In modern cannabis farming, the new is the well forgotten old

Taking into account the global trends towards an increase in the consumption of cellulose, as well as a significant decrease in the amount of various kinds of materials made from derivatives of fossil raw materials (polyethylene, plastic, composites, etc.), there is an acute shortage of production capacity, as well as modern technologies that would make possible on the territory of Ukraine the use of hemp raw materials as a basis for the creation of production facilities for deep processing.

It is well known that industrial hemp is a socially and ecologically safe plant, which not only minimally affects the environment, but is also one of the best phytoremediates on the planet. In addition to the fact that a hemp plant absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide during its growth, various components of industrial hemp have recently been actively used for the production of cellulose, as well as biodegradable plastics, plastics, and various kinds of composite materials. 

The governments of the EU countries have decided to gradually ban the use of plastics, polyethylene, plastic, and other materials made from fossil raw materials, which prompted a huge number of companies to return to the use of paper or biocomposite materials, including those made from hemp raw materials. 

Hemp pulp

Until the mid-30s of the last century, 70 to 95% of the world's production capacity for the production of cellulose or paper was based precisely on the use of hemp raw materials. An information company in the United States equating technical hemp with marijuana initiated the persecution of the most highly profitable agricultural crop and, accordingly, the destruction of the entire industry, first in North America, and later in almost all economically developed countries of the world.

The annual increase in the amount of wood pulp used has led to the fact that this area of ​​modern industry is already significantly affecting the ecological state of not only individual countries, but also entire regions of the planet. Today, about 93% of the paper consumed by mankind is made from wood pulp. According to some market analysts, about 40% of all wood cut in the world is used for the production of certain types of paper or cardboard. In particular, according to experts of the international independent non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace, the above figures indicate that about 15 billion trees are cut down annually in the world for the production of cellulose. 

In order for forests to be used as raw materials for the production of cellulose, trees need 20 to 40 years, and to harvest industrial hemp for similar purposes, it takes 3 to 4 months. In addition, from one unit of area, industrial hemp is capable of producing 4 times more hemp raw materials than trees can provide from a similar area. It should be borne in mind that hemp straw / trust contains up to 77% cellulose, which is significantly higher than this indicator for wood (about 50%). 

Among other things, it should be borne in mind that industrial hemp contains 3 times less lignin than wood. The above substance imparts a yellowish tint to the paper and creates conditions under which paper made from wood pulp becomes brittle. That is why the process of making paper from wood pulp involves the use of significant amounts of chlorine, which removes lignin from the wood raw material. This kind of technology is not environmentally friendly and often during the operation of these industries, all the surroundings are significantly polluted. Unlike the above technology, during the bleaching of "hemp paper" hydrogen peroxide is used - a substance that practically does not affect the environmental situation in the environment of such industries. 

Biocomposite materials based on hemp raw materials

Since ancient times, hemp raw materials have been used for the manufacture or storage of various kinds of vessels, so it is not surprising that modern technologies of degradable PET bottles are based on the use of the physical and biological properties of the hemp plant. Recent trends in the market indicate that fossil or synthetic raw materials are being actively replaced. Modern technologies make it possible to produce various types of plastics, plastics, polyethylene from natural raw materials, which have similar or better characteristics.

As raw materials for biocomposite materials, which, after the expiration of their period of operation, are disposed of without significant impact on the environment, they are actively used as hemp seeds, fiber, fire and even root, as well as their derivatives. For example, there are already technologies for the production of biocomposite materials, which are based on the properties of hemp oil. It is used to make bioplastic, which decomposes 100% in just 80 days. Such biocomposite materials are already produced by such companies as Hemp Plastic Company (Colorado, USA). The production capacity is currently almost 500 tons of "hemp plastic" per week. Analysis of this market suggests that bioplastics currently occupy about 5% of the world market, but it is expected that in just 10 years this figure will reach 40%.

Commentary of experts of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"

In our country, all capacities that produce paper, cardboard, corrugated packaging, etc., operate on imported wood raw materials. Taking into account the global trends towards an increase in the consumption of cellulose, as well as a significant decrease in the amount of various kinds of materials made from derivatives of fossil raw materials (polyethylene, plastic, composites, etc.), there is an acute shortage of production capacity, as well as modern technologies that would make possible on the territory of Ukraine the use of hemp raw materials as a basis for the creation of production facilities for deep processing. Investing financial resources, quite small by global standards, will create the necessary conditions for replacing imported wood raw materials and filling the national and foreign markets with an inexpensive quality product. That is why the above issues were considered during the round table “Hemp fiber - problems and prospects of its use in Ukraine”, held for the listeners of the 5th issue of “Hemp University”.