Hemp is undoubtedly one of the most durable fibers available, but its production has been discouraged (and banned) because of its close resemblance to marijuana (also commonly known as the pot). The truth is that its chemical is used as a narcotic. The rest of the components of hemp are very useful and are being used in several ways in various industries.
Hemp fiber made from the hemp plant is way better than other alternatives in many ways. Some people tend to confuse it with other materials, but in reality, fiber from the Cannabis plant is being used for 10,000 years. Hemp clothes dated from 8000BC are proven to exist.
The plant named Cannabis sativa (aka hemp) is being employed in a number of industrial uses. Efforts are underway to legalize its mass production because of its immense benefits.
Reasons That Make Hemp Fiber Better:
- Protection of the wearer:
Since these fibers are made from a plant, they protect the wearer from water and sun. It does not absorb water so you can be safe from any spilling, and alongside it absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, keeping the wearer safe. So, hemp fiber can save you from the scorching sun and pouring rain.
- Durability and strength:
Fibers made from hemp are durable and reliable; also, at the same time, they are also very lightweight and comfortably breathable. Strength combined with lightweight material makes it suitable for use in a variety of fabrics.
After spinning, the material becomes coarse and slightly thick, which makes it suitable for a number of industrial uses. For use as a fabric, it is spun in such a way that it becomes mold resistant and very able to withstand damage or tearing down.
- Sustainable material:
Talking in terms of sustainability, hemp is a perfect choice for the environment too. It not only absorbs more CO2 but also produces more oxygen. There are no waste materials, and every part of this crop can be recycled, so this is a very sustainable choice.
- Organic crop:
Growing hemp plants puts a lesser strain on the ecosystem. It does not require fertilizers or pesticides for growth and turns out to be a fully organic crop. A full harvest of hemp needs half water than that required by the cotton crop. There are no by-products as all components of hemp can be used for industrial purposes.
Additionally, the crop can be harvested roughly three times in a year, because hemp gets ready much quicker (in roughly 3 to 4 months), thus causing lesser strain on land and environment. Once the crop has been harvested, the land can be immediately used for growing the next crop of hemp without needing an in-between break.
The growing space requirement is also quite low, so it can be easily grown in compact spaces while increasing the yield. So, the farmers can have a good yield throughout the year, with up to 3 harvests of hemp n a calendar year.
- Range of industrial uses:
The use of hemp is not limited to fiber only; rather, it is being used in industrial production of a number of practical uses like shoes, insulation, paper, ropes, and even biofuel. Since 2000 years, hemp is being used for paper production, thus saving countless trees.
- Withstands wear and tear:
Strength is one of the most significant plus points of Cannabis sativa. It is sturdier than materials like wool or cotton. So, fibers manufactured from hemp are able to withstand wear and tear a lot better.
- Pairing up with others
Another significant advantage of hemp is that it can be used in combination with other fiber materials. So, combining it with other materials in proportionate amounts will result in the right qualities that the manufacturers are seeking.
- Profitable produce
Despite being ecologically feasible, the production of hemp is economically viable too. Farmers and producers can earn a good share of profits from this crop. As mentioned earlier, it cuts down other expenses like water and pesticides, making it less of a hassle to grow it. The soil also improves with each harvest, allowing a good crop in next season.
There are many other advantages of using hemp fiber. It is a win-win situation for everyone; right from the grower to the wearer, everyone benefits from using hemp as a fiber.
References
Clarke, R. C., & Merlin, M. D. (2013). Cannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany. California: University of California Press.
Hemp Business Journal. (2020). The U.S. Hemp Industry grows to $820mm in sales in 2017. Retrieved from Hemp Biz Journal: https://www.hempbizjournal.com/size-of-us-hemp-industry-2017/
Hemp Gazette. (2020). How Hemp Fibre Is Produced. Retrieved from Hemp Gazette: https://hempgazette.com/industrial-hemp/hemp-fiber-production/
Hemp News. (2020). Why should farmers grow hemp? Retrieved from CRRH Hemp News: http://www.crrh.org/cannabis
Musio, S., Müssig, J., & Amaducci, S. (2018, November 23). Optimizing Hemp Fiber Production for High Performance Composite Applications. Retrieved from Frontiers In: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01702/full
Recreator. (2017, July 12). Hemp 101: A Traditional Method of Hemp Textile Production. Retrieved from Recreator: https://recreator.org/blogs/hemp-101/hemp-101-a-traditional-method-of-hemp-textile-production