Fibres

Abstract

A method for producing fibres from potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem sytalk bundles of potato haulm, the method including the step of subjecting the material to retting using biological and / or chem

Description

Technical field This disclosure relates to fibres extracted from the haulm of a potato plant, and to a method for extracting the fibres. Background Cotton, polyester and other fibres such as wool, silk and viscose make up the majority of the world's textile production. These fibres are widely used due to their beneficial physical properties, however the manufacture of each of these fibre types has a significant environmental impact. Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world (after oil), contributing to much of the world's fresh water and natural resource consumption. This is because natural plant-based fibres such as cotton must be grown, using significant agricultural resources including growing area and water. Animal based fibres such as wool also require agricultural resources in order to farm the animals from which they are harvested. Man-made polyester fibres also have a significant environmental impact, as they are typically produced using petrochemical starting products, require large amounts of water for coolant during production, and can produce powerful greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide as a by-product. As the world population continues to increase this problem is only set to worsen. More sustainable approaches to producing fibres have been investigated. In recent times, there has been an increased drive for the use of recycled plastics in the manufacture of man-made fibres. However, concerns remain regarding the long-term disposal of such plastic fibres, since they are typically not bio-degradable. Furthermore, plastic fibres (including those made from recycled source material) are a major source of microplastic pollution due to fragmentation during wear and cleaning. Plants other than cotton have been considered as fibre sources that could potentially be grown and processed using less agricultural resources. However, issues remain with the quality and usefulness of fibres generated from such sources. For example, hemp fibres are significantly thicker and rougher than fibres such as cotton, leading to difficulties producing acceptable clothing materials, and the need for bespoke machinery for preparing fabric using such fibres. Fibres derived from jute, sisal and coir are also typically very rough and stiff making them unacceptable for use in most clothing. Furthermore, the production costs of these types of fibres are typically significantly higher than the production costs of more typically used fibres such as cotton. There exists, therefore, a need to produce high-quality soft fibres from a sustainable and environmentally friendly source. Summary of invention According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of producing fibres from potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem / stalk bundles of a potato haulm, the method including step of: subjecting potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem / stalk bundles of a potato haulm to retting using biological and / or chemical reagents. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the retting includes any one of: enzymatic retting, water retting, chemical retting, dew retting, degumming. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the retting is performed using at least one pectinolytic enzyme. In an embodiment, there is provided a method further comprising a step of mechanically processing fibres after retting. In an embodiment, there is provided a method further comprising a step of downstream degumming of potato haulm material. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the retting is enzymatic retting and is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectinase, cellulase, laccase and hemicellulase. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectate lyase, pectinesterase (endo)polygalacturonase, protopectinase, exopolygalacturonase, polygalacturonase, laccase, xylanase, exo-cellulase, endocellulase, endogenous xylanase, exogenous xylanase, exoxylosidase, arabinfuranosidase, endogalactanase, exogalactosidase, exoglucanase, glucanase, lignin peroxidase, cellobiase, protease, mannanase, alpha-amylase, phytase, lysozyme, bromelain, keratinase, pectinase, mannanse, beta-glucosidase, trypsin, levansucrase and lipase. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a bacteria, the bacteria being selected from a group comprising: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus Paralicheniformis, Dickeya chrysanthemi. Erwinia, Arthobacter, Pseodomonas, Streptomyces, Bacillus felsineus, Granulobacter pectinovorum, Bacillus asterosporous, Pythium ultimum, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus fiesineus, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus thuringiensis. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a fungus, the fungus being selected from a group comprising: Penicillium glaucum, Penicillium italicum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the method further comprises a step of chemical retting. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the chemical retting uses one or more chemicals selected from a group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), sodium bicarbonate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, glacial acetic acid, tartrine, chitosan, citric acid, alkylglucoside, potassium sulfate, sorbitol, glycerol, cysteine, sodium oxalate, bentonite, maleic anhydride, polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tween 20, erythritol, hydroxypropionic acid, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, attapulgite clay, magnesium sulfate, ethanol and calcium hydroxide. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the method further comprises a step of receiving pre-treated potato haulm. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the method further comprises the step of pre-treating the potato haulm. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein pre-treating the potato haulm comprises at least one of: dehydrating, heating, microwaving, boiling and steaming. In an embodiment, there is provided a method wherein the method further comprises a step of dehydrating the potato haulm after retting. According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for performing a method according to the first aspect. According to a third aspect, there is provided a fibre from a potato haulm produced from the method of the first aspect. In an embodiment, there is provided a fibre having a thickness of 30 micrometres or less. In an embodiment, there is provided a fibre having a length of at least 15 millimetres. In an embodiment, there is provided a fibre having a cellulose content of at least 60%. In an embodiment, there is provided a material comprising a fibre according to the third aspect. In an embodiment, there is provided a material further comprising a non-potato fibre that is selected from a group comprising: plant-based fibres, synthetic fibres and semisynthetic fibres. In an embodiment, there is provided a material wherein the non-potato fibre is selected from a group comprising: cotton, hemp, nettle, manmade cellulosics (MMCF) and polyester. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are set out in the numbered paragraphs below: 1. A method of producing fibres from potato haulm, the method including step of: subjecting a potato haulm to enzymatic retting. 2. A method according to Paragraph 1, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using at least one pectinolytic enzyme. 3. A method according to Paragraphs 1 or 2, further comprising a step of mechanically separating fibres after enzymatic retting. 4. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectinase, cellulase, laccase and hemicellulase. 5. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectate lyase, pectinesterase (endo)polygalacturonase, protopectinase, exopolygalacturonase, polygalacturonase, laccase, xylanase, exo-cellulase, endocellulase, endogenous xylanase, exogenous xylanase, exoxylosidase, arabinfuranosidase, endogalactanase, exogalactosidase, exoglucanase, glucanase, lignin peroxidase, cellobiase, protease, mannanase, alpha-amylase, phytase, lysozyme, bromelain, keratinase, pectinase, mannanse, beta-glucosidase, trypsin, levansucrase and lipase. 6. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a bacteria, the bacteria being selected from a group comprising: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus Paralicheniformis, Dickeya chrysanthemi. Erwinia, Arthobacter, Pseodomonas, Streptomyces, Bacillus felsineus, Granulobacter pectinovorum, Bacillus asterosporous, Pythium ultimum, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus fiesineus, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus thuringiensis. 7. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a fungus, the fungus being selected from a group comprising: Penicillium glaucum, Penicillium italicum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. 8. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the method further comprises a step of chemical retting. 9. A method according to Paragraph 8, wherein the chemical retting uses one or more chemicals selected from a group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), sodium bicarbonate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, glacial acetic acid, tartrine, chitosan, citric acid, alkylglucoside, potassium sulfate, sorbitol, glycerol, cysteine, sodium oxalate, bentonite, maleic anhydride, polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tween 20, erythritol, hydroxypropionic acid, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, attapulgite clay, magnesium sulfate, ethanol and calcium hydroxide. 10. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein the method further comprises a step of receiving pre-treated potato haulm. 11. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 10 wherein the method further comprises the step of pre-treating the potato haulm. 12. A method according to Paragraph 11, wherein pre-treating the potato haulm comprises at least one of: dehydrating, heating, microwaving, boiling and steaming. 13. A method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the method further comprises a step of dehydrating the potato haulm after enzymatic retting. 14. An apparatus for performing a method according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 13. 15. A fibre from a potato haulm, the fibre having a thickness of 30 micrometres or less. 16. A fibre according to Paragraph 15, the fibre having a length of at least 15 millimetres. 17. A fibre according to Paragraphs 15 or 16, the fibre having a cellulose content of at least 60%. 18. A material comprising a fibre according to any of Paragraphs 15 to 17. 19. A material according to Paragraph 18, further comprising a non-potato fibre that is selected from a group comprising: plant-based fibres, synthetic fibres and semisynthetic fibres. 20. A material according to Paragraph 19, wherein the non-potato fibre is selected from a group comprising: cotton, hemp, nettle, manmade cellulosics (MMCF) and polyester. Brief description of the drawings One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates example steps of a method for extracting a fibre from the haulm of a potato plant, according to the present disclosure. Detailed description According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for extracting high quality fibres from the haulm of a potato plant, the method involving the use of retting. There is also provided a fibre produced according to the described method, and a fabric comprising such a fibre. The term "haulm" according to the present disclosure refers to the above-ground portion of a plant, and more specifically to the above-ground portion of a potato plant. This may incorporate the stalk and / or the stem of the potato plant. In some examples, only the stalk or only the stem may be used in the fibre producing process. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for receiving pretreated potato haulm material and retting the material . As explained in more detail below, the retting process allows the fibres to be extracted from the potato haulm material. The fibres produced according to the disclosed method are thin, strong and durable. The properties of the fibres produced according to the disclosed method make them suitable for processing into apparel textiles and, more specially, for woven garments. The fibre properties may also allow for processing using the same equipment already widely used to process cotton fibres, without significant (or, indeed, any) modification of the equipment. A fibre may be extracted from a potato haulm by retting the potato haulm using any suitable retting method. The retting method may involve any of: enzymatic retting, water retting, chemical retting and dew retting, degumming. Any of these retting methods may be used in isolation, in any combination and in any order. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a process 100 incorporating the disclosed method that uses enzymatic retting, that could be used to extract high-quality fibres from potato haulm material. This process involves a number of steps that should be considered merely optional features of an example process, and are not all necessary to implement the inventive method of the present disclosure. The process may include a first step 101 of pre-treating the potato haulms. Pretreatment may help to break down various parts of the haulm material, to aid in the extraction of the fibres. Pre-treatment may, for example, reduce the amount of material bonding the fibres together in the haulm, thereby reducing the amount of retting needed to make the fibres extractable. In some examples, pre-treatment may include one or more of: heat treatment, dehydration, crimping, exposure to electrical discharge, microwaving, steaming and boiling. Each of these different pre-treatment steps may help to break down different portions of the haulm material. In some examples, pre-treatment may result in a decrease in the overall mass of the pre-treated potato haulms. The mass loss may be, for example, due to the breakdown of non-cellulosic material in the potato haulms. This may reduce the bonding between the fibres in the haulm material. In some examples, the non-cellulosic material may comprise hemicellulose. In some examples, pre-treatment may alternatively, or additionally, break down the epidermis layer. This may be beneficial as it may allow for the enzymes used in the enzymatic retting step to more easily access the pectin-containing portions of the haulm material. This in turn may improve the speed and / or efficiency of the enzymatic retting step. In an example, heat treatment may involve heating the potato haulms to 260 degrees centigrade in a dry atmosphere, in order to break down the hemicellulose material in the haulm material. In some examples, this may result in a mass loss of between 40% and 55% of the haulm material following pre-treatment. In another example, boiling may involve immersing the potato haulms in boiling water for a sufficient amount of time to cause breakdown of some of the non-cellulosic material. In an example, a boiling time of 225 minutes may result in a mass loss of approximately 40% of the haulm material following pre-treatment. In another example, microwaving may involve subjecting the potato haulms to microwave radiation. In an example, the potato haulms may be soaked in water before being subjected to microwave radiation. Soaking the potato haulms may help the microwave radiation to be absorbed by the potato haulms, for example by increasing the water content of the potato haulms. In an example, subjecting soaked potato haulms to microwave radiation may result in a mass loss of between 20% and 40%. In a further example, crimping may involve physically crushing and / or hammering the haulm material. This may result in the breakdown of some of the non-cellulosic material in the potato haulms. In a second step 102, the potato haulm material is subjected to enzymatic retting, in order to break down the bonding between the fibres within the potato haulm, thereby to allow the fibres to be extracted. The fibres are typically bonded within the phloemcontaining region of the potato haulm. In some examples, the fibres are extracted from the phloem. In some examples, the phloem comprises the fibres to be extracted from the haulm material. In some examples, each fibre may be a section of the phloem that has been extracted from the haulm material. Enzymatic retting breaks down the middle lamella of the haulm material, which bond the fibres together within the potato haulm material. The middle lamella material comprises pectin, which may be broken down during the enzymatic retting process. In some examples, the enzymatic retting step may be performed using a pectinolytic enzyme, which breaks down the pectin in order to allow the extraction of the fibres. In some examples, the enzymatic retting involves applying the retting enzymes directly to the potato haulm material, specifically the potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem / stalk bundles of the potato haulm. In some examples, the enzymes may be suspended in a liquid and the liquid may be applied to the haulm material; this may involve spraying the liquid on to the haulm material, or at least partially submerging the haulm material in the liquid. In some examples, the enzymes may additionally, or alternatively, be applied to the potato haulm material through the use of microorganisms. In some examples, the microorganisms may comprise bacteria and / or fungi. In such examples, enzyme generating bacteria and / or fungi may be applied to the potato haulm material; the bacteria and / or fungi then produce the retting enzymes in order for the enzymatic retting to take place. In such examples, the bacteria and / or fungi may be suspended in a liquid and the liquid may be applied to the potato haulm material; this may involve spraying the liquid on to the haulm material, or at least partially submerging the haulm material in the liquid. In some examples, a combination of retting enzymes and bacteria that produce retting enzymes may be used in the enzymatic retting process. In some examples, the enzymatic retting step may use an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectinase, cellulase, laccase and hemicellulase. Each of these types of enzyme breaks down part of the bonding material that bonds the fibres within the haulm material. One or more of these enzymes may be used in order to help break down this bonding material. In some examples, one or more of these enzyme types may be used directly. In other examples, bacterial may be used to produce one or more of these enzyme types. In some examples, an enzyme used during the enzymatic retting step may be selected from a group comprising: pectate lyase, pectinesterase (endo)polygalacturonase, protopectinase, exopolygalacturonase, polygalacturonase, laccase, xylanase, exocellulase, endocellulase, endogenous xylanase, exogenous xylanase, exoxylosidase, arabinfuranosidase, endogalactanase, exogalactosidase, exoglucanase, glucanase, lignin peroxidase, cellobiase, protease, mannanase, alpha-amylase, phytase, lysozyme, bromelain, keratinase, pectinase, mannanse, beta-glucosidase, trypsin, levansucrase and lipase. Each of these enzymes are known to be effective in breaking down part of the bonding material that bonds together fibres in the haulm material. In some examples, one of these enzymes may be used in isolation. In other examples, two or more enzymes may be used in combination. In some examples, an enzyme used during the enzymatic retting step may be produced using a bacteria selected from a group comprising: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus Paralicheniformis, Dickeya chrysanthemi, Erwinia, Arthobacter, Pseodomonas, Streptomyces, Bacillus felsineus, Granulobacter pectinovorum, Bacillus asterosporous, Pythium ultimum, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus fiesineus, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus thuringiensis. Each of these bacterial have been shown to produce an enzyme known to be effective in breaking down part of the bonding material that bonds together fibres in the haulm material. In some examples, one of these bacteria may be used in isolation to produce enzymes for the enzymatic retting process. In other examples, two or more bacteria may be used in combination. In some examples, the bacteria may be applied directly to the haulm material. In other examples, the bacteria may first be used to produce enzymes and then subsequently the produced enzymes may be applied to the haulm material (without the presence of the bacteria). In some examples, an enzyme used during the enzymatic retting step may be produced using a fungus selected from a group comprising: Penicillium glaucum, Penicillium italicum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. Each of these fungi have been shown to produce an enzyme known to be effective in breaking down part of the bonding material that bonds together fibres in the haulm material. In some examples, one of these fungi may be used in isolation to produce enzymes for the enzymatic retting process. In other examples, two fungi may be used in combination. In some examples, the fungi may be applied directly to the haulm material. In other examples, the fungi may first be used to produce enzymes and then subsequently the produced enzymes may be applied to the haulm material (without the presence of the bacteria). In some examples, the above-described enzymes, bacteria and fungi may be used in any combination in order to perform the enzymatic retting of the haulm material. In some examples, a chemical retting step may instead or may also be used. Chemical retting involves the use of chemicals to assist with breaking down the bonding material within the haulm material, in order to allow the fibres to be extracted. In some examples, chemical retting may involve the use of one or more chemicals selected from a group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), sodium bicarbonate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, glacial acetic acid, tartrine, chitosan, citric acid, alkylglucoside, potassium sulfate, sorbitol, glycerol, cysteine, sodium oxalate, bentonite, maleic anhydride, polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tween 20, erythritol, hydroxypropionic acid, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, attapulgite clay, magnesium sulfate, ethanol and calcium hydroxide. Each of these chemicals has been shown to assist in breaking down at least part of the bonding material of the haulm material. In a third step 103, mechanical separation may be used to separate the fibres from the unwanted portion of the haulm material. In some examples, the fibres may be contained within fibrous bundles, which are separated from the other portions of the haulm material. The other, unwanted, portion of the haulm material may comprise the pith (the xylem-containing woody core of the haulm material, also referred to as the "shiv") and the epidermis. Typically, mechanical separation is performed using a decorticator, or is performed by hand. In a fourth step 104, a first refining of the fibres may be performed. The first refining is a process in which fibre bundles are mechanically pulled into individual fibres and / or microbundles. The first refining step may involve the use of, for example, ultrasonication and / or carding. Ultrasonication is a process wherein ultrasonic waves (i.e., sound waves with a frequency of at least 20 kHz) are used to agitate the fibres and / or fibrous bundles in order to help separate and align them. Carding is a mechanical process that disentangles (and in some examples, cleans and / or intermixes) the fibres and / or fibrous bundles; this may be performed manually using hand tools or by a machine. In a fifth step 105, degumming may be performed. In some examples, the fibres and / or microbundles produced by the refining step (or the mechanical separation step, if no refining step is performed) may retain some bonding material between fibres. Such bonding material may be, for example, pectin and / or lignin. In order to improve the fibre quality, a degumming step may be performed in order to break down at least some of this remaining bonding material. Degumming may involve, for example, enzymes, enzyme-producing bacteria, enzyme-producing fungi and / or chemicals. The degumming step may involve any of the enzymes, enzyme-producing bacteria, an enzyme-producing fungi described above for the enzymatic retting step (described in relation to the second step 102 illustrated in figure 1). In some examples, the degumming step may additionally, or alternatively, involve the use of chemicals to break down at least some of the remaining bonding material. Chemicals for use in the degumming step may be selected from a group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), sodium bicarbonate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, glacial acetic acid, tartrine, chitosan, citric acid, alkylglucoside, potassium sulfate, sorbitol, glycerol, cysteine, sodium oxalate, bentonite, maleic anhydride, polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tween 20, erythritol, hydroxypropionic acid, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, attapulgite clay, magnesium sulfate, ethanol and calcium hydroxide. In some examples, any of the third 103, fourth 104 and fifth 105 steps may be repeated any number of times, in order to further separate and refine the fibres. In a sixth step 106, a second refining step may be performed. The second refining step may involve aligning the fibres in order to prepare them for processing into apparel textiles. As with the first refining step, in some examples the second refining step may be performed using ultrasonication and / or carding. According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus suitable for performing any of the previously discussed method steps. In some examples, one or more of the method steps may be performed by separate apparatuses. In some examples, a fibre produced according to the disclosed method has a diameter of 30 microns or less. In some examples, the fibre may have a diameter of 20 microns or less. A fibre produced according to the disclosed method will typically have a diameter of no less than 8 microns. The diameter of the fibres produced according to the disclosed method are very similar to that of cotton. This is very beneficial, as it should allow for the fibres to be processed into apparel textiles using existing equipment designed for use with cotton and man-made fibres such as polyester. Furthermore, the fibre properties should allow for the production of high-quality apparel textiles with similar visual and tactile properties to existing cotton and polyester based apparel fabrics. These properties of the fibres produced according to the present method are significant improvements over other plant-based fibres, which typically cannot be produced with a similarly low diameter, and are typically too stiff and rough to produce a high quality textile suitable for use in garments. In some examples, a fibre produced according to the disclosed method has a length of at least 15 millimetres. This is advantageous as it allows for the fibres to be spun using standard machinery. In some examples, the fibres may be at least 70 millimetres long. In some examples, the fibres may be significantly longer than 70 millimetres, and may be substantially the same length as the potato haulm from which they are extracted. In some examples, a fibre produced according to the disclosed method may have a cellulose content of at least 60%. A high cellulose content may be required in order for the fibre to be of use in the desired applications. A cellulose content of 60% or higher is suitable for use in applications such as apparel textiles. In some examples, a fibre according to the present disclosure may be combined with fibres from one or more alternative sources, such as plant-based fibres, synthetic fibres or semi-synthetic fibres. By combining (or "blending") the fibre with fibres produced from other sources, a wider variety of material properties may be obtainable. Furthermore, the cost of production of a textile comprising the produced fibres may be reduced by incorporating a fibre from one or more other sources. In some examples, a fibre produced according to the disclosed method may be used in the production of products other than apparel textiles. In some examples, fibres produced according to the present method may be used in the production of any of the following: rigid materials, including sustainable composite materials for use in combination with, or as an alternative for, fibreglass and carbon fibre; - automotive components, including interior rigid and semi-rigid panels; - artificial leather, including in combination with polymer-based materials such as polyurethane; - non-woven materials such as paper alternatives, personal protective equipment (PPE), thermal insulation. The method according to the present disclosure uses potato haulm as a source material. This is particularly advantageous from an environmental perspective as the potato haulm (and, indeed, the entire above ground portion of the potato plant) is presently considered a genuine waste material. This means that there is presently no known use for this portion of the plant; it cannot be used as animal feed, and cannot be composted to provide material for growing other plants due to the risk of proliferating potato-plant related diseases, such as potato blight.

Claims

1. A method of producing fibres from potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem / stalk bundles of a potato haulm, the method including step of:subjecting potato stem / stalk and / or potato stem / stalk bundles of a potato haulm to retting using biological and / or chemical reagents.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the retting includes any one of: enzymatic retting, water retting, chemical retting, dew retting, degumming.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retting is performed using at least one pectinolytic enzyme.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step of mechanically processing fibres after retting.

5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retting is enzymatic retting and is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectinase, cellulase, laccase and hemicellulase.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme selected from a group comprising: pectate lyase, pectinesterase (endo)polygalacturonase, protopectinase, exopolygalacturonase, polygalacturonase, laccase, xylanase, exo-cellulase, endocellulase, endogenous xylanase, exogenous xylanase, exoxylosidase, arabinfuranosidase, endogalactanase, exogalactosidase, exoglucanase, glucanase, lignin peroxidase, cellobiase, protease, mannanase, alphaamylase, phytase, lysozyme, bromelain, keratinase, pectinase, mannanse, betaglucosidase, trypsin, levansucrase and lipase.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a bacteria, the bacteria being selected from a group comprising: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus Paralicheniformis, Dickeya chrysanthemi. Erwinia, Arthobacter, Pseodomonas, Streptomyces, Bacillus felsineus, Granulobacter pectinovorum, Bacillus asterosporous, Pythium ultimum, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus fiesineus, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus thuringiensis.

8. A method according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the enzymatic retting is performed using an enzyme produced by a fungus, the fungus being selected from agroup comprising: Penicillium glaucum, Penicillium italicum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae.

9. A method according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the method further comprises a step of chemical retting.

10. A method according to claim 2 in reference to chemical retting or Claim 9, wherein the chemical retting uses one or more chemicals selected from a group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), sodium bicarbonate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, glacial acetic acid, tartrine, chitosan, citric acid, alkylglucoside, potassium sulfate, sorbitol, glycerol, cysteine, sodium oxalate, bentonite, maleic anhydride, polyacrylic acid, polyhydroxyacrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tween 20, erythritol, hydroxypropionic acid, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, attapulgite clay, magnesium sulfate, ethanol and calcium hydroxide.

11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises a step of receiving pre-treated potato haulm.

12. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the method further comprises the step of pre-treating the potato haulm.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein pre-treating the potato haulm comprises at least one of: dehydrating, heating, microwaving, boiling and steaming.

14. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises a step of dehydrating the potato haulm after retting.

15. An apparatus for performing a method according to any of claims 1 to 14.

16. A fibre from a potato haulm being formed by the method according to any preceding claim.

17. A fibre according to claim 16, the fibre having a thickness of 30 micrometres or less.

18. A fibre according to claim 16 or claim 17, the fibre having a length of at least 15 millimetres.

19. A fibre according to any one of claims 16 to 18, the fibre having a cellulose content of at least 60%.5 20 A material comprising a fibre according to any of claims 16 to 1921. A material according to claim 20, further comprising a non-potato fibre that is selected from a group comprising: plant-based fibres, synthetic fibres and semisynthetic fibres.1022. A material according to claim 21, wherein the non-potato fibre is selected from a group comprising: cotton, hemp, nettle, manmade cellulosics (MMCF) and polyester.A

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