Secondary Fibre
Collection of shorter, tangled flax fibres that are rejected during the scutching of the flax plant. Every scutcher tow is the byproduct of the process that extracts the high-value long line flax. While it is too short and disorganized for fine wet spinning, it remains a valuable material for coarser textile products.
The tow is collected and baled for sale to manufacturers of cordage, heavy canvas, twine or non-woven insulation.
Industrial Application
Utility of this fibre lies in its strength and natural resistance to decay. Because it contains a higher percentage of woody shives than the long line fibre, the scutcher tow requires additional cleaning before it can be spun into yarn. It is often used as a blending component with other natural or synthetic fibres to create durable upholstery fabrics.
The market value of the tow is a significant factor in the overall economics of the flax mill.
Material Grading
Separation of the tow into different quality classes depends on the length of the fibres and the amount of remaining woody matter. High-grade scutcher tow is used for dry-spun yarns, while the lowest grades go toward paper production or composite materials. The mill records the volume of tow produced to track the total yield of the flax straw.
Productive use of every fibre grade is the standard for modern linen mills.
