Most of the machines in Indian jute mills are from China. Some of the key clusters where active jute mills are present are Champdany, Delta, Howrah, Kamarhatty, Kanoria, Mahadeo, Rameswaram, Tirupati and Titaghur. The Indian jute industry employs 4,00,000 mill workers and supports an estimated four million families. The market for diversified, value-added jute products is estimated at Rs 400 crores. It is growing 20 per cent year-on-year. The Jute Corporation of India is planning a tie-up with Patanjali for branding and promotion of jute products such as shopping bags and some fashion items. Amid a global push to reduce the use of plastic for environmental reasons, India is promoting jute as a material for reusable shopping bags, home furnishings, clothing, even diapers and women’s sanitary pads.

Jute is a natural fiber with a golden and silky shine. It is the second most important vegetable fiber after cotton, in terms of use, global consumption, production and availability. It has high tensile strength, low extensibility, and ensures better breathability of fabrics. Jute fiber is 100 per cent bio-degradable and recyclable and thus environmental-friendly. It is one of the most versatile natural fibers that has been used in raw materials for packaging, textiles, non-textile, construction, and agricultural sectors. It is used to make good quality industrial yarn, fabric, net, and sacks.