Nettle Fibre - A Sustainable Non-Conventional Bast Fibre for Textile and Allied Industrial Applications

Conventional textile fibres have been the backbone of the textile industry for decades. But growing concerns
about their environmental impact have prompted the researcher to seek more sustainable alternatives. For
example, cotton cultivation requires large amounts of water and pesticides, while synthetic fibres are
petroleum-based and persist in the environment for longer. This has renewed interest in underexplored nonconventional plant fibres, which can provide sustainable raw materials for textile production. Nettle fibre,
obtained from Urtica dioica and Girardinia diversifolia (Himalayan nettle), is a natural bast fibre with
considerable potential. Because of its good strength and durability, it was used as a substitute for cotton during
the First and Second World Wars. At present, nettle grows naturally in many parts of the world and is abundant
in the Himalayan region of India, where it is mainly harvested from forest areas. The Himalayan nettle
(Girardinia diversifolia) is a high-fibre-yielding bast plant that occurs abundantly in the Himalayan region,
particularly in Uttarakhand, and extends into Sikkim at elevations between 1,300 and 3,500 m. This review
covers the botany and agroclimatic requirements of nettle and highlights its traditional and emerging uses in
food, medicine, agriculture, and applications in the textiles sector. The review discusses the steps involved in
nettle fibre extraction, including harvesting, retting, decortication, and alkaline treatment, and also describes
the chemical and mechanical properties of the fibre. With its renewable nature and wide range of applications,
nettle fibre has strong potential to contribute to the development of a more sustainable textile industry while
creating livelihood opportunities in rural regions.