Uses of Hemp

About Hemp

Hemp is a better alternative to traditionally used products, both economically and environmentally.

1. HempBuild + lime = hempcrete = carbon-neutral buildings
HempBuild hemp shiv can be mixed with lime to create hempcrete, a carbon-neutral building
material that locks co2 into a building during curing and then remains embodied within the
building for the whole of its lifetime. A hempcrete building is breathable, has very good thermal
insulation properties and is energy efficient. Hempcrete is non-toxic and resistant to mould,
insects and fire.
One hectare (2.5 acres) will produce enough HempBuild to build a medium-sized house and it
grows in just one summer.

2. HempBedz animal bedding
HempBedz animal bedding is the woody core of the hemp plant, chopped and de-dusted, it is
suitable for all animals and pets. Canaries, budgies, parrots, hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles,
rabbits, hens, dogs, cows, pigs and horses are a few examples of pets and animals that are
enjoying the benefits of a luxurious, warm and dust-free hemp bed. Their owners appreciate
the ease and convenience of HempBedz too.
HempBedz can also be used as a mulch in your garden

3. HempLogz
Nothing goes to waste – we gather all the small bits of hemp shiv and fibre that fall out of our
processing plant and feed it into our briquetting machine to make HempLogz – a fuel for log
burning stoves. They will keep you warm all winter.

4. HempGrow
HempGrow is a growing mat made from hemp fibre suitable for growing microgreens, using as
a mulch mat or lining hanging baskets.

5. Hemp loft insulation
Hemp fibre is used to produce IndiTherm® loft insulation batts, a natural and kinder alternative
to fibreglass. Being 100% bio-based, there are no risks of toxic off-gassing into indoor air. The
insulation can be cut with a blade or shears and is harmless and safe to handle as it contains no
irritating fibres. Building occupants will benefit from the exceptional thermal, acoustic and
moisture buffering properties of this truly sustainable material. It has the added property of
low-density heat storage, reducing heating needs by storing and releasing heat passively.
K value 0.038 W/m.k

6. HempWood
HempWood floor panels, just launched in the U.S.A., are an eco-friendly flooring option for
those who are renovating their home and looking for a more sustainable alternative to
hardwood. The flooring is made from compressed hemp shiv sealed with an adhesive that’s
soy-based. The product is focused on copying the hardness, stability and density of oak, and is
reported to have a 20% higher density when compared to traditional wood.
HempWood is suitable to replace traditional solid hardwoods in most products and processes.
Some current HempWood applications include consumer goods, cutting boards, flooring
material, raw “wood” boards, tabletops, and more!

7. Hemp is a superfood
Hemp is possibly the most important plant on earth. Its fatty acid and amino acid profiles are
identically aligned with human DNA, so as a food source, it contains protein, omega-3 fatty
acids and dietary fibre in perfect proportions to our nutritional needs.
Hemp seeds, regarded as a superfood, have a nutty flavour. Delicious eaten raw or sprinkled on
breakfast cereals or salads A variety of foods, including hemp seed butter, hemp seed energy
bars, hemp oil and even hemp seed milk are widely available. Hemp seed protein can be used
to produce virtually any product made from soybean: tofu, veggie burgers, butter, cheese,
salad oils, ice cream, milk, etc. Hemp seed can also be ground into a nutritious flour that can be
used to produce baked goods such as pasta, cookies, and bread.
Nutritious & delicious hemp seed oil, nature’s most perfectly balanced oil is rich in Vitamin E,
GLA, and Omega 3, 6 and 9, in a form more easily digested by the body than any other plant oil.
Hemp seed oil is perfect for cooking or salads.

8. Hemp clothes and textiles
Hemp has been used as a fabric since time immemorial. As a textile, hemp is durable and long-lasting.
A new cottonization process softens the fibre to make it look and, more importantly, feel almost
indistinguishable from cotton. This new process requires much less water than is needed to process
cotton. Hemp fibre is naturally antibacterial and, when combined with wool, is fire retardant.
Cotton requires large quantities of pesticides and herbicides as it grows – 50% of the world’s
pesticides/herbicides are used in the production of cotton. Hemp requires no pesticides, no
herbicides and only moderate amounts of fertilizer and water.

9. Hemp for health and beauty
Hemp oil is used in the production of many health and beauty products including hemp
creams, balms, salves, lotions, moisturisers, soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
Clinical trials have shown that both the Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids present in hempseed oil
can help dry skin sufferers and may be beneficial for sufferers of eczema and psoriasis.

10. Hemp bio-fuel
Hemp can be made into two types of fuel; biodiesel and ethanol.
Biodiesel is produced by pressing hemp seeds to extract their oils & fats and further processing them to
make it into a usable hemp biofuel for your car.
Hemp also has great potential to become a major source of ethanol, which is traditionally used as an
additive to petrol. Using hemp as the main source of ethanol, instead of food crops like wheat & corn
has clear advantages.
Hemp could be an important ingredient in the manufacture of paint, varnish, detergent, ink
and lubricating oil.

11. Hemp plastic
Hemp cellulose can be extracted and used to make cellophane, rayon, celluloid and a range of
related plastics. Hemp is known to contain around 65-70% cellulose which is and is considered
a good source that has particular promise due to its relative sustainability and low
environmental impact. Hemp plastics are lightweight yet durable, and they are entirely
biodegradable. Even better, hemp plastics do not contain the chemicals found in regular
plastics which can be harmful to health. Using hemp plastics is an environmentally safe and
healthy choice to make.
Henry Ford famously built a car out of hemp & soy plastic in the early 1940s, and Lotus recently
did the same. In 2008, the Lotus Eco Elise used hemp in its composite body panels and spoiler,
and many car manufacturers have since switched to hemp composites for door panels,
columns, seat backs, boot linings, floor consoles and instrument panels. Hemp composites are
stronger, lighter and cheaper than fibreglass and carbon fibre — plus, they’re recyclable!

12. Use Hemp paper and save trees
Hemp pulp has been used to make paper for at least 2,000 years.
The quality of hemp paper is far superior and longer lasting than tree-based paper. Many old
documents and books have survived because they were printed on hemp paper. Also, many
famous oil paintings were made on to hemp paper – canvas.
Hemp pulp has a higher cellulose concentration than wood pulp and produces stronger paper
without depleting the environment. Hemp paper is naturally much brighter than tree-based
paper, so the paper does not need to be chemically bleached. Tree-based paper uses chlorine
bleaching, which releases a toxin called dioxin into the air. Hemp paper can be made with
soy-based binders rather than chemical binders that release formaldehyde, another chemical
harmful to the environment and to humans.
All types of paper products can be produced from hemp from tissue paper to cardboard.