Flax: A Traditional Fiber Crop with Modern Sustainable Potential

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has been a companion of human civilization for millennia, from prehistoric fiber use to a key crop for future sustainable industries. Its dual function as a textile and oilseed crop has influenced cultural heritage, economic growth, and technological innovation throughout the centuries. This chapter outlines the taxonomy, morphology, and worldwide distribution of flax, followed by fiber characteristics, processing technologies, and the historical journey from ancient Egypt onward to the Industrial Revolution. Modern applications of flax include sustainable textiles, green composite materials for interiors and biomedicine, and new technologies such as energy storage and clean water filtration. High emphasis is placed on eco-friendly processing innovations with a low carbon footprint, as well as on the prospective and actual environmental benefits of flax compared to synthetic fibers. Blending cultural heritage with technological innovation, flax becomes a strategic crop that bridges tradition and sustainability in the bio-based economy.