Jute Retting Techniques: Types of Retting with Advantage and Disadvantage for Optimal Fiber Extraction

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What is Jute Retting?

Jute Retting is a method of separating fibers from non-fibrous materials surrounding certain plants, such as woody stalks. During retting, the fibers are broken down so the binding substances, such as pectin, gum, and other binding substances, can be removed and processed more efficiently. Various factors such as microorganisms, moisture, and time can participate in retting, either naturally or artificially. During retting, the non-fibrous materials are decomposed or loosened, separating the fibers from the stalk more easily. In addition to removing impurities, retting prepares the fibers for further processing, such as spinning or weaving. Different jute retting techniques are exist depending on the plant and fiber.
Retting is a critical step in the processing of certain plant fibers, which is the process of separating valuable fibers from non-fibrous materials, which can then be used in various industries, including textiles, papermaking, and packaging.

Factors Effect the Jute Retting Process:

Jute retting can be affected by a number of factors. Below are a few of the most important factors that can have an impact on jute retting:

• Volume of water: Retting is ideal in clean, slow moving water. In such water, bacteria consume protein and release pectin, tannin, and other gummy substances. Slow moving water removes these released impurities and leaves the fine fiber. Static water keeps them in retting water. The ratio of retting water to plant material should be 20:1.
• Temperature: The retting process is strongly influenced by temperature. Warmer temperatures generally accelerate retting, while colder temperatures slow it down. As microbial activity and enzyme processes are stimulated at 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), this temperature range is ideal for retting.
• Microbial: Retting is the process by which microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, break down non-fibrous materials. Among the factors that influence microbial activity are the types and concentrations of microorganisms present and their ability to thrive at specific temperatures, pH levels, and nutrient levels.
• Retting Duration: Retting duration may vary depending on several factors, including temperature, water quality, and fiber quality desired. Retting progress should be monitored carefully to prevent underretting or overretting, which may negatively affect jute fiber quality.
• Agitation/Turinging: During retting, periodic agitation or turning of the bundles can promote even retting and prevent the development of stagnant or anaerobic conditions that may result in undesirable fiber qualities.
• Harvesting Time: Retting processes are affected by the stage at which the jute plants are harvested. Harvesting the plants at the right maturity stage ensures that the fibers are optimal and easier to separate from the stalks.

Types of Jute Retting Techniques:

Several types of jute retting can be found. In this article we are going to discuss a few jute retting techniques. A brief description of each is given below, along with advantages and disadvantages.

1. Water retting.
2. Chemical retting.
3. Enzymatic retting.
4. Mechanical retting.
5. Ribbon retting.

1. Water Retting:

Stripping begins after the retting process. For retting, bundles are usually carried to ponds, canals, ditches, or other bodies of water. Some bundles are kept standing in knee-deep water for 3-5 days. For better retting, these bundles are placed in jaks for steeping. They are arranged in 2-3 layers in a crosswise arrangement. The jak is then covered with water, hyacinth weeds or other materials. Weighting down with wooden logs, earthen chunks, banana logs, or banana logs is highly discouraged. To achieve uniform retting, you should submerge your plants in the clear slow, flowing streams of water for 15-20 cm. Retting takes between 15-20 days, depending mainly on the maturity of the plants. The water temperature should be 31-36⁰ degrees Celsius.
Retting occurs when the bark separates easily from the stick or wood, and fibres can be extracted. Fibre must be extracted as quickly as possible; otherwise, the quality will suffer.

Advantage of Water Retting:

1. A well-established and traditional fibre extraction method, particularly for jute and flax, is water retting, which has been utilized for centuries and is well-understood by practitioners.
2. Produces fibre that is more uniform and of higher quality.
3. Retting of water relies on microbial activity and enzymatic reactions. Chemicals or mechanical interventions are not needed.
4. Retting water is a cost-effective method since it requires minimal infrastructure and equipment. It can be performed in natural water bodies like rivers and ponds, reducing the need for additional equipment.

Disadvantage of Water Retting:

1. The water retting process is relatively slow compared to mechanical or chemical methods. It often takes several days to several weeks, depending on factors like temperature and water quality.
2. Water retting requires enough clean water. Water scarcity and poor water quality can limit water retting’s feasibility in areas with limited or no clean water sources.
3. Retting water often requires manual labour, such as bundling stalks, monitoring the retting process, and separating fibres. This can be physically demanding and time-consuming, especially for large-scale operations.
4. Anaerobic bacterial fermentation of the plant produces excessive stench and pollution of the environment.

2. Chemical Retting:

The chemical retting process for jute involves using chemicals to break down the non-fibrous materials and facilitate the separation of jute fibres. The process typically includes the following steps:
After harvesting, jute plants are thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, debris, or impurities that might interfere with the retting process. After that, a retting chemical is prepared, usually sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). The plants are soaked in this solution for as long as possible, ensuring full coverage and penetration of the solution. In addition to the concentration of the retting chemical, fibre quality can determine the soaking duration. During soaking, the retting chemical breaks down the pectin, gum, and other binding substances that hold jute fibres together. The retting process is closely monitored to ensure the chemical action is effective. Periodic inspections of fibre separation from plant stalks and visual inspections of retting progress may be conducted. After the retting period, the jute plants are thoroughly washed to eliminate residual impurities and retting chemicals. To separate the loosened fibres from the plant stalks, jute stalks are mechanically processed using scutching or hackling.
Finally, the fibres are dried, usually by air-drying or mechanical drying. They are then ready for further processing, such as spinning, weaving, or additional treatments.

Advantage of Chemical Retting:

1. Reduced processing time compared to traditional retting methods.
2. Retting process is more controlled, resulting in consistent results.
3. Effective in breaking down specific non-fibrous materials in jute plants.
4. Useful in regions with limited water resources or where traditional retting methods are impractical.

Disadvantage of Chemical Retting:

1. Environmental concerns regarding waste management and the use of retting chemicals.
2. A potential impact on the natural color and strength of jute fibers.
3. Retting chemicals cost more to purchase, store, and handle.
4. Compared to traditional retting methods, additional equipment and safety measures may be needed.

3. Enzymatic Retting:

Pectin enzymes produced by bacteria are the main component of this method. Retting involves multiplying the bacteria and producing extracellulose pectinases, which dissolve the pectin and release the bast fiber. Depending on the enzyme used, this process is carried out under controlled conditions. The gum and pectin material in the stick is attacked by enzymes such as pectinases, xylanases etc.

Advantage of Enzymatic Retting:

1. A smooth refining process for pulping that degrades and provides selective properties.
2. Enzymatic reactions cause partial degradation of components separating cellulosic fibres from non-fibre tissues.
3. Enzymatic retting typically requires fewer chemicals and produces less waste than chemical retting.
4. Increased efficiency and faster processing compared to traditional retting.

Disadvantage of Enzymatic Retting:

1. It can be expensive to use enzymes in the retting process.
2. A low-strength fibre is produced as a result of this process.
3. It may be difficult for enzymes to break down certain types of non-fibrous materials, affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of retting.
4. Geographic location and market availability may affect availability of specific enzymes for enzymatic retting.

4. Mechanical Retting:

Mechanical retting, also known as decortication, separates jute fibres from non-fibrous materials in a jute plant. Mechanical retting uses mechanical force to break down and separate fibres rather than water retting or chemical retting. Here’s a description of how it works for jute:
Jute plants are harvested when their fibres are ready for extraction. They are cleaned to remove dirt, debris, and impurities. Cleaning of the jute stalks is followed by mechanical processing. This involves using specialized machines or equipment to break the stalks and separate the fibres.
As part of mechanical retting, jute stalks are fed into a scutching machine, including wooden beaters or rotating blades. As the beaters strike the stalks, fibres separate from non-fibrous materials, causing the fibres to break.
Hackling is another mechanical retting method. The fibres of a jute stalk are passed through a comb or brush that grips the non-fibres while allowing fibres to pass through, causing the fibres to separate. The jute fibres are further cleaned by brushing or air blowing after mechanical retting to remove any remaining impurities.
Separated and cleaned jute fibres are then dried, typically by air-drying, to remove moisture and prepare them for further processing. Dried fibres can be used for spinning, weaving, or other requirements.

Advantage of Mechanical Retting:

1. Process is faster than traditional retting methods, reducing overall processing time.
2. Environmentally friendly because it doesn’t use chemicals or enzymes.
3. As compared to water retting, this method relies less on water resources.
4. It eliminates the need for chemicals and associated costs, making it more cost-effective.

Disadvantage of Mechanical Retting:

1. If not executed correctly, fiber quality may be reduced due to damage to the fibers.
2. Processing requires specialized machinery or equipment.
3. Compared to other retting methods, this method may require additional steps or treatments.
4. It is more labor-intensive than chemical or enzymatic retting.

5. Ribbon Retting:

A ribbon retting technology has been adopted in recent years in jute growing areas of the country to get the outer skin of the stem. Ribbons can be obtained mechanically or manually. As part of its bamboo hook ribbon development, BJRI provides bamboo hooks. A similar method of extracting ribbons from water or pools is to hang the ribbons horizontally over a bamboo grill placed across the pool and wash them in clean water after they have been retted in earthen pots or rings placed over vertical poles. CRIJAF developed lower by retting in a small test widely in farmers’ fields, and as of recently has an ability to produce 25 kg dry fiber per machine hour, compared to 5 kg per man hour using the conventional method. Completing the protocol, including retting, in less than 8 days may result in improved fiber quality over conventional methods, requiring no more than 20% of the water. 

Advantage of Ribbon Retting:

1. A major advantage of ribbon retting is that it requires less water, a smaller work force, and less time to complete.
2. The fiber is almost free of cutting and the quality has been improved as a result.
3. In addition, all residues are left in the field, which results in a 70% reduction in transportation weight.
4. Fibers can be washed more easily.

Disadvantage of Ribbon Retting:

1. During retting, ribbons may tangle or become entangled, requiring extra attention.
2. The process is labour-intensive and expensive.
3. The process of stripping jute stalks into ribbons requires specialized equipment or techniques, which may increase the initial setup cost.
4. As of yet, this technique has not been widely adopted by farmers.

Conclusion:

To extract fibre from plants such as jute, retting techniques are essential. It is important to note that each retting method has its own advantages and disadvantages, including water retting, chemical retting, enzyme retting, and ribbon retting. Several factors influence the choice of retting technique, including the availability of resources, fibre quality, and time constraints. To determine which approach is most appropriate for a specific context and requirement, each method should be carefully evaluated for its advantages and disadvantages.

Reference:

1. Belal, P. D. (2016). Understanding Textiles for a Merchandiser. Dhaka: LB Graphics & Printing.
2. Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, P. D. (n.d.). Natural fibers. Dhaka: Hafiz book center.
3. Md. Rostom ali, o. k. (2015). Jute retting: present pracitce and problem in Banglesh. CIGR, 243.

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