Story from STV News

Tuesday 5th June 2007

 

Jute proves to be versatile to the end

A company is making eco-friendly coffins from jute

A Dundee company is making new uses of the material which was the focus of the city's industrialisation in the 19th century.

It once helped to cover the wagon trains of the pioneers who blazed a trail across the Wild West but now it is being used to make coffins for eco-friendly funerals.

At one time jute was Dundee's staple industry. In a town that already specialised in textile production, the material took things to a new level.

As the city's population began to rise, Dundee became known as Juteopolis before manufacture eventually declined.

Though no longer in its heyday, jute remains an extremely versatile material.

At one time jute was Dundee's staple industry
Now a Dundee company, established at the height of the jute boom, has found new ways to use jute fibres.

McGregor Balfour has been manufacturing handbags for the past five years - now they are turning their hands to jute coffins.

You can soften or stiffen jute depending on what you want to do to it.

The company's bags are now selling in 85 shops.

In a world where green thoughts abound, the coffins are a new way of diversifying.

They will soon be shown off at an exhibition in England.