Sisal

The sisal plant has a 7-10 year life-span and a typical plant will produce 200-250 commercially usable leaves in its life-time (hybrid varieties up to 400-450 leaves) and each leaf contains an average of around 1000 fibres.

The fibre is extracted by a process known as decortications – the leaves are cut and transported to a central decorticating plant after which the fibre is dried, brushed and baled – largely for export. Although a small producer, Kilifi Plantations produces some of the highest quality sisal fibre, globally.

Sisal waste is fed into the farm-based biogas plant. It is sometimes used as cattle feed during the dry season.

Uses of Sisal

Rope and twine
Both low-cost and speciality paper
Dartboards
Buffing cloth
Filters
Geotextiles
Mattresses
Carpets and wall coverings
Handicrafts, and other uses.

In recent years sisal has been utilised as a strengthening agent to replace asbestos and fibre glass and is increasingly a component used in the automobile industry, where its strength, “naturalness” and environmentally friendly characteristics are greatly appreciated.