Eco-friendly Jute Processing in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the largest exporters of jute which is commonly processed with mineral Jute Batching Oil (JBO). JBO-processed jute products (especially food grade packaging item) have poor acceptability worldwide mainly due to their unpleasant odor, texture and the possible presence of carcinogenic compounds Foreign market has demanded replacement of mineral JBO and it is high time not to ignore the market signal. Therefore, primary focus of this research work was to develop an alternative to mineral JBO that will be eco-friendly in addition to retaining desired properties, particularly strength and longevity and will . The study was conducted by processing jute with castor oil as well as the traditional mineral JBO. The jute properties such as strength, brightness, whiteness and moisture content were evaluated and the results interpreted using FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectrum) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis. While castor oil is eco-friendly and relatively odor-free, the results indicate that it has lower strength than mineral JBO processed jute products possibly due to enhanced biodegradability.