What is hemp fibre?
Hemp fibre refers to the long, tough, and versatile fibres extracted from the stalks of the industrial hemp plant. Hemp plants are considered an environmentally friendly crop due to the minimal water, pesticides, and herbicides needed to grow them. Additionally, hemp is very valuable when it comes to crop rotation to clean and restore soil, meaning many farmers can use it to improve the soil quality to grow other plants. As a fibre, Hemp is highly valued for its strength and durability, making it is one of the strongest natural fibres available, making it is especially suitable for applications with high durability requirements such as textiles. Additionally, these fibres possess excellent breathability capabilities, can absorb and release moisture easily, and exhibit natural antimicrobial properties.
Optimizing processing and minimizing environmental impact
Our research is focused on unlocking the potential of hemp as a substitute for traditional fibres. We aim to optimize hemp harvesting and processing methods to produce finer and longer fibres, thereby fully harnessing their benefits. Furthermore, we explore a new scalable retting method that ensures consistent fibre quality regardless of weather conditions, replacing outdated industrial processes that cause issues like dust pollution. Advanced combing techniques are being explored to obtain fibres suitable for spinning thin yarns, resulting in high-quality end products.
We also have a strong focus on minimizing water and pesticide usage in the industry, reducing their environmental impact. It seeks to optimize the entire value chain by implementing sustainable methods for dyeing and finishing processes, which in turn reduces environmental impacts associated with traditional textile processing. Furthermore, through our research, we aim to establish transparency in the textile production process, providing consumers with information about sustainable practices and ethical sourcing. By integrating these efforts, the project strives to promote the use of hemp fibres in a more sustainable and responsible manner.