Over the last several decades, Cannabis sativa L. has become one of the most fashionable plants. To use the hemp potential for the development of a sustainable textile bio-product sector, it is necessary to learn about the effect of the processes creating hemp’s value chain on fibre properties. This review presents a multi-perspective approach to industrial hemp as a resource delivering textile fibres. This article extensively explores the current development of hemp fibre processes including methods of fibre extraction and processing and comprehensive fibre characteristics to indicate the challenges and opportunities regarding Cannabis sativa L. Presented statistics prove the increasing interest worldwide in hemp raw material and hemp-based bio-products. This article discusses the most relevant findings in terms of the effect of the retting processes on the composition of chemical fibres resulting in specific fibre properties. Methods of fibre extraction include dew retting, water retting, osmotic degumming, enzymatic retting, steam explosion and mechanical decortication to decompose pectin, lignin and hemicellulose to remove them from the stem with varying efficiency. This determines further processes and proves the diversity of ways to produce yarn by employing different spinning systems such as linen spinning, cotton and wool spinning technology with or without the use of the decortication process. The aim of this study is to provide knowledge for better understanding of the textile aspects of hemp fibres and their relationship to applied technological processes.

Natural fibers, which are an important part of human environment, are also valuable raw materials used for textile and non-textile production. Diversity of natural fiber shapes and forms is caused by their occurrence in different climatic zones. The abundance of the fiber sources arouses interest and gives opportunity for more comprehensive studies and, what follows, finding new applications for the fibers in industry. This paper presents collection of well- and little-known natural fibers from exotic plants that come from various climatic zones. Image analysis conducted by SEM techniques is a reliable method for evaluation of parameters characterizing surface and cross section of natural fibers. Some information about properties and application of the fibers is also provided.

Flax and hemp fibers are known as textile raw materials with pro-health properties. This paper presents results of research aimed at investigating the antioxidant activity of the fibers in order to explain a mechanism for the favorable influence of textiles made of these fibers when in contact with human skin. The study presents a new approach in evaluation of textile fibers in terms of their inherent pro-health properties. Antioxidant properties of flax and hemp fibers were tested with the use of FRAP and DPPH methods. The content of phenolic acids: syringic, sinapinic, p-coumaric and ferulic acid was determined with the use of HPLC. The results proved that the antioxidant activity of the tested fibers depends on a type and variety of fibrous plants, a method of fiber extraction and subsequent stages of preliminary processing of the fibers. Both decorticated flax and hemp fibers showed higher antioxidant activity in comparison to the fibers obtained with other extraction methods, while decorticated flax of different varieties presented the highest value of the FRAP. Wet methods of fiber extraction and processing caused reduction of phenolic acids content and significantly lower values of the FRAP and DPPH.