h𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 h𝗲𝗺𝗽
- Eric Gratacap
- Oct 17, 2024
- 2 min read
Hemp, once a staple crop in the 1800s, was stifled by the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act in the US over its ties to marijuana. Now, it's making a comeback as a sustainable substitute for conventional construction materials, prized for its fire resistance, mold prevention, and moisture control. Hemp is reclaiming its status as an eco-friendly building powerhouse.
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀:
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Industrial hemp absorbs between 8 to 15 tonnes of CO2 per hectare of cultivation, outperforming forests which typically capture 2 to 6 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year. Hemp continues this carbon sequestration throughout its lifespan.
𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: One hectare of hemp can produce the same amount of paper as four hectares of trees, highlighting its potential to reduce deforestation.
𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Hemp grows astoundingly quickly, reaching maturity in just 4 months, in stark contrast to trees that can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
𝗘𝗰𝗼-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hemp's cultivation is kind to our planet. It requires significantly less water than many crops, and its natural ability to deter pests eliminates the need for environmentally harmful pesticides.
𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻:
𝟭. 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲: A mixture of the dried woody core of hemp stalks and a lime-based binder, hempcrete can be cast similarly to concrete. Unlike concrete, which contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, hempcrete sequesters CO2, capturing around 307 kilograms of CO2 per cubic meter.
𝟮. 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀: A sustainable alternative to CMU, hemp blocks incorporate the benefits of hempcrete but are pre-formed for ease of construction.
𝟯. 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿: With the ability to replace wood-based paper, hemp paper offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative.
𝟰. 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀: Used for interior finishes and furnishings, hemp textiles are durable, sustainable, and eco-friendly.
𝟱. 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Leveraging hemp's insulative properties, hemp-based insulation is not only effective but also environmentally friendly. With its ability to trap and hold air, hemp insulation offers exceptional thermal resistance.
The future of construction is green, and hemp is at the forefront of this revolution. As researchers and builders delve deeper into its potential, we're poised to see even more innovations that benefit not only our buildings but also our planet.
