INTRODUCTION

• Linen is a cellulosic fibres derived from the stem of the flax plant or linum usitatissimum which is one of the oldest cultivated plant In human history.
• Fragments of straw. seeds, fibres, yarns, and various types of fabrics dating to about 8000 BC have been found in Swiss lake dwellings.
• Flax is an annual plant, which means it only lives for one growing season.
• From seed-planting, it is ready to be harvested in about a hundred days. Unless the weather is particularly warm and dry.flax requires little watering or attention during this time.
• It grows to about three or four feet tall, with glossy bluish-green leaves and pale blue flowers--though on rare occasions,the flowers bloom red.
• Flax is grown in many parts of the world, but top quality flax is primarily grown in Westerm European countries and Ukraine.
• In very recent years bulk linen production has moved to Eastern Europe and China.
• Linen market in India is spread over southern most part. Kochi is the centre of the production of Linen.
• Composition of linen is as follows:

Cellulose  : 92%

Hemi Cellulose  : 2%

Lignin  :4%

Others  :2%

• Cellulose is the principle element of Linen.
• Structure of Hemi Cellulose.