UNB, Dhaka
There is immense potential for jute geo textile both in domestic and international market as it possesses much more advantages than the synthetic fibers.
“Jute geo textile has got immense potential. It is used in controlling soil erosion – of roadside, riverbanks and hillsides,” said Dr. Latifa Binte Lutfar, operations officer of International Jute Study Group (IJSG).
Citing that neighboring India is using jute geo textiles in the construction of national roads, she said that this could also be used in road construction to a large extent in Bangladesh.
Mentioning some of the advantages of jute geo textile, Dr Latifa said that jute geo textile is biodegradable and it doesn’t spoil the nutrition of soil. It is highly hygroscopic and could suck water as well as help consolidate soil, enhance the flexibility of soil and above all, it is cheaper than the synthetic fibers.
“This item can be produced in our local mills as we have access to raw materials,” she said adding that the jute geo textiles could be made even from inferior jute.
Dr Latifa informed that jute geo textile has so far been used locally in two projects-Hatirjheel project and the road from Prime Minister’s office to Agargaon in the capital.
Jute geo textile is a textile to address geo technical problem, she said. Geo textiles are of different kinds-coir geo textiles, jute geo textiles and blend of different fibers.
Dr. Latifa informed that a five-year project, titled ‘Development and Application of Potentially Important Jute Geo Textile’, is underway in Bangladesh and India under the auspices of Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) to promote jute geo textile.
Of the total project cost of US$ 3.962 million, CFC is providing $ 2.045 million, Indian counterpart contribution is $ 1.24 million while Bangladesh counterpart contribution $ 0.567 million.
IJSG is the supervising agency of the project while Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC) is the collaborating institution. BJRI, BUET, BJMC, WDB, LGED and RHD will work as facilitating agencies. Under the project, there will be 26 field trials — 16 in India and 10 in Bangladesh. The trials would be held by the facilitating agencies while JDPC will coordinate their works.
Talking to UNB, JDPC director Md. Mainul Hoque said jute geo textile is now being used globally, including USA and Australia.
Mentioning that jute geo textile is more environment friendly than traditional geo textiles, he noted that Bangladesh is the major contributors of jute geo textiles.
“It’s a new idea and if the use of geo textiles could be increased, the demand of jute would further rise as also its cultivation,” Hoque said.
He informed that Latif Bawany Mills under state-owned BJMC and privately-owned Janata Jute Mills are now exporting jute geo textiles to different destinations including EU, Australia and Canada.
Deputy managing director of Janata Jute Mills Mahmudul Huq said they export around 2,000-2,500 metric tons of jute geo textiles per year.
About the prospect of the product, he said although there is a bright potential they are not in a position to increase their production capacity due to machinery problem and unstable jute price. “The manufacturing base should also be widened.”
Other areas where geo-textiles can be effectively used include management of eroding slopes of roads and railway embankments, mild landslides, prevention of railway track settlement, river embankment and management of solid waste.
source:http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=169942
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