Hemp additives for various types of plastics will be produced on an industrial scale

Hemp raw material can be used at high temperatures without the risk of fire, making it safe to use in the manufacture of high temperature products such as plastic cups and containers. Among other things, this raw material is non-toxic, therefore it is suitable for contact with food products. Its low density makes goods made from it less expensive to transport. Hemp supplements can reduce the carbon footprint of virgin plastics by 44 percent.

The signed agreement to jointly develop new products and technologies between the biotech company Heartland and Ravago aims to promote the creation of new hemp-based supplements that will help manufacturers reduce the cost, weight and carbon footprint of recycled resins, which are the basis for the production of biocomposites. According to a press release published in the media, "The hemp fillers and fibers produced by Heartland are renewable, biodegradable and efficient."

According to a Ravago spokesman, hemp raw materials can be used at high temperatures without the risk of fire, making it safe to use in the manufacture of high-temperature products such as plastic cups and containers. Among other things, this raw material is non-toxic, therefore it is suitable for contact with food products. Its low density makes it less expensive to ship than other materials such as talc and calcium. In addition, the company's hemp additives can reduce the carbon footprint of virgin plastics by 44 percent.

Heartland said it is building America's first secure industrial hemp supply chain based on a circular economy model to supply hemp supplements to plastics manufacturers. Initially, the company will partner with farms in Michigan to produce goods that are planned for processing, distribution and use within a 300-mile radius. The company has developed a strategy whereby Heartland plans to deploy a sales network in the US that will be able to process more than 100 million pounds (about 50,000 tons) of hemp supplements, which will become available for the manufacture of biocomposite products.

According to Ravago and Heartland, both companies will continue to research and develop new products for the automotive, packaging, building materials, and a number of other promising markets.

Commentary of the specialists of the Association “Ukrainian Industrial Hemp”

Ravago is a Belgian plastics company headquartered in Luxembourg. Engaged in the distribution of polymers and chemicals, building materials, processing and compounding of plastic and elastomer raw materials. Serves over 50,000 customers worldwide at 325 locations in 55 countries. Annually Ravago supplies more than 6.6 million tons of polymers and rubbers.

Heartland has worked with Ravago to develop hemp materials as renewable additives for plastics and produce products that require no additional conversion costs for composite manufacturers and moulders.

By using carbon negative and renewable additives in plastic products such as industrial hemp, Ravago is able to offer composite products that are stronger, lighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics or composites made from fossil raw materials. Not only will these biocomposite materials have improved thermal and acoustic properties, but Heartland's hemp additives will help extend the life of Ravago's products that use recycled materials.