Hemp Plastic in Packaging: Is It the Future?

The world produces hundreds of millions of tonnes of plastic waste every year, and most of it never truly goes away. 

It simply breaks into smaller fragments that enter our oceans, food chains, and even our lungs.

The question is no longer if we need an alternative but how fast we can make the switch.

That’s where hemp plastic comes in. 

It’s not a distant, feel‑good idea. 

It’s a material that has proven that sustainability and performance can coexist. In packaging, especially, hemp plastic isn’t just the future. It’s a fact. 

Why Do We Need an Alternative to Traditional Plastics? 

For decades, traditional plastics offered convenience. But it came at the cost of a growing mountain of waste.

According to the OECD, global plastic waste generation more than doubled between 2000 and 2019, reaching 353 million tonnes. About 8 million pieces of plastic enter the ocean every single day, adding up to 12 million tonnes annually.

Beyond pollution, plastics also contribute 3.4% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, from oil extraction to incineration. Most petroleum‑based plastics last 450 to 1,000 years before decomposing.

Governments are now responding with urgency:

• The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 requires all packaging to be 70% recyclable by 2030.
• In all, 91 countries have some sort of ban on the use of plastic bags. 
  

So, the search for better materials isn’t optional anymore. It’s a necessity, right now. 

And that search leads naturally to the hemp plant and hemp plastic. 

What Makes Hemp Plastic Packaging Different? 

Hemp plastic is made from the cellulose of industrial hemp stalks. What makes hemp different is not just where it comes from, but what it gives back:

Carbon‑negative growth: Hemp plants absorb 16 to 22 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare each year. That is roughly 2-3 times more than forests. Each ton of hemp locks away about 1.6 tonnes of CO₂ during its growth cycle.

Resource‑efficient: It grows fast and needs little water or pesticide. Cultivation of hemp improves soil quality for the next crop.

Energy‑efficient manufacturing: Producing hemp plastic uses 20 to 45% less energy than petroleum 

plastics. This is because the processing temperature and pressure are lower.

In other words, hemp plastic doesn’t just reduce harm to the environment. It offers a benefit at every stage.

That makes it an ideal substitute. 

Next, let’s see how this promise holds up scientifically: Is hemp plastic packaging truly biodegradable and safe?

Is Hemp Plastic Packaging Truly Biodegradable and Safe? 

The short answer: yes. 

Hemp plastic does what traditional plastics never could and safely biodegrades. 

Certified blends of hemp biopolymers meet the best compostability standards, such as ASTM D6400 (US) and EN 13432 (EU). 

Under industrial composting conditions, hemp plastic packaging decomposes within 3 to 6 months. On the other hand, it takes centuries for petroleum-based plastics.

And when it breaks down, it doesn’t leave behind microplastics. There is only water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.

For food packaging, safety is vital. Hemp plastic packaging materials meet FDA compliance tests. They undergo migration, toxicity, and stability checks to ensure that no harmful chemicals transfer to food.

What helps is hemp’s antibacterial, mold‑resistant, and non‑toxic nature. These make it ideal for hygiene‑sensitive products like food, cosmetics, and healthcare packaging.

From Swagify

So unlike most alternatives, hemp plastic packaging delivers both eco‑credibility and functional safety. 

This is indeed a rare combination in the packaging world.

But does it actually compete on performance? Let’s compare.

How Does Hemp Plastic Packaging Compare to Other Packaging Materials? 

When you put hemp bioplastic next to other materials, the difference is striking.

Mechanically, hemp plastic packaging is two to five times stronger and five times stiffer than polypropylene. Laboratory tests show:

• Elastic modulus: up to 2.9 GPa
• Tensile strength: up to 70 MPa
• Elongation: around 4.3%

That’s performance on par with engineering‑grade plastics but without their environmental baggage.

On the carbon front, hemp is carbon‑negative, while PET and HDPE are among the highest GHG emitters in manufacturing. Even PLA and PHA, though bio‑based, still depend on resource‑intensive crops like corn and sugarcane.

In energy use, hemp plastics can require as little as 15 to 60% of the energy needed to make aluminum, bitumen‑plastic, or steel panels.

Cost‑wise, hemp was once double the price of conventional plastics ($2.35 vs $1.15 per lb in 2018). But the gap is closing fast as production scales and demand for hemp plastic packaging rises.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Where hemp shines most is in rigid and semi‑rigid packaging such as bottles, trays, and protective boxes. The combination of strength, stiffness, and compostability gives hemp plastic packaging a clear edge.

Where Is Hemp Plastic Being Used Already? 

Hemp plastic packaging is now used for bags, boxes, pouches, wraps, containers, and films. The bag segment alone held 34.8% of the market in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly 49% by 2025 as retailers replace single‑use plastic.

Rigid hemp plastic packaging, used for cosmetics, specialty foods, and luxury goods, is forecast to grow at a 11% CAGR (2025–2034).

Leading innovators like The Hemp Plastic Company, Sana Packaging, and Greenfield are supplying major brands that want hemp plastic packaging with real climate credentials.

From Hemp Foundation

Beyond packaging, hemp composites are shaping other industries, too. A few German automakers are using hemp plastic panels to cut vehicle weight. 

In construction, hempcrete panels offer insulation, recyclability, and carbon‑negative performance.

It is safe to say hemp plastic packaging has moved past prototypes. It’s scaling across sectors that demand both durability and sustainable production. 

What Is the Market Outlook for Hemp Plastic Packaging? 

The numbers here tell a very clear story. The hemp plastic packaging market is not just growing but booming.

Globally, the market for hemp-based packaging was valued at $237 million in 2024. Analysts project it will reach at least $757 million by 2034. That’s an impressive 12.4% CAGR.

Key regions where this growth will happen are:

• North America, thanks to the US Farm Bill and growing retailer adoption
• Asia-Pacific, especially China, which now accounts for nearly 38% of the global hemp packaging market
• Europe, where strict new regulations are pushing brands to adopt certified compostable packaging at scale

Food, beverage, and personal care companies are leading the adoption. But e-commerce and retail packaging are the fastest-growing sectors as brands embrace eco-friendly practices. 

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a shift that is global.

What’s Next for Hemp Plastic in Packaging? 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that innovation never stands still. Every day, research is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. 

Techniques like deep eutectic solvents and nanotechnology are being used to boost fiber quality and toughness. 

There is also the rise of circular economy packaging, where hemp bioplastics are recycled up to 8 times before composting. With climate change and pollution, there’s no time for half measures. 

The smart move for business, for the environment, for society is to embrace hemp plastic now.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is hemp plastic, and how is it made?

Hemp plastic is a plant-based material. It is created from the cellulose in the hemp fiber. Hemp plastic can be 100% made from hemp or blended with other polymers. 

Is hemp plastic packaging really biodegradable?

Under ideal composting conditions, hemp plastic packaging degrades entirely in a few short months. It decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. In a backyard composting lot, the biodegradation might take up to a year. 

Is hemp plastic safe for food?

Hemp plastic does not contain any harmful chemicals or toxic substances. It is entirely safe for food packaging and meets FDA food safety standards. 

What are the benefits of using hemp plastic packaging?

It is durable, compostable, and environmentally friendly. Unlike conventional plastics that linger on for centuries, hemp-based packaging biodegrades, leaving no trace. 

Is hemp plastic packaging water-resistant?

Like any other plant-based material, such as cotton and jute, hemp-based packaging is not naturally water-resistant. However, it is easy to make hemp plastic packaging with a coating of wax to make it water-resistant.