Definition
Bast plants are plants from whose stems, leaves, or other plant parts bast fibers are extracted — fibers that are embedded in the vascular bundle region or in the cortical tissue of the plant. They belong predominantly to herbaceous or semi-woody plants, not to fully lignified plants. Typical examples are flax (linen), hemp, jute, ramie, and kenaf, which rank among the most important fiber suppliers for the textile industry. The fibers are released from the plant tissue by retting followed by mechanical processing.
Use in the textile industry
Bast fibers from bast plants such as flax and hemp are processed into yarns and woven fabrics for apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles. Jute, as a low-cost bast fiber, is used primarily in packaging fabrics, sacks, and as a backing material in carpet production. The fibers are characterized by high tensile strength, low elongation, and good moisture absorption, which makes them suitable for many textile applications.
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