Sisal

Product Details

Sisal (genus Agave spp. L., family Agavaceae), of the species A. sisalana, is a plant used as a raw material in the production of yarn. It is cultivated in semi-arid regions because it is resistant to aridity and intense sunlight. The fiber from the leaves of the agave is mainly used, which is mainly used in the rope industry (ropes, twine, carpets, etc.), and is considered the hardest vegetable fiber in existence.
The need to preserve nature and strong pressure from environmental groups have contributed to the increase in the use of natural yarns, since synthetic fiber takes up to 150 years to decompose in the soil, while sisal fiber becomes a natural fertilizer in months.
The main products are biodegradable yarns used in crafts, ropes for various purposes, pulp for the cellulose industry, tequila production, decorative carpets, medicines, biofertilizers, animal feed, organic fertilizer and bags. The fibers can also be used in the automotive industry, replacing fiberglass.

The cycle of transformation of sisal into natural threads begins when the plant is 3 years old, or when its leaves reach about 140 cm in length, which can result in fibers measuring 90 to 120 cm. The fibers represent only 4 to 5% of the gross mass of the sisal leaf. The leaves are cut every 6 months during the plant's useful life, which is 6 years. At the end of this period, a stem (inflorescence) is generated, the arrow, where the seeds of a new plant emerge. A characteristic of the family is that the plant dies after producing the seeds.