollute the environment like plastic. It helps reduce waste and adds nutrients to the Earth.
• Renewable: Jute grows quickly, usually in 4 to 6 months. So farmers can grow it again and again without hurting the environment.

PRODUCTS FROM JUTE

Jute is used in many different industries because of its strength and natural beauty:

1| Home Furnishings

Jute is perfect for burlap carpet, rugs, bathroom mats, curtains, furniture covers, sofa upholstery, and wall hangings. Rugs made from jute are strong and curtains made from jute let in soft light and help control room temperature.

2| Fashion

Jute is used to make bags, shoes, hats, jewelry, and other clothing items. It’s comfortable for hot weather and has a stylish, natural look. Many people wear jute items because they are unique and eco-friendly.

3| Non-Textile Uses

• Agriculture and Farming: Farmers use jute sacks to carry things like rice, potatoes, and seeds.
• Construction: Jute is used in geotextiles to stop soil from washing away. It is also used as a natural wall covering. These jute walls help insulate rooms and reduce energy use.
• Car makers use jute inside car doors and dashboards for insulation.

CHARACTERISTICS & PROPERTIES OF JUTE

Jute is a natural fiber that is strong, long-lasting, and friendly to the environment. Even though it is tough, it feels soft to the touch. It has a shiny, golden color that makes it look warm and natural. Jute also allows air to pass through, which helps keep things cool. That’s why it’s good for warm weather and for products like bags, rugs, and clothing.

A| JUTE FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS 

APPEARANCE & TEXTURE OF JUTE

Jute is often called the “Golden Fiber” because of its shiny golden or beige color. It looks warm and natural. The texture of jute depends on how it’s made. It can feel rough or smooth depending on the weave. That’s why it’s used for so many things—from rugs to handbags to home decor and textiles.

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF JUTE

Jute is very strong and doesn’t tear easily. It can carry heavy loads and handle tough use. This makes it perfect for sacks, ropes, carpets, and mats. Because it lasts a long time, people don’t have to replace jute products often. This not only saves money, but also helps the environment by reducing waste.

BREATHABILITY AND MOISTURE-WICKING

Jute lets air move through it easily, which helps keep people and rooms cool. This makes it great for warm-weather clothing like shirts and hats. Jute also absorbs moisture, which helps keep things dry. That’s why jute is used in items like bath mats and towels. It keeps moisture away and still feels comfortable.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF JUTE

As described in Vaishnavi et al., A Review - Studies on Jute Properties, Characteristics and Application in Textile Industry, October 2022, jute is known as an eco-friendly because:

• Biodegradability and recyclability: Jute is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. That means it naturally breaks down and can be composted.
• Natural and non-toxic: Jute is a plant fiber that doesn’t give off harmful chemicals or smoke when burned. Even when treated, jute does not release dangerous substances.
• Agro-renewable and sustainable: Jute is a renewable crop that grows fast. The jute stem has lots of cellulose, which can be collected quickly.
• Low impact on the environment: From farming to disposal, jute has a smaller environmental footprint than synthetic materials. It also helps clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

Jute fabric is affordable and money-saving:

• Jute is cheap to grow because it doesn’t need a lot of water or chemicals.
• Jute products last a long time, so you don’t have to replace them often.
• When jute items are no longer useful, they can be composted, which saves disposal costs and helps the soil.

B| PROPERTIES OF JUTE FABRIC

According to Vaishnavi et al., A Review - Studies on Jute Properties, Characteristics and Application in Textile Industry, October 2022, jute has several important physical, mechanical, and chemical properties:

Chemical Composition of Jute:

• Jute is a bast fiber, which means it comes from the outer layer of the plant’s stem.
• It contains about:
  • 58–63% cellulose
  • 20–24% hemicellulose
  • 12–15% lignin

• Plus small amounts of fats, pectin, and water-soluble parts.
• The fiber is made of tiny cells that are held together by lignin and hemicellulose. Inside each cell is a small hollow center called a lumen, which is about 10% of the fiber’s size and has a polygon shape.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Jute:

• High tensile strength: Jute fibers are very strong and do not break easily when pulled.
• Initial modulus: This means it doesn’t stretch much, which is helpful in making strong fabrics.
• Low extensibility: Jute doesn’t stretch much, which can be good or bad depending on how it's used.
• Good sound and heat insulation: Jute helps block noise and keeps heat in or out.
• Dimensional stability: Jute holds its shape well.
• Good dye acceptability: It absorbs dyes well, though not as brightly.
• High breathability and wicking ability: Jute lets air pass through and can pull moisture away from surfaces.
• Not prone to pilling: Jute doesn’t form tiny fiber balls, which makes it look cleaner over time.
• Increased strength in laminates: When more jute is added to laminated materials, those items become stronger.
• Breaking strength: Scientists can predict how much force will break a jute fiber using a method called the Weibull distribution.

LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES OF JUTE FABRIC

Even though jute has many good features, it also has a few challenges. Vaishnavi et al. also mention that jute can have problems like:

• Not good in wet conditions: Jute can shrink, lose shape, or grow mold if it gets too wet.
• Hard to dye and yellowing when in sunlight: Jute doesn’t hold bright colors well, especially after washing or sun exposure.
• Rough feel: Jute is rougher than other fibers like cotton or silk, so some people don’t like wearing jute clothing that touch their skin. The coarseness and brittleness might be uncomfortable on the skin.
• Poor washability
• Differences in fiber thickness and length
• Takes effort to process – Making jute fabric takes more time and skill than man-made fibers.

According to Shahinur et al., Current Development and Future Perspective on Natural Jute Fibers and Their Biocomposites, March 2022, here are some ideas to fix jute issues:

• Fiber Improvements: Use special treatments to make jute more useful.
• Better manufacturing: Use new tools to avoid defects in jute products.
• Improve color and water resistance: Create eco-friendly dyes and water-proof coatings that work well with jute.
• More product ideas: Market and promote jute in new ways. Make jute products for both luxury and everyday use. 
• Recycling: Develop new ways to recycle jute-based items and support a circular economy.

CONCLUSION ON JUTE FABRIC

Jute is a strong, natural fabric that comes from a plant. It’s used all over the world to make useful things like bags, rugs, bath mats, clothes, eco-friendly packaging, and even car parts. People love jute because it is good for the planet. It breaks down naturally, grows fast, and doesn’t need much water or chemicals.

Even though jute can be rough, shrink in water, or be hard to dye, scientists and manufacturers are finding smart ways to fix those problems. Finding ways to make jute skirts, jute shorts, and jute bedding/ linen jute fabric, that are comfortable on the skin, is a matter of time. 

With new ideas and tools, jute can be widely used in the future. Jute is not just an old fabric—it’s a smart choice for a cleaner and greener world.