Below you can learn more about sisal including where it grows, how sisal is produced and processed, the impact on the environment and a general history of sisal.
Structure
Habitat
Varieties
Production
Processing Methods
Applications
Environmental Impact
History
Natural Structure - Sisal
Sisal plants have spectacular sword-shaped leaves that create a rosette up to 2 metres tall and are densely packed with seemingly coarse sisal fibres. The naturally fleshy leaves are often edged with small teeth that are lost as the plant reaches maturity.
A closer look at the fibres reveals them to be relatively smooth, straight and subtley yellow in colour. Instrumental in the worldwide success of sisal is its natural resistance to water damage, making for a robust fibre that maintains its integrity without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Habitat
Sisal thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates in temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and with generous levels of sunshine.
Ideal growing conditions can be found in Brazil, parts of Asia and Eastern Africa, where high quality sisal is grown in the greatest volume.
Sisal Varieties
The most noticaeble variation in sisal comes from geographic location, where local conditions play a key role in the quality of the sisal fibre produced.
The highest quality sisal is considered to be that from Tanzania and its East African neighbour Kenya, though Brazilian sisal is also popular for its versatility.
Sisal Production
Sisal is the 6th most commonly produced fibre globally and accounts for 2% of the world's plant fibre production.
(2003 figures)
Brazil 125,000 tons
China 40,000 tons
Tanzania 22,000 tons
Kenya 8,000 tons
Other producers include South Africa, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela and Cuba.
Sisal Processing
Sisal fibres are extracted from the leaves of the sisal plant using a process known as decortication.
The leaves are crushed under a rotating wheel set with blunt blades that separate the thick fibres from the fleshy pulp and washed clean with water. Various drying methods are employed from sun drying to the use of hot air to ensure the fibres are at their optimum moisture level, a measure of which being a reliable guide to quality.
The dry fibres can then be combed free of impurities and graded according to intended usage.
Applications
Sisal is one of the most widely used natural fibres in the world and boasts an ever growing list of popular products that make use of its inherent strength and durability.
The lowest grade sisal is often in paper, craft materials and dartboards. Moving up the scale to medium grade sisal we find extensive production of ropes and twines. The highest grade sisal is reserved for the manufacture of rugs and other luxury home furishings.
Environmental Impact
Sisal is considered as one of the least environmentally damaging harvested plants as no pesticides or chemical fertilizers and most weeding is carried out by hand.
History of Sisal
Sisal gets its name from the Yucatan port of Sisal from where it is shipped, despite not being grown in the area. Experts suggest that South Eastern Mexican state of Chiapas, may be where sisal production really has its origins.
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