1. Harvesting: Jute plants are harvested when they are around 120-150 days old. The outer bark of the plant contains the jute fibers.
2. Retting: The harvested jute plants are then subjected to a process called retting. In this process, the plants are immersed in water for a few days to soften the fibers and loosen them from the woody stems.
3. Stripping: After retting, the jute fibers are stripped away from the rest of the plant by hand or using a machine.
Step 2: Spinning of Jute Fibers into Yarn
1. Carding: The raw jute fibers are cleaned and aligned using a carding machine. This machine removes impurities like dirt and debris and straightens the fibers.
2. Drawing: The carded fibers are then drawn out into a continuous strand called a roving. This process involves passing the fibers through a series of rollers that gradually reduce their thickness and align them further.
3. Spinning: The roving is then spun into yarn using a spinning frame. The yarn is twisted to give it strength and durability.
Step 3: Weaving of Hessian Fabric
1. Warping: The spun jute yarns are prepared for weaving by arranging them in a parallel fashion on a warping machine.
2. Weft Insertion: The warp yarns are then placed on a loom, where the weft yarns are inserted perpendicularly to create a fabric.
3. Beating: The weft yarns are beaten into place using a reed, which helps to compact the fabric and make it stronger.
Step 4: Finishing of Hessian Fabric
1. Scouring: The woven fabric is scoured or washed to remove any remaining impurities and dirt.
2. Bleaching (optional): Depending on the desired color, the fabric may undergo a bleaching process to whiten it.
3. Calendering: The fabric is passed through heated rollers called calenders to impart smoothness and luster.
4. Packaging: The finished hessian fabric is inspected, rolled, and packaged for distribution.