What is hemp?
Hemp, known scientifically as Cannabis sativa, is a naturally abundant crop that is praised for its diverse applications. Unlike many crops, every part of the hemp plant has value. Grown for both industrial or medicinal use, hemp has become a valuable crop for many countries. It is commonly added to cosmetics, body lotions, and dietary supplements. Hemp can also be used to make plastics, oil, housing, paper, and personal hygiene products.
Hemp fibers are durable, renewable, extremely versatile, especially when blended with other natural or synthetic fibers. This makes hemp fiber a great choice for all kinds of different apparel, including lounge wear, outerwear, and almost everything in between.
What are the sustainable advantages of hemp?
Hemp is argued to be one of the most environmentally friendly fibers. It’s a renewable fiber, meaning that its plant can grow quickly and plentifully in a short amount of time.
Hemp can grow abundantly without pesticides or fertilizers. As a result, farmers can avoid the use of harmful agricultural chemicals if they wish to.
The crop requires little water. Farmers do not have to irrigate their crops with water from outside sources.
Hemp is known to have a beneficial effect on soil. The crop can replenish the soil of vital nutrients. Farmers can grow hemp repeatedly on the same land without worrying about depleting the soil. It is common to use hemp as a “rotation crop” to aid soil between growing crops.
What are the advantages of hemp fabrics?
8x stronger than cotton
Breathable
Comfortable during all seasons
UV resistant
Mildew and insect resistant
Hypoallergenic
Softens after wash and wear
What are the disadvantages of hemp fabrics?
Strength weakens when wet
Scratchy hand (before textile is washed or worn)
Difficult to dye
Prone to wrinkle
Retting, the extraction process of hemp fibers from stems, can have a harmful impact on the environment
Based on the sustainable advantages of hemp fiber, why isn’t it more commonly used?
They’re are many reasons why hemp isn’t used more commonly in the USA. Due to its association with marijuiana, the production and use of hemp has been intensely regulated in the USA. Today, we are largely dependent on imports of hemp fibers and fabrics. In 2014, the Farm Bill of 2013 was signed into law. This bill allowed universities and state departments of agriculture to grow hemp in states where it was legal to grow hemp for research. Four years later, an amendment to the Farm Bill removed hemp from the controlled substance list. As a result, it was finally legal to grow industrial hemp in the USA in 2018. Because of this, hemp fiber is a relatively new option for designers who are choosing which natural materials to incorporate into their designs.
In 2018, hemp (sort of) became a brand-new crop for farmers. The USA has had to spend the last couple of years building the American hemp industry by establishing supply chains and creating technologies for large-scale hemp production. The complicated history of hemp in the USA is one of the reasons why hemp fiber isn't more commonly used. However, as the hemp industry continues to grow, that notion about hemp fiber may change. Especially, as brands across industries shift into more sustainable missions and start sourcing more sustainable materials as a result.
Are you sourcing a hemp fabric? Keep an eye out for:
Organic hemp fabrics certified by the The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Hemp fabrics that are made from fiber extracted using the Dew Retting method. Dew Retting is more natural and environmentally friendly. Read more about Dew Retting here.
Naturally colored hemp fabrics. It is common to remove the natural color of hemp fibers and artificially re-color them. Try finding a hemp fabric that is still its natural color.