Retttingin

Rett tingin, commonly written rettingin in some sources, designates the retting process, a key step in producing bast fibers. Retting refers to the biological, chemical, and mechanical methods that loosen and separate usable fibers from the plant stalk by degrading pectin and other matrix materials that bind the fiber to the surrounding tissue.

There are several retting methods: water retting, in which plant materials are submerged in water for days to weeks and microorganisms and enzymes break down pectin; dew retting, where stalks are left in fields to moisture and dew degrade pectins; chemical retting, which uses alkaline solutions to dissolve pectins rapidly but can risk fiber damage and create chemical effluent; enzymatic retting, which employs targeted enzymes such as pectinases for more controlled processing with potentially lower environmental impact; and mechanical retting, which relies on physical separation aided by rollers or other equipment and is often used in combination with other methods to reduce chemical use.

Applications of rettingin extend to flax for linen, as well as hemp, jute, and kenaf fibers. Fiber quality depends on retting duration, environmental conditions, and the plant species. Environmental concerns focus on water use, effluent composition, and odor in some methods; modern practice increasingly favors closed-loop systems, enzyme-assisted retting, and milder processing to balance efficiency, cost, and sustainability.

Rett tingin thus denotes a central stage in natural fiber production, linking agricultural material, processing technology, and environmental stewardship within the textile industry.