Hastings Jute Mill, one of the oldest Jute Mills in India was established at Rishra on the bank of  River Hooghly,in the year 1858. This mill was fully modernised during 1955 - 1965 by replacing old spinning frames and its back process. A very big Broad Loom Section was added to make carpet backing cloth. Besides this, a full fledged Statistical Quality Control Department was established and quality improvement devices were brought into application to meet the stringent quality standards of the consumers. This jute mill continues to maintain its repute in foreign markets for its quality products. Hastings Jute Mill is having a production capacity of 110 M. tons per day. It deploys about 4500 personnel. It now functions as a Division of the Murlidhar Ratanlal Exports Ltd.

In recent times a revolutionary change in the world of jute has brought with it a change in motivation. Here the concepts of ‘Ecological Awareness’ and ‘No threat to Health’ are gaining ground.

Traditional method of softening jute fibre was to make it spinnable through application of petroleum based Jute Batching Oil (JBO). This method is almost on the verge of extinction. The present day health conscious world is not ready to accept even the minimal presence of Hydrocarbon residues in jute bags to migrate into the food grade items packed therein.

International Jute Organisation in conjunction with IOCCC, CMA and CAOBISCO have determined in 1998 the international criteria for Foodgrade Jute Bags.

India being the largest producer of jute goods in the world was very much aware of this changed world phenomenon. IJIRA (the Indian Jute Industries Research Association) accepted the challenge of inventing an alternate Jute Batching Oil which would prevent presence of Hydrocarbon in jute bags. Through sustained and intensive research, IJIRA developed a suitable non-toxic alternative Batching Oil, based on Rice Bran Oil. When jute fibres are treated in this process, they not only meet the criteria determined by the IJO and others but also remain free from any undesirable odour or odours unlikely of jute. This alternate JBO from IJIRA also received international recognition and being patented.

With the invention of Jute Batching Oil (Rice Bran Oil based), a Hydro Carbon Free process, IJIRA selected a few Mills including Hastings Jute Mill, who installed a new process line, completely different from the petroleum based JBO process. It received license from IJIRA which carries out continuous monitoring and inspection at the Mill to maintain quality parameters.

Hastings Jute Mill produces HydroCarbon Free Food Grade Quality Jute Cloths and Bags which may be plain, laminated and polylined strictly as per the laid down International Analytical and Organoleptic criteria under rigid quality control of the IJIRA.

Food Grade items like Cocoa, Coffee Beans and Shelled Nuts need natural,  non-toxic material to retain their  freshness,  natural  aroma and taste Thus HydroCarbon free jute bags manufactured, by Hastings Jute Mill are the ideal packaging medium for them.