Liberian fiber – Linificio

12 Mar 2023

SUSTAINABILITY

What does it mean: liberian fiber?

The term “Liberian fiber” refers to a specific type of plant fiber that is extracted from the stem of certain dicotyledonous plants, including flax, hemp, jute, and ramie.

These fibers are distinct from fibers extracted from the leaves of monocotyledonous plants (such as sisal and abaca) and from fibers obtained from the seeds or fruits of certain plants (such as cotton and kapok).

Liberian fibers, then, are those obtained mainly from the connective tissue found in the inner bark (or “book”) of the stem of plants.

This type of fiber is characterized by a composition that includes mainly cellulose, but also lignin and pectin to varying degrees depending on the plant of origin.

Cellulose confers to the Liberian fibers properties of strength and flexibility, while lignin and pectin can affect stiffness and moisture absorption capacity

Flax, in particular, is one of the best known and most valued of the Liberian fibers

It has been cultivated for textile fiber production for more than 30,000 years and has a number of properties that make it especially valuable in textiles.

The production of flax as a Liberian fiber follows a process that includes harvesting the entire plant, steeping to separate the fiber from the rest of the plant tissue, and various mechanical processing steps to clean and align the fibers so they are ready for spinning.

Linificio’s flax is internationally certified through brands such as European Flax®, which guarantees the quality and traceability of flax at all stages of processing, from fiber to yarn to fabric and composite products. This type of certification also emphasizes a commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly production practices.

In summary, when we refer to “flax fiber liberian,” we are referring to the textile fiber obtained from the stem of the flax plant, which is characterized by its rich cellulose composition and properties that make it ideal for the production of high-quality, sustainable textiles.