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Is flax a sustainable answer to throwaway fashion?
Flax and linseed are members of the same family, linum usitatissimum, ancient plants that have been used for thousands of years.
Linseed is grown to produce oil but the seed is classed as a ‘superfood’ due to its rich content of essential fats, Omega 3 and Omega 6, vitamins and minerals. Flax is grown for its fibre and is traditionally very good for making rope, string and, of course, linen.
However, flax also has potential to provide valuable fibres for biocomposites and textiles, and also for insulation, fibre board and biofuel, explained Dr Adrian Brennan of Durham University.
The versatile plant could be used to provide renewable building materials and sustainable clothing. However, it would need considerable investment in commercial scale processing and requires specialist equipment for harvesting.
The absence of UK-based breeding means there is a need for locally adapted crops, which would currently be risky for farmers.
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