Profile for the Production of Fibre From Kenaf and Sisal - SNNPR ...

223-8and 2500 tons of kenaf fibre will be annually produced. It is estimated that the raw sisalleave and kenaf stalk will cost Birr 1.75 per kg. Thus, the annual raw material cost at fullcapacity production is estimated to be Birr 23,633,750.B. UTILITIESElectricity and water are required in sisal and kenaf production, electricity is required forrunning production equipment and lighting purposes. Water is required for washing thefibres, for sanitation and human consumption. It is estimated that annual electricityconsumption will be 24,000 kWh, where as annual water consumption will be Birr 2000.Thus, the total expenditure on water and electricity will be Birr 13,376.V. TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERINGA. TECHNOLOGY1. Sisal FibreThe fibres are extracted from the leaves of the plant (Agave sisalana) normally grown inSNNPRS. The agaves have rosettes of fleshy leaves, usually long and narrow, whichgrow out from a central bud. As the leaves mature they gradually spread out horizontallyand are 1-2 meters long, 10-15 cms wide, with a thickness of about 6 mm at the centre.The fibres are embedded longitudinally in the leaves, and are most abundant near the leafsurfaces. The leaves contain about 90% moisture, but the fleshy pulp is very firm and theleaves are rigid. The fiber is removed when the leaves are cut because dry fibers adhereto the pulp. The fiber is removed by scraping away the pulpy material, generally by amechanical decortications process.In decortications, the leaves are fed through sets of fluted crushing rollers. The crushedleaves are held firmly at their centers and both ends are passed between pairs of metaldrums on which blades are mounted to scrape away the pulp, and the centers are scraped