Kapok

It is made from hairs of the seeds of the fruit of the kapok (Ceiba pentandra); a tall and strong plant, grown mainly in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Africa. The fruits are collected by beating (beating of the branches) and then opened to remove, by hand or machine, the fluff that covers the seeds.

The kapok fibre cannot be spun because they are too weak. Their specific weight is only 0.35 grams per cm ³, and they are waterproof, thin, soft and shiny. The kapok, thanks to its lightness and characteristics is used as padding, for life jackets and mattresses.

Hemp CA

It is obtained from the stems of the Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), grown mainly in Italy, Poland, former Yugoslavia, former Soviet Union, Hungary, Romania, Spain and Algeria. The fibres of hemp are very durable and have stretchability and elasticity similar to linen. The fibres are coarse and rigid, and are harvested before reaching maturity, at the end of flowering. The stems are between 2 to 3 meters high and after being cut or torn, are left to dry and mature. Subsequently the hemp primary fibres are separated from the hemp stalk through the "retting" process. This process dissolves the substances that hold the primary bast fibres to the short fibred inner woody core of the hemp plant composed of libriform fibres (called hurds, which allow the transfer of solutions contained in the earth). The subsequent mechanical operations are intended to free the fibre from the woody parts of the plant. 

The cultivation of hemp has long been prohibited. Currently, for the production of fibre, only certain varieties are permitted. Hemp is used for making ropes and tea towels as well as clothing.

Jute JU

This libriform fibre is obtained from the stems of plants of jute (Corchorus capsularis and olitorius). In terms of world consumption and availability, it is the second most important vegetable fibre after cotton. It is cultivated in particular in India in the Ganges delta, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The fibres that are obtained are very woody and irregular, have a pungent smell and are subject to premature decay. Their colour is yellowish-white or silver-gray and time and humidity tend to make them turn brown. 

Jute is obtained by cutting the plant, drying it, cleaning the stalks and subsequent maceration. With a series of mechanical operations, similar for all libriform fibres, the bast fibres are separated from the woody fibres. Very similar to linen in terms of strength, stretchability and elasticity, jute is mainly used for the manufacture of cloth for packaging and wrapping, covering or lining and tapestries.

Ramie RA

The ramie plant is obtained from the stems of the perennial plant of the same name (Bohemeria nipononivea) that grows very quickly and is called "flax of the Far East." In fact, the most important area for its production is between China and Indonesia, but is also cultivated in the former Soviet Union and the United States. To remove the lint from the stem of this tropical plant up to five annual harvestings are done. The process of decortication frees the bark, which contains the fibre bundles. The degumming, which follows this, dissolves the glue that holds plant fibres together in bands. The next step is bleaching followed by spinning.

Ramie fibres are highly valued, similar to flax and very robust, they are smooth and uniform, easy to dye and resistant to light, have an even sheen and highly absorbent. They are harsher to the touch than wool. Their lack of elasticity makes them crease easily. Their use ranges from the manufacture of fine fabrics, lightweight, with good resistance to wear, to belts and ribbons. The shorter fibres are used to make banknotes. The high costs of production however strongly restrict its use.

Sisal

It is made from the long leaves of the plant Agave Sisalana, it is a hard fibre grown in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and East Africa. The sisal fibres are highly resistant to tearing and abrasion, are easy to dye (the original colour of the fibre is yellowish-white) and are resistant to humidity even if rather rough and stiff. The harvesting is done by cutting off the older leaves and allowing them to dry before subjecting them to a crushing that is intended to "crush" the tissues and separate the textile fibres from the dry pulp. The sisal is used for the production of ropes, mats and nets.

Coconut CC

Made from the big hairs that cover the coconut (Cocos mucifera), the hard fibre has excellent resistance to abrasion, to wear and does not get dirty easily. Its elasticity is good as well as its insulating properties. Typical of the pan-tropical zone of the planet it is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The husks, removed from the nuts, are let to soak in water for a few weeks when they are ripe, or a few months if they are not yet fully ripe. The fibres are then extracted manually or with special machines. The compact fibrous bundles of reddish-brown colour are composed of individual fibres with a diameter ranging between 15 to 20 microns. The coconut fibre is used in particular for the manufacture of carpets, floor coverings, ropes, etc..