Modern Uses of Industrial Hemp: Stalks


Bast Fibre

Textiles

Hemp fibre is one of the strongest, longest and most durable vegetable fibres. Hemp fabrics have superior qualities such as UV resistance, distinctive feel, antibacterial properties, and breathability. Hemp fibre can be spun as smooth as silk or as coarse as burlap.

 

 

 

 

hempfabric

Fabrics

  • Apparel
  • Bags
  • Shoes
  • Socks
 

Technical Textiles

Hemp fibre is prized for its strength, length and durability and makes outstanding twine, ropes and fibre-mats.

  • Cordage
  • Netting
  • Canvas
  • Carpeting
 

New Use Industrial Products

Hemp fibre is used in industrial products for both its technological and ecological benefits. One of the biggest markets currently is the automobile industry, where hemp fibre is replacing fibreglass in interior panels.

  • Biocomposites – materials made by nature or synthetically that include some type of natural material in their structure.
  • Geotextiles – permeable fabrics which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to filter, reinforce, separate, protect or drain.
  • Nonwovens – a sheet or web structure bonded together by entangling fibre or filaments mechanically, thermally or chemically.
  • Pultrusion – an automated process for manufacturing composite materials into continuous, constant cross-sectional profiles.
  • Compression Moulding – compressing materials containing a temperature-activated catalyst in a heated matched metal die using a vertical press.

 

Paper

Hemp paper does not need chlorine bleach in its manufacturing, does not yellow and lasts a long time, making it ideal for use in cigarette paper and bibles. Hemp’s long, strong fibres also make it ideal for making durable cardboard and packaging. One acre of hemp can provide as much as four times as much pulp as an acre of trees, on a sustainable basis.

  • Environmentally friendly paper
  • Packaging
  • Cardboard
  • Cigarette papers
  • Filters
  • Bibles
  • Newsprint
 

Energy & Environmental Products

Hemp produces a large amount of biomass, which can be converted into ethanol to be used as fuel as an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic petro-chemicals. The by-products from this process include foods, animal feeds, biochemicals, liquid fuels, organic chemicals and various materials, making it a much more attractive option to oil refineries.

  • Ethanol/ Biofuel
  • Erosion Control Blankets 

 

Hemp Hurd

Building Materials

Hemps applications in the building industry range from a strong, light and durable cement, when mixed with lime, to environmentally friendly insulation, to an input for fibreboard.

  • Hempcrete
  • Insulation
  • Fibreboard

Hemporium built South Africa’s first hemp home; “The House that Hemp Built”, in 2012. This house has received great exposure and has led to 3 more hemp buildings in Cape Town. Hemporium sees a great future for hemp construction and is committed to making this construction method available to all.

Please watch this video for more info.

 

Industrial Products

Due to its high absorbency rate and quick decomposition, hemp has several applications as an industrial product.

  • Animal Bedding
  • Mulch
  • Boiler Fuel
  • Chemical Absorbent

 

Hemp Textiles Infographic

Why Hemp?

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Hemporium has pioneered hemp building in South Africa, starting with “The House that Hemp Built” in Noordhoek Cape Town in 2011.

This house is a showcase for hemp products and includes hempcrete walls, hemp chipboard, hemp insulation, hemp carpets, curtains, couches and more.

We have since been involved in 4 more buildings, including a Soup Kitchen in Khayelitsha.

Hempcrete is the “better than zero carbon” building system. For more information please visit the “USES” section or click HERE for an article on the original house.
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