Author
|
Submitted to: Flax Institute Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2008 Publication Date: 7/31/2008 Citation: Foulk, J.A. 2008. Flax fiber in the United States. 62nd Flax Institute Proceedings of the United States, March 26-28, 2008, Fargo, North Dakota. p.145-146. Interpretive Summary: The versatile flax plant has a long history of being utilized in various industrial applications (textiles, nonwovens, industrial/nutritional oil sectors, paper/pulp products, and composites). Bast fiber content in a flax stem is ~25% and must be harvested and dew-retted, and then fibers must be extracted from the non-fiber materials using an assortment of rigorous cleaning techniques prior to textile processing. The Agricultural Research Service of USDA has a priority to develop and expand use of sustainable, environmentally friendly biobased products, such as natural fibers, for a variety of industrial applications. Flax fiber offers many possibilities towards this goal, but the US currently does not have a flax fiber industry and all fiber for textiles and composites is imported. Industries use natural fibers such as flax because of low cost, low density, sound absorbance, shatter resistance, biodegradability, and other properties inherent in natural cellulosic fibers. Interest and innovation lies with flax stalk and its by-products including the fiber, shive, and dust which have many uses ranging from developed markets to novel markets, and others currently unidentified. Technical Abstract: This paper summarizes the nature and scope of US flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) fiber research, notes significant research progress to date, and presents proposed research to identify a practical, environmentally friendly, and cost effective solution to the utilization of flax fibers. The Agricultural Research Service of USDA has a priority to develop and expand use of sustainable, environmentally friendly biobased products, such as natural fibers, for a variety of industrial applications. The versatile flax plant has a long history of being utilized in various industrial applications (textiles, nonwovens, industrial/nutritional oil sectors, paper/pulp products, and composites). Flax fiber offers many possibilities towards this goal, but the US currently does not have a flax fiber industry and all fiber for textiles and composites is imported. Development of a flax fiber industry in the US is needed to supply a domestic source of consistent quality fiber for current and emerging industries. |
