Fibers and roots of the hemp plant
In this article we introduce the main part of the hemp plant: the stem and roots. We will explain how versatile the fiber can be and which (undiscovered) potential lies within the roots of the plant. Industrial hemp is normally used for fiber production (type: Cannabis sativa). The plant can grow up to five meters and so has the ideal requirements for a relatively high output of fibers. Hemp fibers are used as raw material for textiles, ropes and many other materials. The stems of mostly all species can be used as raw material as biomass can be won from every hemp plant.
Where does the fiber come from? The fibers are enclosed within the stem (stalk) in circles. In the stem´s outer region they are lined up in several layers as bundles. These outer fibers are also called primary fibers and in comparison to secondary fibers they are longer. The latter grow at a later stage in order to stabilize and make the plant stronger. The gender of a plant also defines the composition and quality of the fibers. Males have more primary fibers and are thus thinner. They are more suitable for finer textiles. In comparison, the fibers of the female plant are sturdier and are rather used for heavier fabrics and materials.
When fibers break from the hemp, different fibers and waste products emerge, which can be recycled and reused. This makes the hemp plant so special: every part from head to toe can be used, the possible usages are endless and still not discovered to the fullest. The process of retting fibers produces waste such as long fibers (100 mm), short fibers (40–100 mm), super short fibers (less than 20 mm) and shives. These components can be used for a variety of materials and produce, which we will explain in more detail.
Thousands of different usages
In 2018 the farm bill initiated the legalization of industrial hemp in the US. Experts are since expecting a boom of this particular industry. International industries source hemp from China and Canada. Industrial hemp is also legal and regulated in Europe. The majority of the European hemp is produced in France (17,360 hectares in 2017). More and more farmers realize how much potential the plant actually has as a field crop. Even manufacturers have recognized that hemp is an important and sustainable alternative to all the conventional products. Nowadays hemp fibers are used most commonly in the following areas:
- Textiles and clothing: a lot of different fabrics are made of hemp fibers. Hemp is a breathable material and has an antibacterial effect. Clothes made of hemp fiber can feel quite stiff, but they soften over time and become more comfortable. With cotton fiber the effect is the exact opposite. Hemp is also used as an invisible ingredient, e.g. as fibers in shoe soles. It is also a popular fabric for canvases, cords or ropes.
- Paper: Hemp fiber can even be used for paper production. Hemp is very popular for cigarette papers or as non-tear material for notes but it is less used in production of printing paper. Only special manufacturers use hemp for manufacturing printing paper. It is surprising, that hemp paper is not commonly used as it grows 30 times faster than tress and its yield is four times higher on the same cropland. Fun fact: The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America and the first Gutenberg bible have both been printed on hemp paper.
- Insulation and building material: hemp is one of the most economic, ecological and sustainable raw material for insulation and construction. Depending on the season, hemp has the ability to regulate the temperature within the house in a natural way. Hemp is a sustainable raw material and as a natural product it can easily be disposed of and recycled. But as already mentioned, hemp is also getting more and more popular as a building material. Mix the shives with chalk and you get a so-called “hemp crete”, concrete made of hemp. Some people have even gone so far and built a whole house out of hemp, as it is a material which can be combined and used in many different ways.
Those are not the only usages for hemp. Here is a list of what can be made from the hemp´s stem and all the great products which are already available:
- Pressed parts for the car industry
- Ropes and industrial fabric
- Litter for rodents and smaller animals
- Litter and food for livestock
- Fiber-reinforced polymers e.g. for surf boards or skate boards
- Biodegradable polymer for packaging and plastic products
- and many more
The roots: underrated and less used
The roots are the most underrated part of the hemp plant. Hemp is a so-called deep rooter plant. It has a wide and deep network of roots (50–80 cm within the ground). This makes hemp the perfect catch crop, meaning it is very attractive for strained ground as its roots can loosen the dirt and create root channels. The potential of roots is even greater than most people think, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is even used in cosmetics nowadays. Similar to the ginseng root, the hemp roots can be freshly prepared as a paste or tea, dried and made into powder or preserved in alcohol for a root tincture. In theory you could even make juice out of the hemp´s roots. Hemp roots taste rather bitter and contain a very small amount of cannabinoids and terpenes among some other necessary ingredients. Due to the ingredient friedelin, a triterpenoid chemical compound, the roots have an antioxidant effect and a protective effect on the liver. If you want to use hemp root further for one of the above uses, it is important that the plants are not treated with fertilizers or artificial nutrients. In order to be even more environmentally friendly, you can compost the roots and reuse for other plants.
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