Bast Fibres Flax, Hemp

Bast fibres are obtained from the stems of the corresponding plants hemp is a variety of Cannabis saliva L (diflfering from marijuana by having a considerably low content of A-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the narcotic substance), and flax is obtained from the plant Linium usitatissimum. The fibres contain 70-75% cellulose, with about 4% lignin, 17% hemicellulose and 6% pectin in hemp and 

2% lignin, 20% hemicellulose and 3% pectin in flax. The helical arrangement of the fibrils found in cotton exists also here, but the angle of the helix and its sense differ at each fibre the helix makes 4° and follows a Z sense in hemp fibre, and makes 10° with an S sense in flax. 

Within the stem there are a number of fibre bundles, each containing individual fibre cells or filaments. The filaments are made of cellulose and hemicellulose, bonded together by a matrix of lignin or pectin. 

Compared to cotton the cultivation of bast fibres is much more sustainable. Although not botanically related, both plants grow well in a moderately cool, temperate climate and can be grown in almost any country in the world. The plants are resistant to pests and do not require pesticides. 

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Bast fibres (flax, hemp, jute, ramie,... 

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