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Flax
General,
Process, Production, Technology, Applications, Products, Quality,
Properties, Functions, Market, Report
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General
- Flax is a cool
temperate annual herb with erect, slender stems, 80-120 cm tall, taller
than linseed. Flax also known as common flax or linseed is a member of
the genus Linum in the family Linaceae.
- Common flax or Linum
usitatissimum was one of the first crops domesticated by man. Flax is
thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe; the
Swiss Lake Dweller People of the Stone Age apparently produced flax
utilizing the fiber as well as the seed.
- Flax, which
is made into linen fabrics, is one of the oldest plant fibres known to
be used for clothing.
- Flax fibers are
amongst the oldest fiber crops in the world. Flax fiber is extracted
from the bast or skin of the stem of flax plant. Flax fiber is soft,
lustrous and flexible. It is stronger than cotton fiber but less
elastic.
Process
- Threshing is the
process of removing the seeds from the rest of the plant. The process is
divided into two parts: the first part is intended for the farmer, or
flax-grower, to bring the flax into a fit state for general or common
purposes. The second part of the process is intended for the
manufacturer to bring the flax into a state for the very finest
purposes, such as lace, cambric, damask, and very fine linen. This
second part is performed by the refining machine only.
- Field retting is
laying the flax out in a large field, and allowing dew to collect on it.
This process normally takes a month or more, but is generally considered
to provide the highest quality flax fibers, and produces the least
pollution. Retting can also be done in a plastic trash can, or any type
of water tight container of wood, concrete, earthenware or plastic.
Metal containers will not work, as an acid is produced when retting, and
it would corrode the metal. If the water temperature is kept at 80 °F,
the retting process under these conditions takes 4 or 5 days, and if the
water is any colder it takes longer.
Production
- Flax was widely grown
in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries and a flourishing linen trade
existed in the Bann and Lagan valleys. The farmers preferred to use less
fertile soil to grow flax; obviously it doesn't need the use of heavy
fertiliser.
- Flax is native to the
region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably
first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.It was extensively cultivated
in ancient Egypt.
- Flax is an alternative
cash crop, especially in areas of Wisconsin and Minnesota where allocated
acreages for other cash crops are limited or where other crops are not
adapted. At one time the flax acreage was concentrated on the clay soils
in eastern Wisconsin. In Minnesota, flax acreage is concentrated in the
northwestern part, however flax has been grown successfully in nearly all
counties.
- The use of flax for the
production of linen goes back 5000 years. In North America, flax was
introduced by the Puritans. Currently most flax produced in the USA and
Canada are seed flax types for the production of linseed oil or flaxseeds
for human nutrition.
Application
- Flax is still
produced in the United States for its oil rich seed. Linseed has
been used as a drying agent for paints, varnishes, lacquer, and printing
ink.
- Flax is grown both
for its seeds and for its fibers. Various parts of the plant have been
used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets and soap. It is
also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.
- Flax is used to
produce high quality textile fibers as well as sacking fabrics, dressing
materials, tarpaulins, yarns and ropes. Due to their high strength,
linen yarns and woven fabrics are suitable not only for bedding and
table linen, but also for sewing threads, bookbinding fabrics and heavy
woven fabrics, rucksack fabrics, working clothes, hospital linen and
tropical clothing.
Market
- Canada is the world’s
largest producer and exporter of flaxseed with annual exports valued at
CAN$150-180 million (M). As a result, market conditions in Canada have a
significant impact on global flaxseed prices. Canadian supply increased
by 22% due to large carry-in stocks and above-average production levels
and exports are expected to increase by 21%. Flaxseed prices in Canada
are forecast to average CAN$275 dollars per tonne (/t)
- Chinese ingredients
maker Biogin biochemicals said it has seen an approximately 30 percent
growth in demand for its flax lignans from clients in the US and Europe
and it is increasing its production capacity accordingly
Report
- Flax is one of the
oldest textiles, being tough and durable. Flax targeting the non-textile
market is a high value crop as it is replacing non-renewable resources,
for example plants from the Amazon Basin. The benefit of introducing a
new line of flax for industrial purposes means a food crop is not being
taken out of production.
- Flax and hemp are the
oldest industrial crops in Denmark. At its peak 18,000 hectares of land
was used for the production of both linseed and textile flax. The flax
area constituted approximately 3,500 hectares, while today the
production has almost terminated due to poor economy.
- Flax is experiencing
significant interest for human, livestock, fiber and industrial oil uses
and whereas flax faces strong competition for acres from other oilseeds
as well as a range of agricultural crops.
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