FLAX SEARCHES FOR NEW FARMING MARKETS

The Flax Company of Australia, based in south-east Queensland’s eastern Downs, is searching for new markets to give farmers alternative crop options.

A new machine imported from England is processing linseed straw into flax fibre, kenaf and industrial hemp.

Cambooya farmer and company director David House says there is a huge demand for renewable fibres, with flax, kenaf and industrial hemp fibres being used in car mats, carpet underlays, concrete and soil conservation mats.

He says if large enough commercial markets are secured, it could offer farmers alternative winter and summer crops, to rival wheat and cotton.

Mr House says samples of the various fibres are with buyers in Australia and overseas.

“We’ve actually sent some samples to Malaysia. The people there are using it to reinforce concrete and we’ve also sent samples of fibre to Japan,” he said.

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)