Ramie

Ramie is a natural textile material obtained from the plant Boehmeria nivea, commonly known as Chinese nettle, cultivated mainly in Asia. It is one of the oldest cultivated fibre plants, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient Egypt and China, where ramie has been used for over 6,000 years; it also has a long tradition in Japan and Korea. The fibres are extracted from the plant’s bast (stem bark). The processing is labour-intensive: the stems are harvested, retted, and mechanically stripped to separate the fibres, which are then dried, combed, and spun into yarn. Ramie is very strong, has a natural lustre, dyes easily, and offers excellent hygienic properties—it is absorbent and resistant to mould and bacteria. In the textile industry, it is used for products requiring high strength, such as summer clothing, underwear, linens, lace, and technical textiles, as well as in blends with cotton or wool. Although more expensive than cotton, ramie is valued for its eco-friendly nature and long lifespan, making it increasingly relevant in sustainable textile design.