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Fibre »

There is great interest nationally in fibre uses. However fibre production opportunities are closely tied to processing capabilities which are very limited. Interesting markets under development include non wovens, composites, building materials, animal bedding, pulp and paper products. Textiles represents a technically challenging scenario ~ but thanks to R&D, "Dirt to Shirt" production in Canada may soon emerge as an opportunity.

A rising demand for alternatives to wood and synthetic fibres, as well as high costs of petroleum products, points towards hemp's future potential in a variety of industries and applications

Each plant is made up of approximately 30% bast fibre, 60% hurd, and 10% chaff.

Fibre production includes unique challenges and processes. Some of these include:

Retting

Retting is the process of separating hemp's outer bast and core fibres. As a form of controlled biological decomposition, retting is a hands-on process that involves leaving swathed fibre in the field, which is then turned to advance the even decomposition of fibre. Retting weakens the chemical bonds of the fibre allowing decortication. Enzyme based and water retting are two others methods that have been used. Poor retting can impact fibre quality and fibre yield and is a challenge for new growers.

Decortication/fibre separation

Good quality decortication is a challenging process and research is ongoing into machinery and other methods to reduce the cost of this traditionally mechanical process. Steam explosion, detergents, force methods and ultrasound are other possible methods for decortication. The quality of fibre separation determines what markets can be entered. The principle manufacturers of decortication lines are located in Europe.

Standards

Not all fibre is created equal.

End users require fibre to meet specific parameters in order to be usable. Examples includes fibre length, cleanliness and modulus. There are currently no uniform sector standards, so in practice, fibre standards are developed between processor and end user.

Logistics

Hemp bales are bulky in volume and economically, can only be transported a limited distance from field and factory.

Collection, transport and storage of fibre can greatly affect fibre quality and final yield at plant. Hemp processing plants must also evaluate the land base they are drawing their fibre from.

Which fibre?

As has been said, hemp has two kinds of fibre, bast and core, which are used in very different applications. Generally speaking, the inner, wood-like core fibres go to "low end" uses, such as bedding and hemp concrete while the outer bast fibres go to more demanding, better paying and demanding technical markets. One economic analysis of hemp industry fibre development is that both kinds of fibres must be produced and sold in parallel ~ therefore growth of low end markets, must proceed in pace with the development of higher end markets.

At current levels of production, hemp fibre cannot economically compete with other waste fibres, such as straw or wood, to create certain products, such as biofuels and fibreboard. Rather, hemp's value will likely be recognised first in technical products that demand specific fibre quality, such as replacing fibreglass in modern manufacturing.

The best fibre quality comes from hemp that has been produced as dedicated fibre and not allowed to produce seed. So-called dual use hemp crops, involving both fibre and grain harvested from the same crop, may be an attractive scenario for hemp oilseed/grain producers, but is should be recognised that the higher end fibre markets may be closed to them.

Valuation of hemp fibre can range between 50$ to 500$ and up a ton, depending on quality.

One of the challenges of the modern hemp industry is that because of prohibition, hemp was deprived of capital and time needed to develop the infrastructure to process the harvested raw material into usable raw material. Compared to other resources, we are playing catch up.