From Agriculture to Clothing: The Diverse World of Hemp Products

Nutrition – Hemp seeds

Hemp seeds are one of the most nutritious substances on the planet. For every hemp seed you see, that is a tiny block containing all of:

1. The nine essential amino acids
2. Unsaturated fats which holds many health benefits
3. Fibre, and
4. Minerals and vitamins (magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, etc.)

Housing – Hempcrete

Up to 70% of the entire cannabis plant is made of a woody internal core. The plant, during growth and development, leaches silica from the soil. In combination with slaked lime, they form a chemical bond like what you would get in cement – hence the name hempcrete. It is favored for housing construction since it is fire and water proof.

Clothing – Hemp fibre

Since hemp is a highly fibrous plant, it has been embraced in the clothing industry for long. Early applications were for the making of ship sail canvasses, ropes, sacks, carpets and related items. However, the use of the hemp fibre in clothing was soon to die off. Fortunately, this application was rediscovered in the 1980s. After its resurgence, hemp clothing is now more commonplace than before.

Paper – Hemp fibre

The same thing that makes hemp suitable for clothing is what makes it a great pick for the paper manufacturing industry. Coming with a cellulose content of about 70%, there is no question as to the viability of the hemp fibre in the manufacture of paper on the large scale.

Fuel – Hemp oil, seeds and stalk

One of the most impressive use of hemp products is in the generation of biofuels. It is even more impressive in the fact that this can be done in more ways than one. On the one hand, biodiesel can be generated form the oils in the hemp seeds and stalk. Speaking of stalks, biofuels can also be made from the fibrous stalks in the plant system.

Plastic/ Composite Materials – Hemp fibre

Besides paper and clothing, hemp fibre also finds application in the manufacture of plastic and other composite materials. The basic hemp fibre is often used in combination with fiberglass, kenaf and flax to create strong composite panels. Such panels have been in use since around 2002, finding wide application in automobiles (Audi, Mercedes, Ford, GM, Honda, Saturn, Porsche, etc.).

Jewelry – Hemp twine

This might sound a little farfetched, but hemp jewelry is an actual thing. The hemp jewelry is a result of knots made with the twines of the plants, embracing different types of knotting styles to create unique designs. The most common knotting techniques are the half and full knot switches – and they can be applied to make bracelets, anklets, rings, watches, and so on.