Jute Geotextile
Jute has traditionally been used for packaging, specially sacks. Its unique physical attributes have opened up new avenues for diversification, especially in the light of global concerns for the environment. Jute Geotextiles (JGT) are one such diversified products of jute which have proved to be highly effective in addressing soil-related problems in the field of civil engineering and agriculture.
The popularity of Jute Geotextile in the world market is increasing day by day due to its eco-friendly characteristics. Bangladesh is one of the biggest jute producing country.
Jute Geotextiles comes in two varieties – woven and non-woven fabrics. The distinguishing features that make it more eco-friendly are…..
- High moisture absorption capacity
- Flexibility
- Drainage Properties
GeoJute finds application in…..
- Erosion Control & Hill Slope Stabilization
- Road Construction
- River Bank Protection
- Railway Sector
- Agri-Horticulture & Forestry
- Separation, filtration and drainage in civil engineering works
- Agricultural Uses
- Jute Based Consumer Items
- Food Grade Bags
- Jute Reinforced Composites
Advantages :
- Abundant Availability
- Superior Drapability
- Greater Moisture
- Retention Capacity
- Lower Costs compared to Synthetic Geotextiles
- Ease of Installation
- Bio-degradable Properties
Jute Geotextiles are very similar in function to the man-made synthetic Geotextiles (Geosynthetics) – which are made from various petro-chemical derivatives. Various studies both in India and abroad have proved JGT`s efficiency.
| Name of observations | Effect on Synthetic Geotextile | Effect on Jute Geotextile |
|---|---|---|
| Biodegradability | Non Biodegradable | Designed Biodegradable |
| Photo degradability | Not Photodegradable | Photodegradable |
| Metal content | Mercury, lead, cadmium, coper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, Arsenic etc. | None |
| Stabilizer \ sensitizer \ filler\ pigment | Present | Absent |
| Warming effect | Soil temperature increasing 1-20C | No effect |
| Compatible | Normally not compatible | Compatible |
| Biomass | Negative effect | Fertilizer effect |
| On burring | Toxic gas evolves | Only co evolves |
| Effect on water | Pollution on leaching | No pollution |
| Effect on fish/ microbes/ eggs etc. | Harmful | Harmless |
| Effect on plant | Harmful | Helpful |
| Effect on agricultural activity | Increase insect growth by increasingsoil temperature | No effect |
| Extensibility | High extensible | Low Extensible |
| Expected design Life | Not possible (if possible, creates other problems) | Possible |
| Application technology | Special technology and costly | Simple and indigenous |
| Origin | Foreign | Local |
| Cost | More | Less |
| Availability | Imported | Local and easy |
Geotextiles have seen unrivalled growth with a forecast by the United Nations international trade centre (UNITC) of 1,400 million m2 produced by the new millennium. Europe and north American markets each account for 40% with the remaining 20% attributed to Japan, Asia and Australasia. The main applications are separators in earth works, drainage and linings as controlling soil erosion and establishing plant growth.