Hemp: Rediscovering Nature’s Versatile Gift - Part III - Industry Applications
Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant which has been grown for thousands of years due to its versatility. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains just trace amounts of the psychoactive chemical THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, making it a legal crop grown around the world.
Its applications are as broad as they are spectacular and include medicine, clothing, and construction.
In a series of articles, I’ll explore hemp’s remarkable benefits and versatile uses, examine the optimal conditions for its cultivation, and reveal why this plant's enormous potential remains virtually unexplored.
I hope that my pieces will result in a renewed understanding of this incredible natural gift, reintroducing its numerous benefits into everyday life.
In part one, I presented you the wonderful benefits of hemp.
In part two, I explained how to grow it even in your home.
In this part, you will find out why hemp could be a staple in numerous industries.
1. Clothing Industry
Hemp has been used in fabrics for thousands of years, and its popularity is increasing due to its environmental benefits and durability.
The advantages of using hemp fabrics include:
→ Sustainability
Hemp is one of the most sustainable fibers, requiring less water and herbicides to grow. It also grows quickly, frequently reaching maturity in 100 days.
Compared to cotton or synthetic fabrics, which need a lot of water, chemicals, and energy to produce, hemp is a more environmentally friendly option because it requires less chemical treatment during processing.
→ Durability
Hemp fabric is extremely sturdy and durable, and it often becomes softer and more pleasant with each washing. Hemp fibers are inherently resistant to mildew, mold, and ultraviolet light, making them ideal for outdoor wear.
→ Breathability and Comfort
Hemp materials are both breathable and able to absorb moisture, making them excellent for hot weather. They also have natural antibacterial properties that keep clothes fresher for longer.
→ Healthier Clothes
The vibrational frequency of clothing made of natural materials is higher and more harmonious. Using natural textiles like hemp, cotton, and wool can help people stay grounded and in balance by preserving their connection to the natural world and the Earth.
Hemp-based clothing, which includes everything from shirts and trousers to eco-friendly outerwear, socks, and accessories, provides a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
2. Building Supplies
Hemp has a long history as a building material, especially in the form of hempcrete - a bio-composite made from hemp hurds (the woody core of the hemp plant) and lime.
Using hemp in construction offers several advantages, including:
→ Sustainability
Hempcrete is an extremely sustainable building material because hemp grows quickly and requires minimal water or pesticides.
→ Insulation
Hempcrete has great insulation capabilities, which keep buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is also soundproof.
→ Durability
Hemp-based building materials resist pests and mold, which are frequent issues with standard building materials. Hempcrete is also non-toxic, making it suitable for both workers and tenants.
→ Energy Efficiency
Hempcrete buildings are more energy efficient, requiring fewer heating and cooling systems, resulting in lower energy usage and utility expenses.
3. Furniture Making
Hemp is a robust and durable alternative to traditional wood. It is lightweight, pest-resistant, and may be transformed into environmentally responsible, fashionable furniture. Its rapid growth makes it a renewable resource with the potential to prevent deforestation.
4. Superfood
Hemp seeds are nutrient dense, high in protein, vital fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. They are also easily digestible and may be used in a variety of products.
5. Biofuel
Hemp can be used to produce biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, making it real green alternative to fossil fuels.
6. Paper
Hemp paper is stronger and lasts longer than standard wood paper. It also uses fewer chemicals throughout the manufacturing process and may be recycled multiple times. Using hemp to make paper minimizes deforestation and the environmental impact of paper manufacturing.
7. Plastic
Hemp-based plastics are biodegradable and less hazardous to the environment than petroleum-based ones. These bioplastics are strong and versatile, making them an environmentally friendly alternative for packaging, automobile parts, and more.
8. Hemp-Derived Activated Carbons
Hemp-derived activated carbons are created from the carbon-rich material found in hemp stalks, which are then treated to produce a highly porous product. Because of its superior adsorption properties, this type of activated carbon has a wide range of uses. Here are some common applications:
→ Water purification
Hemp-derived activated carbon is extremely powerful at removing pollutants from water such as heavy metals, chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other contaminants. It is utilized in water filters for both domestic and industrial use, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to standard filtration technologies.
→ Air Filtration
Activated carbon is widely used in air purifiers and filtration systems to eliminate pollutants, smells, smoke, and hazardous gasses. Hemp-based activated carbon can be utilized in both commercial and domestic air filters, offering a sustainable and renewable solution for improving indoor air quality.
→ Gas and Vapor Filtration
Hemp-based activated carbon can be used to filter gases and vapors in industrial processes, such as food and beverage manufacturing and chemical processing plants. The porous nature of hemp-based activated carbon enables it to collect and neutralize gasses such as CO2, methane, and ammonia.
→ Bioremediation
Hemp-derived activated carbon can help clean up environmental contaminants such as oil spills, dangerous chemicals, and toxic substances in soil or water. Its capacity to absorb organic and inorganic contaminants makes it an effective material for bioremediation.
→ Healthcare Applications
Activated carbon, particularly that obtained from hemp, is occasionally used in medical therapies to treat poisoning or overdose. Its capacity to absorb poisons and toxic compounds makes it a useful treatment for gut or systemic poisoning. It can also be used in wound care products to remove toxins and microorganisms.
→ Odor Removal
Hemp-derived activated carbon is capable of absorbing odors from a variety of sources, including pet odors, food odors, and musty environments. It appears in a variety of items, including deodorizing bags, air fresheners, and shoe insoles.
→ Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Hemp-derived activated carbon can be used in the food and beverage industry to remove the color, purify, and remove contaminants from liquids including juices, spirits, and oils. It is an environmentally beneficial alternative to other types of activated carbon in certain applications.
→ Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Hemp-based activated carbon is used in beauty and skincare products such as face masks, exfoliators, and cleansers because of its detoxifying properties, which pull pollutants from the skin, promote clear skin, and enhance overall appearance.
9. Batteries
Hemp cellulose can be utilized to make long-lasting, high-efficiency batteries. Researchers are looking into hemp as an alternative material for battery electrodes, which might minimize dependency on rare minerals and provide a more environmentally friendly energy storage solution.
🪄 Hemp-based activated carbon is being investigated as a material for supercapacitors and batteries due to its high surface area and conductivity. These devices rely on carbon's ability to store electrical energy, which offers the possibility of more sustainable, efficient energy storage.
Bottom line
Hemp provides a diverse spectrum of environmentally friendly solutions across industries, including sustainable building materials, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly products. Given its versatility and benefits to both the environment and the economy, hemp should be employed significantly more than it is now. Increased investment and support in hemp research and development is critical for unlocking its full potential and building a healthier future.
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References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11124073/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7571072/
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/13/3361#
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953424001508
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0008622316301798