Sisal rope is a natural rope made from the leaves of the Agave plant. Agave is a plant family with thick, fleshy, sword-shaped leaves that take years to develop fully. Sisal is a tropical plant of which only the leaves are harvested. The first harvest takes place after approximately five years. A machine is used to press the leaves to separate the pulp and fibers, while the plant’s juice can be used as a sweetener (Agave syrup) or to make tequila. The fibers of the leaves can be used to make rope and carpets. The fibers are brushed and laid out to dry. Then the decortication process starts, which produces lint to spin into yarn.
Originating from Southeast Africa and Latin America, with the best plants found in Madagascar, Tanzania and Brazil, our sisal is carefully produced from the highest quality white yarns. The greatest threats to harvesting are drought, strikes and war. If Agave plants do not get sufficient moisture, they do not grow well and fewer leaves can be harvested, or the leaves are of lesser quality.