Fibers

Cotton is a fluffy natural fiber that grows on shrubs in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The commodity is a staple in the textiles industry. Cotton Fiber is used in a variety of fabrics like corduroy, chambray, velour, jersey, etc. Cottonseed is used as a feed for livestock, while cottonseed oil is used in culinary purposes and in pharmaceuticals. Linters (small fibers that remain on cottonseed after processing) are used to make bandages, swabs, bank notes and so on.

Wool is a textile fiber obtained mainly from shearing the fleece of sheep. It is a fabric prized for its durability, comfort, and resiliency. It plays an important role in producing items such as clothing, blankets, carpets, and upholstery. While cotton consists almost entirely of plant cellulose, wool consists of approximately 97 percent protein and 3 percent fat. Compared to cotton, wool is highly flame-resistant. It doesn’t spread flame, and instead, it chars and self-extinguishes. Therefore, this type of textile is highly useful in applications in which the reduction of flammability is desired.

Silk is a fabric produced from the filaments of the cocoon of the silk worm. It has a remarkable structure and versatility, as well as physical, chemical, and biological properties. There are mainly four types of natural silks commercially produced in the world namely mulberry silk and Eri silk, Tasar silk, and Muga silk which comes under the category non-mulberry silk. Around 90 percent of global silk production is contributed by mulberry silk. Silk is primarily used in garments and household items, but it is also employed in unexpected ways, such as in bicycle tires and in medicine. 

Lumber is wood that has been processed into beams or planks of varying lengths. It is a key commodity for many industries, including homebuilding, furniture manufacturing, wood flooring, and kitchen cabinetry. The main physical properties of wood include: color, luster, texture, macro-structure, odor, moisture, shrinkage, internal stresses, swelling, cracking, warping, density, sound - electro - thermal conductivity. Loggers use two categories of trees to produce lumber – hardwoods and softwoods. The majority of lumber comes from softwood trees.