Fibres

Since the earliest of times, humans have created textiles and household items from plant fibers. They are elastic, rip and tearproof. Some of them are especially long and fine, and others fulfill the considerable demands of industrial production.

The most important textile fiber in the world originates from the genus Gossypium. For centuries, the absorbent, spinnable and boil-proof seed fibers of cotton have delivered high-quality raw materials for our clothes. They are also found in paper, banknotes, composites and even explosives! Even the seeds are useful; their oil is in margarine, and the oil cake is a suitable livestock feed.

The leaves of sisal(Agave sisalana) have it! They contain long sclerenchyma fibres which we process into tearproof ropes and cords, upholstery fabric or rugs. Plantations are found in all tropical regions of the world, especially Brazil, Mexico, Kenya and Tanzania.

There are also fiber plants in Central Europe. Think of hemp, flax or nettle. Why don't they play a role in the world market?