Sisal
The fibres of the sisal are a good and sustainable alternative to nylon and plastic materials.
Sisal fibers: Their processing and uses
Sisal is the sixth most important fiber plant in the world. Its fibers are used for rope, mats, bags, brushes, packaging, paper money, and for the strengthening of plastic materials for cars and furniture.
The fibers are extracted by crushing the leaves and removing the tissue. A sisal plant typically lives 7 to 10 years and produces up to 250 leaves that each contains about a thousand fibers that can be up to 130 cm long.
The Mayans and the Aztecs used sisal fiber for clothing and rope before the arrival of the Spanish.
Sisal cultivation and sustainability
Sisal was introduced to East Africa in the 1800s and today, East Africa is the center for the production of sisal fibers.
The sisal plant is in many ways a sustainable resource, as its cultivation requires minimal irrigation, very little synthetic fertilizer, and few pesticides. Additionally, the fibres are biodegradable.
For many years, sisal production has faced competition from synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene, for example in rope manufacturing. Today, however, sisal is experiencing a revival due to the growing interest in sustainable materials.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: The Dessert House
- Danish name: Sisal-agave
- Latin name: Agave sisalana
- Family: Asparagus family / Asparagaceae
- Natural habitat: Central America