Industrial Hemp
*Photograph and text for illustrative purposes only
• Grown specifically for industrial and medicinal uses
• One of the fastest growing plants, maturing in 3 to 4 months
• Returns 60-70% of the nutrients to the soil
• Carbon sequestration system, one of the fastest CO2-to-biomass conversion tools
• Natural pest repellent, suppresses weeds and decreases outbreaks of insect and disease problems
• Rebuilds and conditions soils by replacing organic matter and providing aeration through its extensive root system
Hemp does not possess nutrients for parasites, unlike wood and other plant-based materials. It is also inflammable.
Construction materials based on hemp range from loose wool (100% hemp) or thermo-welded insulating panels (85% hemp fiber or 80% hemp fiber and hurds) and non woven felts for acoustic damping or leveling (100% hemp fiber) to particle boards for dry walls and ceilings (up to 100% hemp), pellets for slabs (pressed dust, by product of hemp fiber decortication), hemp fiber reinforced polymers for façade panels and curtain walls and hemp oil based varnishes.
Hemp insulation panels can replace non-renewable resources and energy-consuming insulation materials like glass and rock wool, which show the same (or very similar) thermal conductivities.
Hempcrete: Hemp shiv or hurd is mixed with lime-based binder to produce a rigid material that is cast into walls, between or around structural supports. Hempcrete walls, when cured and finished, exhibit low toxicity and good vapor permeability while maintaining a high degree of air tightness, thermal insulation, and stabilizing thermal mass.
Hempcrete: Hemp shiv or hurd is mixed with lime-based binder to produce a rigid material that is cast into walls, between or around structural supports. Hempcrete walls, when cured and finished, exhibit low toxicity and good vapor permeability while maintaining a high degree of air tightness, thermal insulation, and stabilizing thermal mass.
“Batt” Insulation: Hemp fiber is bonded into sheets that can be formed and cut into a variety of dimensions. These are installed as semi rigid “batts” between structural framing as a direct substitute to fiberglass and other typical insulation materials. While hemp fiber insulation exhibits a higher insulation performance, it shows fewer other beneficial characteristics compared to Hempcrete in its typical application.
Hemp Oil Wood Finish and Deck Stain: Hemp oil is pressed from seeds and processed to produce a coating that is easy to use, beautiful and durable. Product test results show that hemp oil-based deck stain can outperform high-end commercial products in resistance to weathering while containing very low levels of toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making it an excellent alternative to synthetic and petroleum based polymer coatings.
Hemp biodiesel is made from hemp seed oil and can be used in any conventional diesel engine. Research showed hemp oil had a 97% conversion rate into biodiesel and passed necessary lab tests.
The rest of the plant can be used to produce ethanol or methanol. Sometimes referred to as “hempanol” or “hempoline”, this type of fuel is made through a process called cellulolysis, which ferments and distills the hemp to extract ethanol. Methanol, on the other hand, is produced from the woody pulp matter in the stalks of plants. Dry distillation is used to create methanol from hemp.
Carbon dioxide emissions from biodiesel are reabsorbed via photosynthesis in plants.
The rest of the plant can be used to produce ethanol or methanol. Sometimes referred to as “hempanol” or “hempoline”, this type of fuel is made through a process called cellulolysis, which ferments and distills the hemp to extract ethanol. Methanol, on the other hand, is produced from the woody pulp matter in the stalks of plants. Dry distillation is used to create methanol from hemp.
Carbon dioxide emissions from biodiesel are reabsorbed via photosynthesis in plants.
Hemp fabric has proved to be superior to its counterparts in almost every way. Its fiber is more porous, breathable and durable.
Cotton is a water-intensive crop and uses 25% of the world’s pesticides.
In comparison, hemp requires 50% less water, and no pesticides to grow, making it a eco-friendly and sustainable option.
Cotton is a water-intensive crop and uses 25% of the world’s pesticides.
In comparison, hemp requires 50% less water, and no pesticides to grow, making it a eco-friendly and sustainable option.
Hemp plastics are made from the stalk of the plant. They are non-toxic, pesticide-free, recyclable and biodegradable (within six months), lighter and 3.5 times stronger than common polypropylene.
Many varieties of hemp contain around 70% cellulose (cotton contains 90% cellulose). Notably, one acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton.
While 100% hemp-based plastic is still a rarity, some “composite bioplastics” (plastics made from a combination of hemp and other plant sources) are already in use. Due to their high strength and rigidity, these plastics are currently used in the construction of cars, boats, and even musical instruments.
Many varieties of hemp contain around 70% cellulose (cotton contains 90% cellulose). Notably, one acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton.
While 100% hemp-based plastic is still a rarity, some “composite bioplastics” (plastics made from a combination of hemp and other plant sources) are already in use. Due to their high strength and rigidity, these plastics are currently used in the construction of cars, boats, and even musical instruments.
Hemp paper means paper varieties consisting exclusively, or to a large extent, from pulp that is obtained from fibers of industrial hemp. Products include mainly specialty papers such as cigarette paper, banknotes and technical filter papers. Hemp pulp fiber is four to five times longer than that of wood pulp, has a significantly lower lignin fraction and higher tear-resistance and tensile strength. Since the processes for the paper industry have been optimized for wood as the feedstock, production costs for paper derived from hemp are currently higher.
Hemp paper can be recycled up to 8 times, compared to just thrice for paper made from wood pulp. Also, in comparison, paper from hemp fibers resists decomposition and does not yellow or brown with age.
Hemp paper can be recycled up to 8 times, compared to just thrice for paper made from wood pulp. Also, in comparison, paper from hemp fibers resists decomposition and does not yellow or brown with age.
As a phytoremediator, hemp essentially pulls toxins out of the soil like a sponge. In some parts of the world, farmers use hemp to restore the quality of the soil in their fields. Studies were assigned to measure the role of hemp in removing radioactive agents from the ground following the nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Research showed that hemp effectively absorbed cadmium from the soil, and that it can effectively clean up a broad range of toxins in the soil, including metals, pesticides, crude oil, and toxins in landfills.
Research showed that hemp effectively absorbed cadmium from the soil, and that it can effectively clean up a broad range of toxins in the soil, including metals, pesticides, crude oil, and toxins in landfills.