Ramie Fiber

Ramie is a natural fiber having a woody appearance, that resembles flax. The natural fiber is hardly used for textiles. Various processes including extraction and cleaning are expensive, as they involve several steps.

Physical Characteristics
Ramie is a stiff fiber, more brittle than linen and very lustrous. The fiber can be bleached to extreme whiteness. The fiber is however unprofitable to general use because the retting operation is difficult and costly. The fiber has permanent luster and good affinity for dyes. It is one of the strongest natural fibers and has greater strength when wet.

Major Producers
South east Asia, China, Japan and Southern Europe are some of the major producers of ramie fiber. Philippines and Brazil are also significant producers of fine quality ramie.

Applications
Pina is often used for manufacturing:

• Apparels: Ramie is used as a filling yarn in mixed woolen fabrics, it is also used with silk fibers and a substitute for flax.
• The fiber is made into fabrics for household furnishings including upholstery and canvas
• Ropes
• Twine
• Nets