Hemp is an industrial variant of cannabis sativa plant and offers many applications. As a fiber crop, hemp is commonly used to make textiles such as fabric, rope and canvas for textile production; paper products made from it; biofuel; construction materials as well as biodegradable plastic production are among its uses. Hemp should not be confused with marijuana which comes from this same species but grown for recreational or medical use with higher concentrations of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an ingredient responsible for creating its signature “high”.
Hemp has long been grown for its many useful industrial applications and sustainable, multipurpose use. It’s used in food, cosmetics, fuel production and building products – products we all rely on daily. Hemp plants have been around for millennia – with continued advancement in technology opening up new possibilities of their use today.
Hemp stalks are harvested and baled like hay before processing to isolate its bast fibers from its woody core. Bast fibers contain high levels of cellulose while having very little lignin binding them together – something which requires energy intensive processes to do effectively; due to this lower level of lignin content in hemp plants than other plants with lower percentages of cellulose content, spinning yarn from hemp yarn and weaving fabrics from it more easily than with other plants that don’t feature hemp as often.
Hemp is an ideal material for clothing because of its ease of spinning. The fabric is strong and durable, as well as water resistant and breathes well, making it great for outerwear applications. Plus, hemp resists abrasion better than most textiles as its structure helps it maintain its shape better without stretching or sagging over time.
Hemp seeds are processed into hemp oil for consumption as part of its health benefits. Hemp seed oil contains GLA and arginine which work to lower inflammation levels and blood pressure; additionally it serves as an excellent source of essential fatty acids.
Hemp can be blended with concrete to produce “hempcrete,” an eco-friendly building material with superior strength over conventional concrete. Hempcrete has become increasingly popular for both commercial and residential construction due to its strength. Steel and other non-renewable building materials can be costly. By using natural fiber with lime binder, natural building products offer cost-effective strength and durability similar to that found in traditional concrete while being produced without using fossil fuels for its production. Hempcrete has been employed in the construction of structures such as the Eiffel Tower. This material is set to become an increasingly common construction material worldwide, estimated to already contain more than 100,000 tons in use today; when compared with concrete it is expected to reduce emissions by 40% or so.
