Development of newer products with spun wrapped Jute yarns

11-16 Jute fibre extracted from stem of two species (Corchorus olitorius Linn. and Corchorus capsularis Linn.) is one of the major cash crops of India and is used mainly for the production of coarser packaging material for packing food grains, sugar and vegetables. In the present study, jute fibre has been used for the development of high value utility products like school and lap-top bags. For the production of these products specialty jute yarns have been developed which has 27% higher work of rupture (i.e., higher load bearing capacity) and more than 90% reduction in hairiness than the conventional jute yarn. The fabrics developed with different weave structure for the fabrication of the products when compared with ordinary jute fabric of similar constructional parameters, show higher strength and elongation and drastic reduction in bending modulus resulting in softer feel, which also helps in easy folding of the fabric during stitching operation. Similar products may also be developed from natural fibres similar to jute e.g., Hibiscus cannabinus Linn. (Kenaf), Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Rossel), Cannabis sativa Linn. (Hemp) and Linum utitatissimum Linn. (Flax).