Comparative analysis of environmental indicators and physical and mechanical properties of textile materials of plant origin

The aim was to study the physical and mechanical properties of textile materials based on plant fibres in order to assess their performance and environmental safety, proving the advantages and prospects of using materials such as nettle, flax and hemp as an alternative to traditional cotton. 

The article provides a historical analysis of the technology of production and application of textile materials based on vegetable fibres. Special attention is paid to the comparative assessment of the key characteristics and properties of fibrse such as cotton, flax, hemp and nettle. Experimental studies of the physical and mechanical properties of textile materials based on cotton, flax and nettle fibrse have been carried out. 

The study includes an analysis of the physical, operational and environmental aspects of each type of fibre, which allows us to identify their advantages and disadvantages in the context of modern textile production.

From a comparative analysis of the literature and experimental studies of textile materials made from cotton, flax and nettle fibres, it can be concluded that the most environmentally friendly, high‐yielding, as well as possessing positive physical and mechanical properties is the rami nettle fibre. Rami nettle fibre is the most environmentally friendly, high — yielding and high‐quality material. It has high hygroscopicity, thermal conductivity and breathability, as well as strength and UV resistance and is hypoallergenic. The production of nettle fabrics does not require high energy costs and does not harm the environment, which makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to cotton. 

1. Lorena Ruiz, Mike McCue. Cotton: Review of the World Situation is published every quarter by the Secretariat of the International Cotton Advisory Committee Cotton Production by Country 2025. COTTON Review of the World Situation. 2025, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1–17.

2. Klementyeva M.V., Kumpan E.V. Analysis and advantages of textile materials from bast fibers. In: Zhit' v XXI veke – 2024: sbornik konkursnykh rabot na luchshuyu nauchno‐issledovatel'skuyu rabotu studentov i aspirantov KNITU [Living in the XXI century – 2024: collection of competitive papers for the best research work of students and postgraduates of KNRTU]. 2024, pp. 535–540. (In Russian)

3. Arapova E.G. Cotton, history, production of cotton fiber. Avrora [Aurora]. 2025, no. 2, pp. 10–17. (In Russian)

4. Azanova A.A., Nurullina G.N., Nikitina A.A., Basharova A.T. Plasma modification of the structure of cotton knitted fabrics. Vestnik Kazanskogo tekhnologicheskogo universiteta [Bulletin of Kazan Technological University]. 2011, no. 4, pp. 283–284. (In Russian)

5. Abdullin I.Sh., Nurullina G.N., Azanova A.A. et al. Dyeing of knitted fabrics treated with nonequilibrium low‐temperature plasma. Vestnik Kazanskogo tekhnologicheskogo universiteta [Bulletin of Kazan Technological University]. 2012, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 27–29. (In Russian)

6. Nayak R., Jajpura L., Khandual A. Traditional fibers for fashion and textiles: Associated problems andfuture sustainable fibers. Sustainable Fibers for Fashion and Textile Manufacturing, 2023, pp. 3–25.

7. Antashkova E.A. The potential of textile materials from bast fibers on the Russian market. In: Molodye issledovateli – sovremennoi Rossii. MTSNP «Novaya nauka» [Young researchers – modern Russia. ICNP "New Science"]. 2023, pp. 15–19. (In Russian)

8. Pantyushina O.V. On consumer properties of new bast fibers. Vestnik Torgovo‐tekhnologicheskogo instituta [Bulletin of the Trade and Technology Institute]. 2010, no. 3, pp. 36–41. (In Russian)

9. Sakoshev E.G., Blaznov A.N. Analysis of properties and applications of plant fibers. In: Tekhnologii i oborudovanie khimicheskoi, biotekhnologicheskoi i pishchevoi promyshlennosti [Technologies and equipment of the chemical, biotechnological and food industries]. 2021, pp. 169–179. (In Russian)

10. Grebneva D., Shpirny G., Petrishche F.A. Consumer properties of nettle as a natural fiber. In: Put' modernizatsii Rossii: partnerstvo gosudarstva, biznesa i kooperatsii [Path of modernization of Russia: partnership between government, business and cooperation]. 2011, pp. 218–223. (In Russian)