Lumite Inc. to ship over 9 million sq feet of ginseng shade cloth over one season

Increasing cultivated ginseng production with a specially designed woven monofilament shade fabric.

Another example of solution-based innovation/marketing that is a foundation of The Thrace Group ethos: Lumite woven monofilament shade fabric contributes in increasing cultivated ginseng production for the first time in many years, to meet the high market demands in China and the US.

The North American ginseng business has started to rebound after being dormant for years. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is highly valued in the United States and China as a herbal remedy. It is used for stress, increased energy levels, mental acuity, sexual impotency, nervousness and dyspepsia. Wild grown ginseng (found in Eastern Canada, the northern regions of the US and in the Appalachian mountains) has been severely depleted by collecting for commercial purposes. It is now considered rare and collection in the wild is either prohibited or highly regulated in the US.

This over harvesting of wild grown ginseng led to cultivated ginseng in the US, Canada and China. Commercially cultivated  ginseng root takes at least 4 years to mature before harvesting. To duplicate the growing conditions of the deciduous hardwood canopy found in the wild, Lumite developed and introduced a woven monofilament shade fabric a number of years ago. It was immediately a success as it allowed growers to rapidly expand production of the ginseng root to meet growing demand. As with all commodities rising prices in conjunction with increased production capability eventually led to an oversupply and reduced cultivated production. However, today increased demand in China and the US plus rising prices for ginseng has resulted in increased cultivated production for the first time in many years.

Lumite is the preferred brand for ginseng shade cloth and has a highly successful track record in the US and Canada and for this season it will ship over 9 million square feet of ginseng shade cloth. All ginseng fabric must be converted into specific panel sizes with hanging tape and grommets to fit the many different sized shade structures in the US and Canada. Lumite has the capability to weave and fabricate all its ginseng fabric. This assures a quality product through out the manufacturing process. US and Canadian growers expect a 16 year life cycle (4 harvests) from Lumite ginseng shade cloth.