cottonised hemp

Cottonised hemp is a textile material obtained from the bast fibres of hemp (Cannabis sativa) that have undergone a special cottonisation treatment. During this process, the fibres are shortened and loosened so that their length, fineness, and processability resemble those of cotton. This type of treatment became more widespread in the 20th century as manufacturers sought to use environmentally friendly and durable hemp fibres within conventional cotton-spinning technologies and to expand the range of natural yarns. The processing of cottonised hemp involves retting (dew retting or water retting), mechanical breaking, hackling, cutting, and drying. The result is shorter fibres (approximately 2–4 cm long) that are finer, softer, and suitable for spinning on machinery designed for cotton processing. Cottonised hemp fibres can be spun alone or blended with cotton, flax, or viscose, allowing for a broader range of textile properties and applications. In the textile industry, cottonised hemp is used for the production of fine knitwear, shirts, T-shirts, underwear, bed linen, towels, blended yarns, and technical fabrics. It retains the natural strength, antibacterial properties, and eco-friendly characteristics of traditional hemp fibre while offering greater comfort when worn. It is particularly popular in sustainable fashion and eco-textiles.