Jute on the Rise

In India, the term “geotextile” is used often for either polymeric or natural fiber materials. In most other areas of the world, the word geotextile is used only for polymeric materials. Jute, a versatile natural fiber nearly as popular globally as cotton, is being harvested to great success in India for the production of many products, including temporary erosion control blankets, as reported by the Indian magazine Frontline. With government aid, the Indian jute industry is expanding and exporting the materials. It is important that product users and specifiers do not confuse the TERMINOLOGY and appropriate USE of the materials.