Sisal is a natural coarse fiber obtained from the leaves of the plant Agava sisolana from the genus Agave , sometimes the plant itself is also called sisal.
These fibers are isolated from fresh leaves, usually without special treatment. Decorating machines crush and crush the leaves, as a result, the fiber separates, which is then washed, dried in the sun and treated with brushes. The composition of the fibers: cellulose (55–65%), lignin (10–20%), hemicellulose (10–15%), pectin (2–4%). Elementary fibers are shiny, yellowish. Goes on the manufacture of ropes, all kinds of nets, twine, packaging (packaging) fabrics, classic targets for darts , mattresses, washcloths, brushes and the like.
In the sixteenth century , ships with surprisingly strong ropes arrived in Spain from South America, and since the sailors did not know the name of the plant, the ropes and ropes obtained from fiber were called “sisal” (after the name of the Mexican port of Sisal ). Agave culture was exported from the Central America in the colonial era and spread widely in tropical countries.
The first place in production is Brazil , the second is Tanzania . World sisal production is gradually declining, as it is being replaced by synthetic fiber.
| The largest manufacturers (2016) [1] | ||
|---|---|---|
| A country | Production (tons) | |
 Brazil | 180 938 | |
 Tanzania | 33,826 | |
 Kenya | 23,390 | |
 Madagascar | 17 816 | |
 Mexico | 12 371 | |
 China | 12 058 | |
 Haiti | 10 652 | |
| The whole world | 298 498 | |
World sisal production by years, thousand tons [1] .
See also
- Hemp
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 FAOSTAT - Crops . Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: The Statistical Division. Date accessed August 29, 2018.
Literature
- Sisal // Safflower - Soan. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1976. - ( Great Soviet Encyclopedia : [in 30 vols.] / Ch. Ed. A. M. Prokhorov ; 1969-1978, vol. 23).