Fibres

Cotton, jute, flax, sisal and hemp are the main crops grown worldwide for the extraction of natural fibres from stems, leaves or seed heads. Seed, bast or leaf fibres can also be obtained from many other plants, from coconuts and agaves to nettles. However, in the age of modern textile fibres, many of these natural fibres are no longer economically viable. France, Belgium, Russia and China still have significant linen production. Cotton is by far the most important of all fibres.