ramie

One of the most valuable of natural fibres is extracted from the Ramie. The use of this fibre dates back over 4500 years in China where it was widely distributed. Ramie is the longest plant fibre, measuring 12-25cm. These fibres are grouped together in bundles up to two meters long and are not easily removed from the stems. The pectin which binds the fibres must be dissolved in baths of boiling soda and the stems mechanically prepared. Through this special retting process nearly half of the fiber is lost.

Ramie fibres are water resistant and make for long-lived, shiny textiles. For their great strength, nearly 8 times that of cotton, ramie fibres are often woven into specialty fabrics such as firehose and parachute.

Ramie plants

Boehmeria nivea Gaudich. Urticaceae Ramie, Chinese Nettle The natural distribution of ramie lies in subtropical China thru the foothills of Yunan. Ramie farming is also practiced in Japan, Southeast Asia and in Brasil. Warm climate with adequate rainfall alows for a harvest of stalks from the plants two to six times pro year. Robust, luminescant fibres are extracted from the stems.