TEXTILE
Nettle, a Natural
Fiber to Valorize
Nettle, long seen as a weed, actually hides a true treasure for textiles. Its fibers, both strong and durable, can become an interesting alternative to synthetic fibers or those from intensive farming.
Nettle and Textiles?
Nettle is an interesting plant for textiles, as its fibers are naturally strong, breathable and biodegradable. It grows quickly without pesticides or fertilizers, making it an ecological alternative to cotton. Its fibers are also thermoregulating (they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer) and provide a soft feel, similar to linen, while being more resistant.
The Transformation Process
Main Steps:
- Stem Harvesting: cut at the end of summer, an ideal period to obtain long and resistant fibers.
- Fiber Extraction: drying of stems, then retting to separate woody fibers from the softer part of the stem (this operation can be done by water immersion or by exposure to air moisture).
- Spinning: carding, combing and transformation into yarn.
- Weaving and Making: yarn woven into various types of textiles, from lightweight fabrics for fashion to more robust materials for furnishing or technical textiles.
The Lort’innov Blog
Discover our articles about nettle production and uses.
Inf’Ortie #1: Official Launch of the Lort’Innov Project and First Advances!
