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B) Composite Fibres:
Natural fiber composites are emerging as a realistic alternative to wood-filled and glass-reinforced composites, especially in automobiles. They can deliver the same performance at lower weights, or be 25-30% stronger at the same weight. Moreover, they exhibit a favorable non-brittle fracture on impact, another important requirement in the passenger compartment.The aerospace and aviation industries are also attracted to natural fibers due to the reduced toxicity of synthetic substances when they burn.
HA-03: HURDS
Hurds from the woody core of the stalks, and the bulk of that stalk, can be used for paper, animal bedding, oil absorbent, soil amendment, chemicals, plastics, & fuels (ethanol, methane, co-firing with coal), etc.
A)Paper:
During the processing of hemp, a large quantity of waste material is produced. It was recognized rather early that this material could be used as a feedstock for papermaking. In fact, the strength and fold endurance exceeded a typical wood-based material produced at that time. The fiber yield from the hurds ranged between 35 and 44%, which, when corrected for the weight of dirt, corresponds to 38 to 47% yield.
B) Plastics:
Hemp hurds also serve as a renewable source of raw material for the production of plastics, and are much cleaner and more environmentally attractive than petroleum.
C)Fuels:
Use of the hemp hurds as a biomass for fuel production is attractive for a number of reasons:
Biomass-produced fuels, animal feeds and industrial chemicals are economically competitive. Unlike ethanol mixtures, mixed alcohol fuels ship compatibly with gasoline in pipelines, Chemicals produced from biomass are all oxygenates, which are difficult to produce from oxygen-free petroleum. Introducing oxygen into petroleum increases risk of explosion, compared to the inherent safety of biomass oxygenates.
The Contribution of Biomass-derived fuels to global warming is very minimal compared to fossil fuels because of the carbon dioxide cycles, the CO2 released to the atmosphere during biomass combustion, is offset by the CO2 taken from the atmosphere (through photosynthesis) by the plants used to create the biomass.
HEMP APPLICATIONS
The three primary components of Industrial Hemp, seeds, fiber, and hurds have a multitude of beneficial industrial uses (historical, current, and potential)
HA-01: SEEDS
The seeds are a highly nutritious food for both humans and animals, and yield hempseed oil for nutrition, soaps, cosmetics, paints, varnishes, etc.
A) Food:
Hemp oil is mostly valued for its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). At 80%, the hempseed oil contains the highest concentration of total PUFAs in the plant kingdom, the majority of which are the two essential fatty acids (EFA) linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). Its balanced EFA ratio, which closely matches human nutritional requirements, makes hemp oil a suitable ingredient in a variety of food, supplement and personal care products. Added to the value of hemp oil is the presence of a rare fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is used to treat ailments such as neurodermatitis, arthritis and premenstrual syndrome.
B) Chemicals:
Like flax seed oil (also called linseed oil) or cottonseed oil, hempseed oil can be processed into a number of valuable products such as biodiesel, soaps, cosmetics, paints varnishes, etc.
HA-02: FIBRE
The durable natural fiber from the stalks can be used for textiles, clothing, canvas, rope, cordage, for archival grade paper, & composite fibers replacing heavier toxic fibers (e.g. fiberglass), and building materials made with recycled plastic and fiber.
A) Textiles, Rope & Cordage:
The strength, absorbency and comfort of hemp fiber is unmatched by any other natural fiber. Historically, hemp rope and canvas was extensively used on large sailing ships due to its strength, resistance to salt water rot and UV resistance. In the recent times hemp textiles are increasingly viewed as an environmentally sound alternative to cotton and dominate the alternative natural fiber market in clothing and fashion wear. Due to its porosity and absorbency, hemp fabrics take dyeing very well, and are compatible with natural mineral and plant based dyes.
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HEMP APPLICATIONS
Hemp Biology and Botany
