Researchers in Minsk, Belarus say they have developed a unique technology which enables them to make knitting yarn from the bast fibre flax. The technology is said to allow the manufacture of flax based yarns which are nearly half the thickness of yarns currently being used by knitwear manufacturers in Belarus and other CIS states. The technology is patented in these territories.

The key feature of the technology is that it uses bioflax - flax rolled tow that has been subjected to mechanical cottonizing and ferments. Cottonizing and special treatment help clean the yarn from dirt and dust, remove chaff and foreign materials, and help break down the yarn into finer components.

The development of the technology is line with similar to developments taking places elsewhere in the world. For example For example the CRAiLAR process developed and commercialised by Naturally Advanced Materials Inc. in North America is said to be the first to remove the binding agents from flax that contribute to its stiff texture by bathing it in a proprietary enzyme wash. The result is claimed to be a textile fibre that merges the strength and durability of flax with the most desirable attributes of cotton.

Tatiana Silich, Candidate of Science (Engineering), head of the Minsk Experimental Raw Materials Department of the Light Industry Research Center said that yarn containing bioflax has been used to make a brand new range of extremely light weight products with modern design and high level hygiene qualities. Products based on the innovative yarn will be shipped to stores in Belarus this summer. The count range for the new yarns has not been disclosed.

The Light Industry Research Center is now working on a technology to allow weaving yarns manufacturers to partially substitute imported cotton with Belarus-grown flax in their products. The bioflax technology will raise the share of flax in weaving yarns from 20-25% to 50% while making the yarns thinner.

The Light Industry Research Center is a research organization within the Belarusian light industry concern Bellegprom. The Minsk Experimental Raw Materials Department develops promising technologies to make new kinds of yarn from natural and man-made fibres, fabrics and knitted goods, nonwovens materials, absorbent cotton and other materials as part of industry research programs for Bellegprom and the State Science and Technology Committee.

According to Piotr Mukha, Candidate of Science (Engineering), Director of the Center, the Center has an accredited body to certify light industry products, operates test labs that perform certification tests for textile materials, leather, and footwear to verify their compliance with requirements of technical regulations, including technical regulations of the Customs Union.