Flax; tow and waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock

HS code 530130 covers flax, tow, and waste materials derived from the processing of flax. Flax is a versatile natural fiber that has been used for centuries in the production of textiles, including linen. The flax industry plays a crucial role in the global textile supply chain, providing raw materials for a wide range of products, from high-end apparel to industrial applications.

The production of flax fiber involves several key steps. First, the flax plants are harvested and the stems are retted, a process that separates the fibers from the woody core. The fibers are then scutched, a mechanical process that further separates and cleans the fibers. Finally, the fibers are hackled, a process that aligns and straightens the fibers in preparation for spinning or other downstream processing.

The main inputs required for the flax industry include the flax plant itself, which is typically grown in temperate climates. Additionally, specialized machinery and equipment, such as retting tanks, scutching machines, and hackles, are necessary for the various processing stages. Labor, energy, and water resources are also important inputs in the production of flax fibers and related products.

The primary outputs of the flax industry covered by HS code 530130 include flax fibers, tow (the coarser, shorter fibers), and various waste materials, such as yarn waste and garnetted stock. These outputs are then consumed by other industries, such as 5303 Jute, true hemp, and other vegetable textile fibers; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn and 5309 Woven fabrics of flax, where they are further processed into a wide range of textile products.