Dubbed as the golden fibre, jute has once again come in the spotlight with the invention of the synthesised polymer, which can be used to manufacture biodegradable poly bags.
Bangladesh has also moved for the commercial production of jute leaf drink, an alternative to tea. It would help the consumers control diabetes and blood pressure, and reduce fat besides preventing many other diseases.
“Despite criticism over government subsidies to the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sees a huge potential in the jute industry,” said State Minster for Jute Mirza Azam.
After six years of research, BJMC Chief Scientific Adviser Mubarak Ahmed synthesised polymer from jute fibre while Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Chief Scientific Officer Nasimul Gani led the invention of jute leaf drink.
Officials at the textile and jute ministry said production of jute poly-bags in private sector will be encouraged after production in government level kicks off in full swing.
The synthesised polymer more sustainable from polyethylene-made bags, are biodegradable and environment-friendly.
A pilot project has been initiated with construction underway for a plant capable of producing 3,000 to 4,000 bags a day. A commercial production will depend on the success of the pilot.
Commercial production is set to start soon, according to State Minister Mirza Azam.
“The imported machineries will arrive within three months. The project is fully funded by the government,” he told Bangla Tribune.
“We have taken initiatives for producing and marketing of charcoal from jute, jute-leaf drink and other new jute-based products as well as for the multi-purpose use of jute in environment-friendly ways,” said Jute Minister Emaj Uddin Pramanik.
The jute leaf drink, however, is a bit ahead with already being exported.
In 1993, Intertrope commissioned a research on jute leaf, when it was found that it contains herbal values.
In 2016, a team led by Gani of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute invented the tea-like drink the help of Dhaka University.
Two local companies are currently producing tea from jute leafs Intertrope and Dhaka-based Warsi Aqua Agro Tech Limited, which exports to Germany.
The government has taken over the management of Warsi and appointed its owner Ismail Khan as an adviser of a project on jute leaf tea.
In January this year, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation has started building a factory for commercial production of jute leaf drink in Jamalpur at an estimated cost of Tk 11.6 million.
