Description

Tampico Fiber, or Mexican Fiber as it is more commonly known, must surely be one of the most remarkable natural fibers.

 It grows in only one region of northern Mexico in the form of a cactus of the species agave Lechuguilla.

This cactus grows completely naturally, and cannot be cultivated, and therefore although it is farmed and harvested commercially, the rest must be left completely to nature.

 It thrives in the hot, dry climate of the highlands of northern Mexico. Harvesting is done traditionally by hand, as is most of the processing. Only the final dressing takes place by machinery.

 Examined under a microscope, the fiber has a series of tiny hooks or barbs, which gives the fibre a natural slightly abrasive quality. This makes the fiber the ideal choice for applications such as the manufacture of mops for metal polishing. This characteristic also enables the fiber to carry polishing compounds extremely well.

 This is also true for other liquids. Tampico fiber is excellent for carrying and retaining water with minimal loss of rigidity, which makes it the ideal choice for the manufacture of nailbrushes and body and bath brushes where a completely natural product is required.

It is also very suitable for the manufacture of distemper and masonry paintbrushes.

 The fiber is extremely strong and hardwearing, and is resistant to attack by many chemical solutions and solvents.

Being a natural fiber it has excellent anti-static properties, degrades completely naturally with no harm to the environment and is harvested from a completely renewable source.