Advances in Natural Fibre Extraction Techniques

Growing ecological challenges and public awareness of sustainability have led to a steady rise in the prominence of natural fibres, which serve as eco-friendly substitutes for synthetic fibres across numerous applications. Fibre extraction is a crucial step in natural fibre value addition, influencing fibre quality, performance, and overall sustainability. Conventional extraction methods are characterised by excessive water use, intensive labour, long processing times, and a risk of contamination. To overcome the bottlenecks of traditional approaches, various advanced fibre-extraction techniques have been developed. This chapter focuses on these advanced methods, including enzymatic and chemical retting, as well as physical techniques such as steam explosion, ultrasonic, and microwave-assisted retting. Special attention is given to mechanical extraction, which is gaining momentum for its ability to shorten retting time while reducing water and space requirements. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the challenges and barriers to adopting these advanced extraction technologies and examines their potential to improve sustainability in the natural fibre industry.